Oil change - which way to undo the drain plugs?

[Micnice10]

Sorry for the dumb question, but when removing magnetic and secondary drain plugs is it opposite twisting? Righty to loosen?? Thank you much!

[SteveLaoyster]

Righty tighty, lefty loosy!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Sorry for the dumb question, but when removing magnetic and secondary drain plugs is it opposite twisting? Righty to loosen?? Thank you much!

I ALWAYS set my ratchet to either tighten or loosen BEFORE I use it ..... this prevents mis-takes when you are using it up-side down ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

[PinkRosePetal]

Looking at the end of your drain plugs, anti-clockwise to slacken, clockwise to tighten.

[Micnice10]

Did oil change today, DEFINITELY RIGHTY TO LOOSEN and LEFTY TO TIGHTEN!! Have a great weekend!

[Bottomline2000]

Did oil change today, DEFINITELY RIGHTY TO LOOSEN and LEFTY TO TIGHTEN!! Have a great weekend!

Unless you are standing over the spyder this is backwards..facing the drain plugs its lefty loosey, righty tighty..

[cptjam]

Loosen counterclockwise. 100%

[RICZ]

I always check the rotation of the ratchet before applying it to ANY FASTENER, even visible ones. Just because it faces downward doesn't change the direction of the threads.

[cueman]

Uhhh, if you don’t know the direction to loosen a drain plug, maybe you should not do your own maintenance. Just saying for your own good.

[Micnice10]

All I’m saying is if you put your ratchet to the LEFT you will tighten your drain plug!
Now how do I adjust my clutch.....:) Have a great day!

[Markubis]

Clockwise to tighten.
Counter clockwise to loosen.

[SportsterDoc]

Looking at the end of your drain plugs, anti-clockwise to slacken, clockwise to tighten.

If this thread is not a troll, I suspect the OP's direction is based upon reaching under the Ryker, rather than on ramps looking up at the drain plugs.

Looking at the plugs, they are standard right hand threads...so, CCW to loosen...same as spark plugs.
If someone tries to loosen the in oppsite direction, stripped threads or cracked case can result.

185613
185614

[JayBros]

Uhhh, if you don’t know the direction to loosen a drain plug, maybe you should not do your own maintenance. Just saying for your own good.

:agree: :bdh:

[RICZ]

Use a ratchet handle and check its rotation before applying it to every fastener. You can't go wrong unless you're dealing with a left hand thread and there are very few of those, thank goodness.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Did oil change today, DEFINITELY RIGHTY TO LOOSEN and LEFTY TO TIGHTEN!! Have a great weekend!

Wrong, wrong, wrong - both those plugs are NORMAL threads ..... right to tighten - left to loosen ...... Those plugs are up-side down, but that won't change the direction of the Threads on the plug...... this is why ( as I stated above ) I always set my Ratchet BEFORE I use it ..... Mike :thumbup:

[Gwolf]

I don't understand how anybody could get confused just because the plugs are upside down. Putting in bolts overhead, you flip your hand over palm up. Don't matter if the bolts are above or below you. To put in bolts going down, have your palm down. They all turn the same way, unless they are reverse threaded. I guess I just been turning wrenches so long I don't think about it any more.

[EdMat]

. this is why ( as I stated above ) I always set my Ratchet BEFORE I use it ..... Mike :thumbup:

I think every mechanic that I have ever worked with subconsciously checks their ratchets direction before using it, even tho muscle memory will instantly tell them it's wrong

[Possible]

I worked as a press line mechanic for 30 years, and I still occasionally have to stop and think which way an upside down bolt turns.
And I always check the ratchet rotation before use.

[RICZ]

I don't understand how anybody could get confused just because the plugs are upside down.
I don't understand either, but when I was training guys to be repairmen, every one of them would start to turn an upside down fastener the wrong way. I say, stop, what are you doing? They'd answer, I'm loosening it and were surprised when I told them they weren't. They'd even try to argue the point. That's only one reason of many I don't trust guys with tools and my vehicles.

[troop]

This still a topic ??

[Bluetrees]

In an earlier life I was a Pipefitter for 20 years building submarines. Sometimes I was basically hanging upside down or using mirrors to get to mechanical connections if I could see them at all.
For some people it comes natural, others it comes in time, some will never get it.

Today young people run circles around me on the design programs we use. Maybe for me it will come in time... ;)

[Gwolf]

This still a topic ??

Yeah, we gonna invent a bolt direction checker and have one of the forum supporters market it to people who turn bolts the wrong way. It will go on square drive sockets and make an alarm go off if they start turning it the wrong direction. A real useless, but important tool.

[Bluetrees]

How about which direction to safetywire/lockwire fasteners so they don't loosen. That will fry brain matter in some.

[cueman]

It may be already too late! :agree:

[FastOldGuy]

Wrong, wrong, wrong - both those plugs are NORMAL threads ..... right to tighten - left to loosen ...... Those plugs are up-side down, but that won't change the direction of the Threads on the plug...... this is why ( as I stated above ) I always set my Ratchet BEFORE I use it ..... Mike :thumbup:

I LOVE IT when you Try to help someone and Offer a Logical Solution (i.e. "Set the Ratchet To Loosen BEFORE You Turn It UPSIDE-DOWN") and then get Kicked in the... Yea, Thanks Pal. I'm in 100% agreement, "If You Are Unsure, You Shouldn't Be Attempting The Task". I have Seen Everything Possible (not to be Corn-Fused with I KNOW EVERYTHING) I honestly do not remember a Left Hand Thread Oil Drain Plug in 47 years of pulling Wrenches. In this case, a Mistake could be Very EXPENSIVE compared to paying someone to Do the Job Correctly. I am in 100% agreement We Are Here To Learn and Offer Help! Thanks for the Tip Mike, I'm Sure we've all been upside down and got Confused at some point!