Exhaust Stud Extractors

[Skub]

Are Triumph especially bad in this regard,or is it just because we've seen a couple of examples on here recently? I've ridden plenty of Japanese bikes in all weathers,including some right old shitters,but the above example seems right up there in terms of poor quality or utter neglect.

[mangocrazy]

Are Triumph especially bad in this regard,or is it just because we've seen a couple of examples on here recently? I've ridden plenty of Japanese bikes in all weathers,including some right old shitters,but the above example seems right up there in terms of poor quality or utter neglect.

Don't know the answer to that, but I'd suggest that efficiency (or otherwise) of mudguard and whether or not the header studs are directly in the line of fire of road crud would probably have the most to do with it.

[Druid]

Are Triumph especially bad in this regard,or is it just because we've seen a couple of examples on here recently? I've ridden plenty of Japanese bikes in all weathers,including some right old shitters,but the above example seems right up there in terms of poor quality or utter neglect.

This is my 2010 Speed Triple



I've seen much worse on a VFR750

[the_priest]

Are Triumph especially bad in this regard,or is it just because we've seen a couple of examples on here recently? I've ridden plenty of Japanese bikes in all weathers,including some right old shitters,but the above example seems right up there in terms of poor quality or utter neglect.

Erm, my Triumph is 21 years old, on original headers and studs and ridden in all weather for 59k miles. So a bit of wear and tear and corrosion is to be expected I would think... I've had to replace lots of bits and pieces due to corrosion and expected this due to how the bike has been ridden.

[ace llani]

I have found the best way to remove them is to weld a nut on and unscrew them while red hot.

Bring/send it here if you are able...

This is the only way that stands a decent chance of working. Stud extractors are a nightmare and will only make matters worse when they break. Avoid.

From what you say, all studs are still complete and not broken off? If so that gives you a better chance of success. The problem is corrosion between dissimilar metals (steel stud, aluminium cylinder head) and they effectively weld themselves together over time, heat cycles and corrosion. It's the fierce heat from the welding process that breaks the bond that has developed and allows you to unscrew the stud using the nut that's been welded on. As Screwdriver says, do this while it's still cherry red and before it cools down.

If it were me I'd remove everything in the vicinity including the radiator and especially any bodywork that could get damaged by sparks from the welding process.

Good advice. Only thing I'd add is, when it's red hot and ready to move, don't just turn anti clockwise to remove - rock back and forth an eighth of a turn a couple of times.

[ace llani]

I have found the best way to remove them is to weld a nut on and unscrew them while red hot.

Bring/send it here if you are able...

this is the absolute correct answer.

please dont make things worse by trying anything esle

[ace llani]

Have you snapped all 6 studs? If not do you need to remove them all?

ISTR there's a problem putting SS with Aluminium, they weld together. You didn't say what the new studs are made of.

mix any metals and you get a galvanic reaction.

[ZRX61]

Crikey, recently had the pipes off the ZRX. 120,000 miles, 23 years & ridden in all weathers... However, our version of all weathers differs to yours...




So, how did you get on?

[the_priest]

Umming and arrring means the MOT has expired and road tax is about to. Also insurance.... so I need to get this sorted somehow... but I've two funerals in the next 5 days, a sermon to write for Sunday, visits to a family who suffered bereavement and much more besides. the bike can go SORN, layup insurance and then I wait for warmer weather and time to sort it. I've got a trickle charger, so battery will be safe.

[ZRX61]

In that case start spraying the studs & nuts with AeroKroil every couple of days. You can get it in the UK. It's what WD40 wants to be when it grows up (which you will never buy again).

https://www.lasaero.com/products/article/K01MPW8WV

[ZRX61]

I've just become aware of spiffy spray goop called Free All which is a rust eater & penetrating snot. Apparently this stuff has been around for 40 years. I'll be adding a can to the stash.
Allegedly rivals AeroKroil & might actually be better. Not sure if it's available in the UK. Silver/blue can.

It says " Penetrates rust, scale and corrosion to free parts and assemblies instantly
Loosens red and white lead, tar, grease, carbon and graphite deposits
Will free up all threaded pipe connections, rusted machine screws, bolts, nuts, clamps for mufflers and tail pipes, pillow blocks, universal joints and locks
Contains no silicones, making it safe in paint and shop environments
No more torching, drilling, hammering or chiseling"

[mangocrazy]

PlusGas is readily available in the UK, as is Wurth Rost Off Ice, both of which are genuine penetrating/easing fluids.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Loosens red and white lead, tar, grease, carbon and graphite deposits

How does it know what colour the cables are?

[ZRX61]

Gonna buy some Free All this week as I have some adjustables that a workman left in the bottom of the swamp cooler before I discovered them a year later laying in the water. They've had two soaks in vinegar & a wire wheeling, they look a lot better but the turny part to move the jaws is still rusted solid. I should have taken a *before* pic...

I don't need them, will never use them, but I want them to work again. (same mentality that got me 50+ bench vises)

[mangocrazy]

Have you tried soaking them in citric acid solution (a lot stronger than vinegar)? That has freed up everything rusted solid I've thrown at it. Keeping the solution warm/hot speeds things up (just like you learned in chemistry lessons...)

[the_priest]

I've used this stuff on the studs and will keep soaking them.
BLASTER CHEMICAL COMPANIES 16PB PENTRATING CATALYST (2 PACK)

Bike is now up on the Abba Stand, radiator will be drained and taken off and then I'll have proper access to the studs and nuts. I have a dremel to remove the one corroded nut and I can remove the exhaust before trying to gently get the exhaust studs out. I'm working up the courage and energy to give them a go before it gets too cold to sit in the unheated garage for more than an hour.

[ZRX61]

I've used this stuff on the studs and will keep soaking them.
BLASTER CHEMICAL COMPANIES 16PB PENETRATING CATALYST (2 PACK)

Bike is now up on the Abba Stand, radiator will be drained and taken off and then I'll have proper access to the studs and nuts. I have a dremel to remove the one corroded nut and I can remove the exhaust before trying to gently get the exhaust studs out. I'm working up the courage and energy to give them a go before it gets too cold to sit in the unheated garage for more than an hour.

Rather spiffy looking can, Should do the job. Just don't do anything except give the studs a squirt every day for a couple of weeks. I picked up a can of that Free All stuff this morning while running errands around town... just because I thought I might like to add it to the arsenal.

There's actually a book on this subject... & it's a *bible* so right up your alley


It's not just about getting buggered threads sorted, it has quite a bit about various tools & their use etc.

[mangocrazy]

I bought that a while back; it wasn't exactly revelatory, but it gave good basics on how to approach rusted fasteners, and (probably more importantly) what not to do.

[ZRX61]

I bought that a while back; it wasn't exactly revelatory, but it gave good basics on how to approach rusted fasteners, and (probably more importantly) what not to do.

He didn't include the trick of putting a piece of copper pipe down the inside of a casting where the bolt is snapped off below the surface so you can build it back up with weld & then weld a but of it once it's flush with the surface..

or if he did, I missed it.

[mangocrazy]

Yeah, it all seemed a bit cautious for my tastes. There are only a limited number of ways of dealing with corroded fasteners and in my experience getting them glowing cherry red wins...