Topic: Stuck float pin - 400f

[jneuf]

Any trick to getting these float pins out?? Trying to take apart and clean the carbs on my 400f and these pins appear to be really stuck.

[camelman]

Try them from both sides.  I've used a variety of things to tap on them, or push (gently!), and found that it just takes persistence sometimes.  Get a lubricant in there like PB Blaster, and just gently work them.  Do not use anything sharp to push or tap with, or the end of the pin will balloon and really get stuck in the hole.

Camelman

[mrbreeze]

That plus you may break off the shoulder that holds it. Gently is the key word. There is a guy here that actually welds them back on if they break off but besides that.....the only other option is new carb body.

[bollingball]

Modify a small c-clamp to press it out a broken post is not fun.

[MoMo]

Try a heat gun, has worked for me...Larry

[jessezm]

I have always had success standing my carb rack on end and tapping them out VERY gently with a punch the same diameter as the pin.   As Camelman said, you have to be careful not to flare the end.  Got to be gentle, cause it's a slippery slope towards breaking off the shoulder...  And use a penetrant.   I really do like the idea of modifying a C-clamp and pressing it out, but I'm never that patient! 

[gane]

DISCLAIMER; Be careful.  excessive force can easily distroy the carb body by breaking off a float post. However, stuck pins are a part of my everyday life. probly the best "tool" I have for this situation is the "automatic"  (see spring loaded) punch as avail. off most "tool trucks" (snap-on, mac  matco et;all) a handy tool for many applications  ie (identifying parts, marking centers etc) however, by grinding off the tip of the "punch"it becomes  an "easy " "shock loaded " drift, which with repeated application gently drives pins out. they cost @ 6-7 bucks  and can be "fine tuned for impact by screwing/unscrewing the pre-load spring cap. luck g

[jneuf]

Thanks for the tips folks.

Gane: Interesting idea...I was actually at a tool shop today and picked up a little centre punch and thought about it. It just seemed like I'd have to put too much pressure on the post with the tool in order to get it to punch. I didn't realize they could be fine tuned though...I might have to go back and take a look at it again.

There are some great ideas above, such as the heat gun, c-clamp, etc...I've hit them with PB blaster a couple times already, and they're still pretty solid...I tried the trick of using a ground down finishing nail and tapping them out, however, I was scared of getting a little over-excited during the tapping and breaking one of the posts...

Perhaps I'll do a couple experiments and see what works best. Picking up Godzilla tomorrow (on a different bike), so check back for updates next week!

[mrbreeze]

Have a good time on the rally man....clock some miles!!!!

[BobbyR]

Carb varnish is probably holding them in place and maybe a touch of corrosion. Try some carb cleaner and then some penetrate. Tap them from one side and then the other to shock them from two directions. Some heat will help since the aluminum will expand much faster than the steel pin.

Once you have tem out give them a good polish so they will go in easier and your floats will respond easier.

[sopo400f]

A finish nail has worked well for me.

[ekpent]

I also use a good heat gun as Photolar suggested on those along with a pentrating oil and carb dunk solvent. It will melt and soften the varnish and make them much easier to gently tap out with a nail or a drift.

[bollingball]

Camelman said it best you will find they come out one way better than the other. One end may be mushroomed or scared from pliers so drive it out the other way gently. gane I like the spring loaded center punch too but I don't like pushing on the post to hard that is why I modified a c-clamp easy with a dremel. Drill one end to take a rivet squeeze it in but  don't snap the nail part off just shorten it up and file it flat. 15 minutes done and no shock to the post The dremel is to notch out the other side so the pin will slide though.

[jneuf]

Just thought I should update this...last week after lots of carb cleaner and PB blaster, I used a tiny centre punch and got it to work. Going to clean up the pins before I put them back in though!