Stripped Torx Fasteners

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Jul 23, 2003 | 07:38 PM

pastorbrad

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From: Dover MA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19

Stripped Torx Fasteners

I'm sure some of you have noticed that the torx fasteners used to mount the taillight lenses are cheap metal and easily stripped - a problem compounded by the fact that the rear panel flexes when you try to put some pressure on the tool to bite into the fastener so it will turn! Any suggestions for how to get these suckers out? PS - their survival is not important, because there are new higher quality fasteners going in! Thanx for the all-thumbs question! :jester

Jul 23, 2003 | 07:40 PM

WhiteC5Vette

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From: SE Idaho

St. Jude Contributor

Re: Stripped Torx Fasteners (pastorbrad)

Easy-out bit and a drill. Just place the easy out bit in the center of the screw and drill out the head.

Jul 23, 2003 | 07:54 PM

Bill Curlee

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From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

Re: Stripped Torx Fasteners (WhiteC5Vette)

SEARS sells a cool set of screw removers that they say will remove almost any stripped screw. It looks like a phillips screw driver bit with real sharp edges. Give that a try and let us know how you make out

I'll be watching for your reply! I've been waiting to find someone to tell me how they work and your case sems like a good tester! :thumbs:
They are 100% money back if you dont like them so how can you loose :cheers:

Jul 23, 2003 | 08:03 PM

corvette184

Melting Slicks

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From: Tacoma WA your Junk Yard Dogg

Re: Stripped Torx Fasteners (Bill Curlee)

Quote:

ive used these craftsman gadgets and they really do work......used them alot on older car interior screws......... :party:

Jul 23, 2003 | 09:20 PM

pastorbrad

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From: Dover MA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19

Re: Stripped Torx Fasteners (corvette184)

Cool - thanks! I'll try it and post the results. All this to install the flush taillight kit. In my line of work, this much trouble should mean a sign from above that I'm not supposed to install them! :D :blueangel:

Jul 28, 2003 | 04:39 PM

pastorbrad

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From: Dover MA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19

Re: Stripped Torx Fasteners (pastorbrad)

Promised I'd follow up. Got the Sears extractor bits, but didn't end up using them. Dug around and found a small but broad-bladed screwdriver, fine blade (from a set designed for hooking up your computers and stereos). The edges were sharp enough so that they dug into the Torx fastener, and then using a vise grip as a handle I could get the leverage to back the suckers out. They really are cheap fasteners! Anywho, now that I've got the flush taillights installed, I'm not sure they're worth the money - don't look bad, just really don't look that different! - but I am definitely ahead of the game because the lenses are now secured with good quality Philips screws, and changing out a burned out bulb in the future will be easier, to say the least! Thanks for the help. :seeya

Jul 28, 2003 | 06:30 PM

WhiteC5Vette

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From: SE Idaho

St. Jude Contributor

Re: Stripped Torx Fasteners (pastorbrad)

Another method you could have done to remove the screw is to back it out from the inside. I just pulled all my rear lights to drill drain holes in the fascia, and notice you can reach the mounting screws for the next light from the rear. If this should ever happen again, just use a pair of pliers to thread the screw out from inside, until enough is available to grab from the outside.