Lock Tighted screws

[xmicmic]

I was trying to get the screws out of the front speakers and found out they were lock tighted. In trying to get some of them out, the nut that is imbedded in a round hole twisted out of the front bezel and still lock tighted to the screw. The nut and screw both twisted out of the plastic. Some of the screws are philips head screws and are stripping out the head where the philips head screwdriver fits. How can I get these out?.

[FLAVALK]

If it was blue Loctite (temparary) you may eventually break them loose. If it was red...forget about it. You will have to drill it out. Can you hold the nut with a pair of pliers while atempting to loosen the screw?

[Joe Hummer]

The are not loctited in...they are corroded in.  Typical thing for an Interstate.  To remove them, start pulling the inner fairing out while spinning the screws.  Once you pop the nuts out of the fairing, use a pair of pliers to remove the nuts from the screws.  I glued mine back in with superglue but you can use any good glue to do it as long as you remember that whatever is touching the glue will stick...so leave the screws out until after the glue sets up and don't use so much glue that it coats the threads.  Use some anti-seize when putting the screws back in. 

For the stripped heads, if you have a dremel tool, chuck up a cut-off blade and cut a slot in the head of the screw...go carefully or you will be repairing a slice mark in the fairing.  Once you have a slot cut, use a flat-head screwdriver to back the screws (or nuts) out. 

Hope this helps.

Joe

[Grandpot]

Do what Joe says.  He's write up is spot-on. 

[OverdueBill]

I also have the spinning screws.  I am replacing the windshield soon.  My fix is to follow the advice given on removal and already have new inserts to glue back in.  Probably use JB weld as some have suggested.  My question is that I have bought some SS socket flat head 5mm screws to go back in.  May use a small o ring between the cover and fairing around the screw to prevent squeeks.  Is there a problem with the screws having no shoulder like the OEM?  I don't plan to tighten them gorilla tight and will use never sieze.  Thanks

[Rocketman]

I also have the spinning screws.  I am replacing the windshield soon.  My fix is to follow the advice given on removal and already have new inserts to glue back in.  Probably use JB weld as some have suggested.  My question is that I have bought some SS socket flat head 5mm screws to go back in.  May use a small o ring between the cover and fairing around the screw to prevent squeeks.  Is there a problem with the screws having no shoulder like the OEM?  I don't plan to tighten them gorilla tight and will use never sieze.  Thanks

You shouldn't need to replace anything.  I've done the fix that Joe described on several Interstates.  Once you get the insert out of the fairing, hold the insert with pliers, and back the screw out.  Glue the insert back in (JB Weld, or plastic glue, or Gorilla glue, whatever you like), (be careful to keep it off the inside of the insert), and let it dry.  If the old screws aren't too stripped, put 'em right back in.
As for a shoulder (if you need to use the new ones), no, I wouldn't see a need for that.

[Ricky-D]

Those inserts are brass, and the work just like a lead anchor in a concrete wall.

After you get the insert out you can use a small drift and tap the center piece out some threads to let the insert make itself a smaller diameter.

Clean the bitch real good and them glue it back in the fairing.

Before you attach any of the parts with the screws, lube up the screw with anti-seize and test thread the screw back into the insert.

Watch carefully for the screw to bottom out and then remove the screw. You're now ready to put everything back together.

I use a thin rubber washer to take up some space to keep the rattling under control and I suppose you could do the same with an 'o'-ring.

The bigger issue is to not turn the screw so tight that you tear the insert loose again. There's not much those screw need to do to cause you to continually do that!

***

[xmicmic]

Thanks for everyones help on this matter. Even though I don't get in this very ofter, I can always count on great advice every time. Some day I will be able to help others also.  Thanks again.

[OverdueBill]

Thank you from me also.  I read about the screw/insert problem before I had the bike and ordered them when she got here.  I felt it was easier to replace with new than deal with old.  This baby is worth it!