[RESOLVED] Oil Pump Housing Screw is Stripped. Need info on it.

slipstream808 · 09-03-2008, 05:29 PM

Title says it all. Final step in removing the rear balance shaft is to get the oil pump housing cover apart. Yeah well, the 4 bolts were FINE. But the screw wasn't. I used all my strength, and pushed it in but I just stripped the grooves on the head of the screw. I guess we'll have to get and extractor for it but it's ruined.

Any special screw we need or can a generic one with similar threads be had from like Lowes? Also, why does it seem no one has had a problem with this before? Any why stick a screw in there in the first place? So many questions...

snowborder714 · 09-03-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipstream808

Any special screw we need or can a generic one with similar threads be had from like Lowes? Also, why does it seem no one has had a problem with this before? Any why stick a screw in there in the first place? So many questions...

Whenever my brother and I removed his screw, we had the exact same thing happen

We ended up using an easy-out to remove it, which was still a PITA. We both have the same question as you - why a screw

In the end, he just ordered a new one from Mitsu. I'd be curious if anyone's used a hardware store screw. I don't remember if there was anything special about it, but he was going with all OEM stuff so he got that too.

The part number is MD141302 and it's $4.16 from JNZ Tuning.

turbosax2 · 09-03-2008, 07:09 PM

I'm his ^^ brother. I thought it was only me too since I had never heard of it happening before. Then a month later my friend tears down his block and the same thing happened on his. You're not alone

Auto RS T · 09-03-2008, 07:33 PM

You guys ever use an impact driver? Would probaly work well.

You hold the bit/driver in the screw and hit the driver with the hammer to seat it. Then you twist your wrist counterclockwise and hit the driver again which then spins the screw out while you are seating it. Leaving the screw unharmed.

I use one on the rusty little screws that Honda likes hold rotors onto hubs with...

turbosax2 · 09-03-2008, 07:38 PM

Never heard of them before. Do you have a link to show what it looks like?

Auto RS T · 09-03-2008, 08:03 PM

Cool Tool: Impact Driver Wrench

slipstream808 · 09-03-2008, 08:47 PM

We are already stripped so we will just use an easy out. I'm glad to know I'm not alone though. I guess this'll be the first real thread on this then!

Tatanko · 09-03-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipstream808

I guess this'll be the first real thread on this then!

Yay to us for being helpful to future searchers

Question: has anyone replaced this with a regular old hex head bolt? I know I've seen it done and I for one would rather put a hex head bolt back on than a stupid philips head screw. If you have, do you remember the approximate size of the bolt?

That stupid screw is being a real pain. It would NOT come out, even with a set of EZ out tools. Just wanted to strip and strip and strip some more. Dropped the whole assembly off at a machine shop and the guy should have it out for me Monday, though. MAN what a pain this thing has been!

blcknspo0ln · 09-06-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbosax2

I'm his ^^ brother. I thought it was only me too since I had never heard of it happening before. Then a month later my friend tears down his block and the same thing happened on his. You're not alone

I've done it three times. I ended up just using a dremel and making a bigger groove to fit a fat ass flat head in there and all three came out fine

Tatanko · 09-06-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blcknspo0ln

I've done it three times. I ended up just using a dremel and making a bigger groove to fit a fat ass flat head in there and all three came out fine

I'll remember that for next time. Unfortunately it was too far gone after just one, yes one, attempt with a phillips head. Thanks for the help via PM, also.

slipstream808 · 09-06-2008, 11:05 AM

Yes, but when we do MINE, we can do this dremel tip. Thanks!

Tatanko · 09-08-2008, 03:13 PM

Old screw is out, and replacements have been purchased with Allen heads to them for ease of removal the next time. We'll post pictures and more info on Wednesday when we get the new one on and can take pictures.

Tatanko · 09-10-2008, 09:50 PM

Here are some pictures...first we have the new screw (Allen-key style head) next to the old, stripped-out Phillips-head style screw:

We also have a few pictures of the new screw installed:

slipstream808 · 09-10-2008, 10:00 PM

Man I have nice hands!! J/K

Hope this helps someone some day.

blcknspo0ln · 09-10-2008, 10:00 PM

Nice solution

turbosax2 · 09-10-2008, 10:01 PM

Good idea guys, I'll be using an allen head screw for mine too!

Tatanko · 09-10-2008, 10:04 PM

Thanks. If only the 7-bolt had a bolt there like the 6-bolt instead of a screw

The new screw is actually maybe 1mm or 2 shorter, but it's threaded all the way down unlike the factory screw, so it actually has more overall thread. We picked up the new screw at this out-of-the-way mom and pop sort of hardware store. We picked up 5 of them so slipstream could use one for his Spyder and help out anyone who was having this issue.