Oil filter housing bolt

[Aaron WildeMember]

Has any body else had problems with rear top allen key bolt on oil filter cap. The thread keeps failing. My 01 wr426 did it and my 08 yz450 (bought very late 08) now doing the same. Now has 80 hrs. Should i replace bolt every 4th change? I have run a tap and die over the bolt hole and the bolt but i think this will only help temporarily. One of my mates had to helicoil his wr250f but that sounds scary in an alloy housing. its strang that it only happens to that one the other two are as sweet as new. I careful when i tighten and loosen like how you tighten the bolts on a car wheel. maybee i might have to invest in a torque wrench?

[GregMember]

Helicoil Aaron sounds like the fix. I did a school thing on helicoils once 1/2 day thing learnt that a helicoil in an alloy housing is 60% stronger then the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) thread.
Go the helicoil, be careful, use plenty of grease on the drill bits and taps to catch the metal chips and pieces. Be careful it will be ok and a one time fix

TB

[MalMember]

I had that happen when I had my WR400. The female thread had nearly stripped. The cap never leaked, I just didn’t tighten it as much as the other two.

Helicoil as TB said is the go. I bought one in case the cap leaked. They are easy to install and will last forever.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem with mine. The female thread still looks OK but the bolt thread is a little dubious. I am just extra careful when I put the bolt in or out. Has never leaked, so far.

I keep saying to myself next oil change I will fix it.

[GregMember]

What size is it Dan? I have some different size heli coil kits

TB

[ScottMember]

My brother and I used to have the same problem on our 04 and 05 WR450’s we tried replacing the bolt but it would gall the very next time, learnt you should run a tap with grease on it down the hole every time you do an oil change alot of rubbish accumulates in that drain hole from the filter. I also found giving it a good clean with Contact cleaner through the hole and back into where the filter sits helps too. Had no issues with damaging the bolt since on our 04,05 or 09 WR’s. Its a 6mm bolt.

[Brendon CarreMember]

+ 1 for the Heli coil fix. Been there done that on wr 426 never had a problem again.

[ScottMember]

Yeah i agree if the female thread is damaged or stripped a Helicoil is an option but they also have limitations. But from the experiences I have had even with a helicoil over time you will end up with the same issue. That bolt is a drain bolt from the filter chamber. Whilst the bike is running rubbish accumulates in the space between the end of the bolt and the end of the hole. When you remove the bolt it drags a little of the rubbish out and onto the thread and the rest stays in the blind hole. Over time that much rubbish can accumulate that the bolt botttoms out on the shit the more you tighten it the quicker it stuffs the bolt.
Try winding the bolt in by hand if you can’t the hole needs to be cleaned out. Those drain bolts are soft as.

[Aaron WildeMember]

That grease on the tap seems like a great idea. Nice bit of reasurance thet it will be stronger than than original hole. The idea of metal shavings floating around is scary. Thanks for all the imput at least i wont feel like a pioneer when i bite the bullet and do it. Wouldnt like to take it to cycletune and have him say you did ‘what’ to it!

[glennMember]

when we doing nundle aron.

boony

[Aaron WildeMember]

Wedding in moree this weekend and dirt bike teritory the next. Am trying to sell my wr426 to a bloke i work with and i was hoping to take it up there(nundle) and he will bin it and be forced to buy it. Will pick up the wr next week end so hopefuly the week after the teritory ride.

[glennMember]

that weekend sound good. will get a few others to come up with us,,ie pep cycletune,whanny.damus,bolls,house,roachy,billy,crash2,calala 71 and whoever else wants to come.OK

[GregMember]

Boony I will be up in April sometime for some pre running

TB

[Aaron WildeMember]

Pep said he was going to dirtbike teritory and hopefuly some of the other guys from TPE. My cousin wont be going anymore as he rolled his polaris 850 quad and broke his wing OUCH I kept telling him that was the worst thing about quads was that after thay spat you off they came looking for you. With nundle though im going cant wait to get back up there. lock me in!

[Author]

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