bop

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.

GD70

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

funymuny

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

Gordonm

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.

929nitro

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.

wallifishrmn

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.

Patrick73

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.

xCCTer

Been there. Done that.

Vette Dent

If you get stuck drilling, get yourself some left hand (reverse) drill bits. It helps when the bit sometimes turns the screw out for you.