How to.... win the battle on Philips head screws

[jensen]

Hi,

In the past there is a lot said and written about the Philips head screws Honda used in almost all there engines. Everyone who wrench on these bikes and engine know how hard it can be to get them unstuck in a decent and not frustrating way. Since a few years I have found the ultimate way to win almost every battle with these screws. In most cases I save the screws so I can re-use them, saves money and the bike and engine stays original.

What I DON'T use :

Hammer
Impact driver
Chisel
File
Curse

What I DO use :

Patience
A diamond coated quality Philips head screw driver
Force

The reasons I don’t use hammers and impact drivers are that you will (can) ruin the brittle threads in the old and oxidized aluminium. The reason I don’t use chisels and files are that I want to re-use the bolts and screws so the bike / engine is as original as possible.

So, how do I do it ??

I use a diamond tipped Philipshead screw driver from a good (German) brand, some force and sometimes a little penetrating oil.
I pictured the step by step process in this thread. So I suggest, buy a good screwdriver and try it at home !

Jensen

Btw, sometimes I spray every screw and bolt with a little penetrating oil, and let it soak for a week or two, it always helps.

[jensen]

and

[jensen]

and :

[G-Man]

Jensen

Good stuff!

I use a Tee handle screwdriver and always try to move the screws by tightening them a little first. This means that you have a fresh surface in the screwhead to undo it once you have it moving. Like you I try and support the engine and often put it on its side so that I can use my weight vertically.

On my 1962 Dream motor I soaked all my screws for about 6 months and got them all undone without damage. I do occasionally use an impact driver but it requires a good technique with a steady blow from a quite heavy hammer.

Patience and careful thought are your friends...

G

[Mike Mullins]

Going to Sears may be the first trip I take on my new (new to me) Goldwing trike next week. Wonder if they have a diamond tip screwdriver.
Thanks for the tip. Wish I'd seen this a LONG time ago. I have a bucket of unusable phillips head screws.
Mikeyrx

[conbs]

Jensen,

Interesting post and it got me thinking. Diamond coated screw drivers..... Hmmmm.

You, know as I have gotten older my I find I have a little trouble on the toilet because things seem... stuck. Do you think a diamond coated toilet seat would help move things along? Or perhaps a gold plated seat?

Just kidding, Jensen. This is a great post. I have been one who has used an impact driver and even an 18v. Ryobi. I had not thought about the issue of damaging oxidized threads. I have run across damaged threads on a couple of screw holes, but thought it might have been caused by a PO being too rough or cross threading. I haven't noticed evidence of the case disentegrating on the screw threads, but maybe I wasn't looking for the right thing. I have tried to use finesse, but you have encouraged me that I need to be even more careful.

G, I really like your idea of tightening a little before loosening and will try it. I echo what others say about the penetrating oil. Try the 50/50 acetone and ATF.

Again, Jensen thanks for a great post.

[305nutt]

snap on also makes good screwdrivers with fluted tips. They work great.