R1200GSA Timing Cover

[nufco]

I bought a pre-owned R1200GSA last year which I knew had severe corrosion problems, back wheel, rear subframe and as usual the timing cover. I reckon a previous owner used it on salt treated roads thruogh the winter then stuffed in his garagre overnight without washing!

I've had the back wheel refurbished - powder coated hub and rim and new s/s spokes. The rear subfame has been stripped, rust proofed and coated. I started work on the timing cover and to my horror in trying to remove them, two of the bolts holding the plastic cover on, sheared off as they were corroded into the metal cover underneath. One bolt has snapped off flush whilst the other still has its stem in place. Needless to say I haven't gone any further and left the plastic cover in place as it seems secure with the remaining bolts.

Has anyone had experience of this happening to them and what action did they take to overcome the problem? I'm anticipating that in trying to remove the remaining three bolts at least one of them is likely to snap. Would the best solution be to remove the plastic cover irrespective of what happens and then remove the metal timing cover to remove the bolts or try to do it in situ? If this is the case then would I be best advised to have the timing cover repainted/powder coated at the same time.

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

With the cover off you should be able to drill the old bolts out and retap, a bit of heat might even loosen them enough to come out. If your taking the front cover off then you need to get under the plastic bit so you have no choice but to continue. In fact even just to restore the metal part in place you will need the plastic cover off. Its a long shot but maybe a sharp tap on the heads of the remaining bolts might loosen the corrosion.

 

[bobsnew]

similar situation

I had similar situation, removed cover, good few squirts of penetrating oil, left for a few days and then I borrowed a mates chuck from an engineers drill that managed a really tight grip on the remains of the pins and unscrewed them, walla,

 

[roamer]

I have allways found heat to be effective, but sadly not allways possible,
I have tried supercrack with surprizing results on siezed bolts,
its basically a freeze spray like plumbers use , but for siezed bolts
you could still soak with wd40 without it burning as with heat
Euro car parts sell it, i believe rac use it ,,,,, roamer

 

[Lighty]

Iam guessing from reading this, that removing the bolts once a year would be a good plan

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Iam guessing from reading this, that removing the bolts once a year would be a good plan

Or even every few weeks just to be sure................!

Imagine using your GS on a salty road and putting it away without bathing it in ACF50

I feel your pain........

FP.