Have a Pro Armor Skid Plate on the bottom of the bike...Is there any way to change the oil...ie the crank case bolt, with out spilling oil all down the inside of the skid plate???

Peace
Willfulone

 

It sucks, but I have to remove my skid plates every time I change oil, if I don't want to run oil all over the plate.

 

I drilled a 1" hole in mine, right under the drain plug, (crank case bolt). No more problems.

 

Thing about drilling a hole, is that the oil kind of drips around the hole anyway and you still get a pretty good mess. I use to put a piece of plastic under the engine, then tip the bike on its left side, and let the oil just run down the plastic. But, now I just take the plate off, because you get some splashing at the main drain hole too.

Another thing I thought of (but have never done), is cut the upper portion off of a funnel and just leave it permanantly sitting in the hole. (Of course the opening would have to be big enough to get a wrench through.) This would guide the oil, and save having to remove the plate every time.

 

Here is another dumb question, I was changing the oil on my rancher 300 ES and I broke one of the oil filter bolts. Part of the bolt is still in the hole and I was wondering what the best way to handle this problem is. Thanks!

 

Pahtoman, You could drill the broken portion of the bolt out of the hole. Use a bit that won't compromise the threads. There is also a tool that you can use to back the broken part out of the hole. (Sorry, I can't think of the name of the tool.)

 

Pahtoman, I'm thinking of a "Screw Extractor" which also works with bolts. NorthernTool.com has the sets and I think Craftsman also makes them.

 

ezz out

Just for the heck of it try a small screw driver with pressure applied and see if it will back out.

 

Thanks for the ideas guys, I will hit Sears after work tomorrow and be back on the trail!

 

Willfulone, I also have the same problem with my skid plate. I refuse to remove the skid so I just let it drip on it. I did notice that it doesn't get on the skid until most of the oil has drained. So I think I might try the plastic under the motor after the majority of the oil has drained. The mud and water usually washes it off anyway.