ARRRGGG! I've spent WAY too much time trying to do this today, and have now blown my free time ride that I was going to do this afternoon.

I cannot get this nut off!!!



And is this the correct one to remove? It does not look exactly like the one in the Clymers manual, and it is taking a 14mm instead of 17mm as stated elsewhere.

I've been out there for another HOUR and I still cannot get it loose. Part is that I still am not getting enough clearance to really whack it.

I put WD40 on it, let it soak 40 minutes. Tried turning in both directions. No luck at all. Reminds me of the first time I tried to remove ANY screw on this bike. It's like Locktite central.

I also don't have a real 14mm wrench. I'm using my adjustable wrench. My socket wrench has no clearance due to the indentation.

How come everyone else had this one down easy??

If you get the correct wrench that would certainly help... as I recall, a little tap with a mallet/hammer helped persuade that puppy to loosen up. Adjustable wrenches are the pits... if you are serious about doing your own work, buy a set of good metrics... I think I picked up a set of Sears Craftsman (lifetime warranty) for about $20 on sale.

Be careful lifting up the back end... I don't care if these bikes are under 400 pounds, it can hurt if it falls on you.

PS I like your mirror!!!

Oh, yeah, lefty-loosy, righty tighty. In other words, with the box end on the bolt rotate it counter-clockwise to loosen.

Ken

Savage_Rob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:


Yeah I saw those when I went in to buy my wrench tonight.  They looked complicated, and were rather expensive.
I ended up with an 8 piece metric Craftsman set of the kind that hold on even if the bolt is starting to lose its edge, on clearance for $24. Thanks to PhotoProf for that tip!

I tried right/tight, left/loose and got zero in either direction. I put more WD40 on the nut. It is now full dark.  I am officially calling it a day.

skat, try this...

put the front wheel on top of a brick or 4x4.
also put a brick under the kick stand same size.
you don't really need to do this if you have a skinny oil pan though.

from the front place the wrench on the bolt, and it should be high up as possible.

take the biggest wrench you have and interlock it with the 14mm, like one of those wire puzzles.  The box end will slip over one side of the open end.  Now you have one big wrench.  you bought craftsman so I know they can take it as I do it all the time.

push down on the front side and it should break it loose.  Of course, if you push down and the wrenches just swing about, you locked together the wrong way, try the other side of the open wrench.

PhotoProf wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:


I think you need to rethink the direction for loosening of the drain bolt.  Of course I have a cold and on drugs, could be wrong?   But having done it just a few weeks ago using my interlocking wrenches, I'm positive I pushed down, maybe.  

verslagen1 may be right now that I reflect on things. For some reason, it seems like you did go opposite of normal (loosey leftie) direction. Anyhow, if it doesn't loosen, go the other direction. I've had cases where I actually tighten just a little then tried loosening things with some success. You should get an idea of what is happening if you just lightly tap things... don't give it a big hit.

Oh... I know what threw me off... it was the mirror... everything is reversed. Just kidding.