Seized screw

[gavinl]

Hi all, my gear shifter's torx screw is really seized in and after 3 days of Kroil penetrant and multiple chisel blows (got 2 of 3 out) the last one (as usual) just wouldn't budge

I don't really want to put heat at the tight space of the shifter area, what else can I safely try?

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

Penetro 90 has been known to work quite well. Fact is, if penetro 90 can't get it to move, then heat is the only option after that.
http://www.schaefferoil.com/data/190.html

call tim 800-737-1747 to get one if you want it.

 

[dickwells]

Impact wrench if you have room. Tighten, loosen, tighten,loosen, more penetro.....repeat as necessary. Heatwise a soldering iron applied to the head intermittently may also help, but do not get it so hot that it carbonizes the oil. Good Luck, RW

 

[labman]

Here is a whole thread of hints:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=000035

I would try holding the right short Torx bit in the screw with a pair of pliers, while hitting it with a hammer. Apply your favorite penetrating oil first. The impact actually springs the screw and thread allowing the penetration oil to seep in.

 

[rpn453]

quote:

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Impact wrench if you have room.

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Agreed. A good air impact wrench (with a quality socket that won't break!) will definitely take it off.

 

[labman]

How big is this thing? Impact wrenches are great for loosening lug nuts, suspension pieces, etc., but would quickly twist off a little 4 mm or whatever Torx screw.

Note, modern wheel parts are too flimsy to stand tightening lug nuts with an impact wrench. That is not how the shop manual puts it.

 

[YZF150]

Drill it and use a left-hand thread screw extractor.

 

[gavinl]

Well, it's a small Torx screw. I tried a M6 drill out screw extractor and broke that SOB in one of the screw which I chiseled out.

Now the last one is really in there with a chewed up head

I can't really take a propane torch so close to the shifter and I'm thinking of cutting the head off with a dremel then reverse drill the core out.

 

[mph]

If you have access to the head (it's not countersunk), then Vise-Grips can do wonders for getting a grip on the screw.

I haven't used Penetro, which so many people here love, but I've had good results from Kroil (not that things seize too badly in my climate). The Kroil was recommended to me by the NAPA parts guy, who is more of a "parts genius running around on speed" than "teenager who got fired from McD's and has to work somewhere."

 

[dickwells]

Hmm..... I have also had some luck with this type of setup by cutting two sides parallel with the dremel and then putting a small vice grip on it. That will usually either get it or twist it off.

 

[gavinl]

Now that's an idea! I'll try dremel-ling the sides flat and taking a vice grip to it first

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

before you go much farther, get a impact driver. it will break it loose. The impact driver is used with a hammer. Had to do that many times. You push the impact driver tight against the screw with slight pressure in the direction which you want it to turn, then smack it hard with the hammer and it will make it turn.

Use this tough 1/2'' impact driver with your own hammer to loosen rusty or frozen screws and bolts. Textured handle gives you a firm grip. Each bit is coated with a black oxide finish to prevent chipping and rust.
Includes six bits:
1-3/8'' shank:
Phillips #2 and #3
Slotted 7mm and 8mm
15/16'' shank:
Phillips #3
Slotted 8mm


ITEM 37530-0VGA

$6.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37530

 

[labman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BOBISTHEOILGUY:
before you go much farther, get a impact driver. it will break it loose. The impact driver is used with a hammer. Had to do that many times. You push the impact driver tight against the screw with slight pressure in the direction which you want it to turn, then smack it hard with the hammer and it will make it turn.

Use this tough 1/2'' impact driver with your own hammer to loosen rusty or frozen screws and bolts. Textured handle gives you a firm grip. Each bit is coated with a black oxide finish to prevent chipping and rust.
Includes six bits:
1-3/8'' shank:
Phillips #2 and #3
Slotted 7mm and 8mm
15/16'' shank:
Phillips #3
Slotted 8mm


ITEM 37530-0VGA

$6.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37530

---

Great suggestion. Those things are about right for small screws like that. Looks like that would take any of the common screw bits including the proper size Torx. The trick is to break it loose before you destroy the head. If you destroy the head, you still have to break it loose. The one old coot I once worked for was right, there is no such thing as an Easy Out.

I have bought several things from Harbor Freight. I don't think a lot of their stuff would hold up to daily, hard use, but you can't beat the price for occasional use. Fortunately I don't run in to a #$%)(^!!**$%^&)(*$% problem like that very often.

 

[gavinl]

Well the #@$#$ head is round like the moon so I'll be taking a dremel to it and try cutting the head off or opening the round hole even more to put a screw extractor into it

Thanks for the link Bob, I'll remember that tool the next time I order from HF (which is way toooo often

)

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

before taking the head off, why not cut the head to accomidate a staight/phillips head and use the impact before going beyond no return.

A little saying I use that also helps....

PERSISTANCE OVER COMES RESISTANCE.

 

[gavinl]

Sounds like a plan Bob, I'll try cutting a grove for a flat tip and use the impact driver method first.

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

I've been known to force the wrong size tip into a small hole so much it wouldn't come off very without a fight. Then use that one, if not, then cut the slot.

wish ya luck.

 

[gavinl]

Thanks again guys, I'll get myself the impact driver and give it a go with whatever tip I can find

 

[labman]

Another good tip. Also hitting the head with a hammer may close it up to where it will take the tip, and help loosen it.

Ever wish they would have just used an easy to drill out rivet?

 

[gavinl]

Finally got that darn bolt out, tried an impact driver after cutting a groove for the flat tip but didn't work.

Eventually (after some cursing and swearing)

took the drill to the screw head and drilled that sucker loose. Then took a screw out bit to remove the core.