Winter’s coming
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Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 56
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From: Charlotte Tennessee
Winter’s coming
So not planning to be driving my 69 convertible much for a while, leading me to start taking some things apart to make some improvements. My windows are badly out of adjustment, which didn’t matter much if I never rolled’em up. However, I may want to put the top up and roll the windows up to take it for work to be done etc over the next few months. Consequently taking the door panels off. Probably going to replace both over the next months but some practice removing and reinstalling the existing ones can’t hurt and I can fix windows too. Now the question, the rear lower screw won’t budge with the force I have in my old arthritis ridden hands and a Phillips screwdriver. Current plan is to get some tubing and drip some kroil on the screw from the top which is already somewhat loose. Wanted to ask if someone with more experience on removing screws that haven’t moved in 52 years might have a little better plan?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 646
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From: Blairsville, Ga
If you have a cordless impact drill, hit it lightly in the tighten mode, then hit reverse, then tighten, then try reverse again to see if that helps. Just don’t go crazy with it in the tighten mode…don’t want to strip the screws out. If you don’t have an impact drill, a regular drill would probably work as well. I just find it easier having that impact drill to break it loose faster.
We do this a lot in construction and it has worked remarkably well on stubborn screws, bolts, etc.
Obviously, IF you can get Kroil or PB Blaster on the screw, that would work best, but seeing that its on a door panel that’s still attached, that would make it very difficult.
Best of luck!!
We do this a lot in construction and it has worked remarkably well on stubborn screws, bolts, etc.
Obviously, IF you can get Kroil or PB Blaster on the screw, that would work best, but seeing that its on a door panel that’s still attached, that would make it very difficult.
Best of luck!!
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Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 56
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From: Charlotte Tennessee
This worked better than I expected
I got the other three screws loose which gave me some room at the top of the panel. Took one of my gun cleaning rods and slid it down to rest on top of the screw, then took a squeeze bottle that I put some Kroil in and slowly dripped it down the rod onto the screw. Let it sit a couple of hours, put the screwdriver in the screw and tapped gently a few times. Screw then came out easily. I really didn’t expect it to be that easy.
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I have also clamped a vice grip onto the screwdriver shaft which provides a leverage bar on the screwdriver. It is key to make sure you are using the right size screwdriver that fits snugly in the head of the screw or like others said, you will strip the head.
Good Luck
Terry
Good Luck
Terry
