Taking out a threaded screw

[swansea v6]

I need to check the wiring for the fog/indicators on my FTO (bulb intergrated into front bumper on pic) there is one sunken screw fixing the lights in on each casing. Now my problem is the previous owner has completey fked both the screws, there are not even any marks left to show if they were flat or philips heads???

So my query is this, what is best way to remove them? drill them, tho I am a little concerned with damaging the lights themselves?? Or any there any other hints and tips???

[mrmr96]

I'd use a pair of mole grips to try to get a purchase on the screw and then rotate it out that way. Probably not the best way though, so I'm interested to hear what the Guru's come up with.

[rsstman]

personally i would drill it with as small a drill bit as possible and try and be extra careful, but then i am no mechanic so too would be interested in hearing of any other ways.

[Incredible Sulk]

Try one of these, or something similar.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

[GreenV8S]

Incredible Sulk said:

Try one of these, or something similar.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Worth a try, with extreme care and at slow speed. Worst case you drill the head off completely and take the light off then unscrew the remains of the thread. If possible, protect the lights and bodywork from potential damage if the bit slips while drilling.

[dazco]

Gentle taps with a centre punch?

[snuffle]

main problem will be the screw head getting hot while drilling
resulting in it melting through the lens.
keep it well lubed with light oil or keep it cold with a gentle flow from the garden hose.
once you have got the head off,remove the lens and use mole grips on the remaining bit.

[swansea v6]

I have dug out a set of small bits for the drill, will attempt to drill it out tomorrow, I reckon hardest part will be protecting the light itself??

[HRG.]

Try the centre punch trick first. Make a small dot then gradually angle the punch with each tap so the screw comes out.

[Incredible Sulk]

HRG. said:

Try the centre punch trick first. Make a small dot then gradually angle the punch with each tap so the screw comes out.

I think that might bust the lens................

[109 Bob]

I have no experience with that particular vehicle but wouldn't it be possible to leave the light assembly in place & access the wiring from behind.

[Platinum]

Use a dremel or similar to cut a slot in the head, then use a screwdriver...?

[Bourj]

Probably not enough room, but you could try a hacksaw blade and cut a slot in to the screw. Then use a flat blade to remove.

[swansea v6]

Have tried to access the wires from behind the bumper....no access at all...regarding the hacksaw I really don't have the room to do it as the screw is sunken into the light, if that makes sense?

[matt1269]

I had the same problem when removing foglights, so used an angle grinder to remove the head of the screw, which resulted in the hot head falling onto my chest and burning through my jumper...

Not the most clever solution in hindsight...

[_Batty_]

109 Bob said:

I have no experience with that particular vehicle but wouldn't it be possible to leave the light assembly in place & access the wiring from behind.

not a chance.
drilling is your only option im afraid.
start small

[pacman1]

_Batty_ said:

109 Bob said:

I have no experience with that particular vehicle but wouldn't it be possible to leave the light assembly in place & access the wiring from behind.

not a chance.
drilling is your only option im afraid.
start small

Should be fun.. Most screws are case hardened. Drilling or hacksawing may not work.

[Whitean3]

Platinum said:

Use a dremel or similar to cut a slot in the head, then use a screwdriver...?

I'd go with this too. Neat solution if the dremel bit is small enough not to grind into the lens as well.

[Cyberprog]

Either Dremel it to cut a slot, or drill a small hole and use a stud extractor - these screw in the opposite way to the normal thread, then grip the hole you've drilled, which then allows you to unscrew the screw the normal direction.
Otherwise, drill the head off by working your way up drill bit sizes and then punch the thread out the hole. You may need to replace the spire nut or re-thread the hole though.

[p1esk]

pacman1 said:

_Batty_ said:

109 Bob said:

I have no experience with that particular vehicle but wouldn't it be possible to leave the light assembly in place & access the wiring from behind.

not a chance.
drilling is your only option im afraid.
start small

Should be fun.. Most screws are case hardened. Drilling or hacksawing may not work.

I think socket head screws (Allen screws etc.) are usually extremely hard and can't be drilled out by any standard metal cutting drill, but I don't think normal screws are particularly hard. I would think it's worth trying a bit of careful work with a very small drill.

Best wishes all,
Dave.