HELP! - Column Lock Bypass Install question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 70
From: Rochester MN
HELP! - Column Lock Bypass Install question
I am ready to install CLB. I removed the trunk release switch and attempting to remove the 15 Torx screw from dash behind it. Screw only spins in either direction but will not loosen.
Can someone tell me what is holding this screw in place? I have put my fingers through hole in dash and can feel tip of pointed screw turning
but nothing else seems to loose on back side that is turning with the screw. Logically you think the nut or whatever would be rotating with the screw.
This is a tough way to start this project but I am not done yet
Suggestions appreciated,.
Can someone tell me what is holding this screw in place? I have put my fingers through hole in dash and can feel tip of pointed screw turning
but nothing else seems to loose on back side that is turning with the screw. Logically you think the nut or whatever would be rotating with the screw.
This is a tough way to start this project but I am not done yet
Suggestions appreciated,.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by Dave1998
I am ready to install CLB. I removed the trunk release switch and attempting to remove the 15 Torx screw from dash behind it. Screw only spins in either direction but will not loosen.
Can someone tell me what is holding this screw in place? I have put my fingers through hole in dash and can feel tip of pointed screw turning
but nothing else seems to loose on back side that is turning with the screw. Logically you think the nut or whatever would be rotating with the screw.
This is a tough way to start this project but I am not done yet
Suggestions appreciated,.
Can someone tell me what is holding this screw in place? I have put my fingers through hole in dash and can feel tip of pointed screw turning
but nothing else seems to loose on back side that is turning with the screw. Logically you think the nut or whatever would be rotating with the screw.
This is a tough way to start this project but I am not done yet
Suggestions appreciated,.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 70
From: Rochester MN
Great. I already tried that but no luck yet. I think it may be the only way. I put a small screwdriver under the washer to create pressure but screw still wont back out. Just spins in either direction
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca
Dave, I had the same problem when I went to install my CLB. 
I struggled with that screw for an hour before I managed to get a small blade screw driver between the washer and the plastic surface. I then twisted the screw driver while un screwing the screw and it finally caught some thread and came out. If you can hold ithe screw at all, you may have to drill it out. Just be careful not to break the plastic behind the screw. Good luck man, that is a tuff one. 
I struggled with that screw for an hour before I managed to get a small blade screw driver between the washer and the plastic surface. I then twisted the screw driver while un screwing the screw and it finally caught some thread and came out. If you can hold ithe screw at all, you may have to drill it out. Just be careful not to break the plastic behind the screw. Good luck man, that is a tuff one.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 70
From: Rochester MN
Yes, I have now managed to get the screwdriver behind the washer and put presssure on the screw making it difficult to turn but hopefully will grab. So far no luck.
I am considering taking my dremel and removing the head of the screw to drop the lower dash. Does anyone think then I will have a chance of removing the screw without a head ?
This is a tough 1 !
I am considering taking my dremel and removing the head of the screw to drop the lower dash. Does anyone think then I will have a chance of removing the screw without a head ?
This is a tough 1 !
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
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I too had that problem and spent a lot of time 'persuading' it out. I think prying on it with a flat blade finally worked, but only after a lot of tries. You have to pry it while exerting almost no upward pressure on it with the torx driver. I guess a dremel would get you in there, but the thought of doing that makes me nervous....
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 70
From: Rochester MN
You may have an idea. If I could take a flat file and put a 90 degree bend in it, I could coax it through the hole where the wire harness is and the tilt down the file so that the end of the file is pointing up,
I could put an handle on the file and pull it toward me and put a lot of pressure on the tip of the screw. With the other hand I could work the screwdriver.
Will pushing on the screw from the opposite end help ?
I could put an handle on the file and pull it toward me and put a lot of pressure on the tip of the screw. With the other hand I could work the screwdriver.
Will pushing on the screw from the opposite end help ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Originally Posted by ptdrummer54
If you can feel the top of the screw, can you apply pressure on it with something flat to help?
Maybe get a thimble from the wife ...
Ron ...
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If you happen to have a pair of needle nose vice grips, give them a try. They should clamp down and then you can pull out while turning the screw. This is just a guess - hope it would work.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
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From: North Augusta, SC
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
If you happen to have a pair of needle nose vice grips, give them a try. They should clamp down and then you can pull out while turning the screw. This is just a guess - hope it would work.
Then if that doesn't work you could just give it a good yank and pull it out. You'll probably have to get a new metal gromet thingy that the screw attaches to, but the one that's there now doesn't seem to be working too well.Good luck
