Forum

[Tom Tuc]

Can any one help me with this? I am trying to undo the allen bolts which hold the rocker bearing sets. These are very tight and I'm not sure if I have the right key size. Are theses and other nuts/bolts imperial or metric?
If you know the size that will be great. Also, as they are very tight should I use a hammer on the key to loosen the bolts?

[Michael]

Surely using a ring spanner hooked on to the allen key to give a longer lever is better than a hammer?

[Tom Tuc]

Thanks Michael, but even using my hands has twisted a key. Thanks for the tip with the ring spanner though. You can probably tell I'm new to this sort of thing!

[Norm]

Tom,
sounds like the previous owner is one who should never be allowed to touch a spanner. They should be nuts on studs, and no need to be overly tight. My tip is he has fitted these allen studs and also Loctited them in. Heating the studs may be your only way to prevent stripping the threads from the head, but no guarantee

[Leon Novello]

As Norm says; also a sharp tap with a hammer on top of the head will usually loosen a seized thread, as well as a sharp tap on the Allen key is more effective than steady leverage with the hand.

[Phil Ashbrook]

Allen bolts for the rockers !!! Who thought that was a good idea ?

[Dennis C]

"sharp tap with a hammer on top of the head"

That sounds painful Leon.