screw removal help needed
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 646
Likes: 17
From: Hendersonville NC
screw removal help needed
I have a 71 vette with the screw heads twisted off on my parking light lense in the grill. The grill is in good condition and part of the screws are sticking out of the grill thanks for any ideas of help as I do not want to spend $400 for another grill.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Use PB blaster and apply several times. Give it time to soak in and lightly tap the screw shafts to set up a vibration to help it seep into the threads. Use A small vise grip to grab the screw shafts and turn SLOWLY. You don't want to snap them off or else you 'll have to drill them out.
Good lick.
Glenn
Good lick.
Glenn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 847
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Have to be careful, particularly around plastic, but I have had to drill them out before. Start with a small bit.
Had to recently drill one out of a rocker panel I was stripping/refinishing.
Mark
Had to recently drill one out of a rocker panel I was stripping/refinishing.
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
If the lenses are bad and you are not going to use them try taking a dremel tool and grinding a slot in the head of the screw. Carefully take a small screw driver and try to back them out. If all else fails you will have to drill the heads off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
I have had good succes using screw extractors from Craftsmen. They have small sets that have a drill bit in one end and the extractor on the other. Use a good penetrating fluid like the PB mentioned earlier and take your time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 8
From: Illinois
Had the samething happen. Broke off the screw on a 71 front lens--two came out one wouldn't. Finally ended up breaking the lens apart (mine were 36 years old) and then had to drill it out and retap the hole. Sorry I tried everything but it wouldn't come loose. I have not had much luck with extractors and I have tried 2-3 different types. The best thing is go slow, use lots of kroil before you start and before you break it off. I have turned a 5 minute job into a two day job because I got in a hurry and didn't prelubricate with kroil before attempting to remove a bolt, nut, etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Just used an extractor tool this past weekend on a small screw. It worked great. Before I got an extractor tool, I used the dremel tool method referred to by Gordonm. It will work too. So far I have always been able to remove any bolt, screw, etc----but have had the 5 minute job turn into a two day job as mentioned by wallifishmn due to getting in a hurry.
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