Topic: Stripped Phillips Head Case Screws

[UJM]

Sometimes even the impact driver will round them out, as mine did.

Couple suggestions, make sure you have the right bit and you might want to try a touch of valve lapping compound on it to help it "bite"

But, sometimes they strip, and here is one way that I have used successfully over the years.

Tools: A hammer and a pointed drift

I use the drift to tap the screw loose - works great most of the time!



When it fails, there are other options -

 

[UJM]

Here was a "difficult" cam bolt on a Porsche 944 -







Sometimes you drill the hole to the proper size, in this case, is was an allen head, so it self-rounded itself to the proper size.

 

[UJM]

Sometimes, well, sometimes - you get it out -



But it was a little more than you bargained for.....

Other side:



It's nice when you can tap tap tap 'em out.......

[Don R]

If the head is exposed, cut a groove in it with a thin cut-off wheel and use a straight blade driver.

[Raul CB750K1]

If the head is exposed, I use first the impact screwdriver. If it doesnt work, usually the vise-grips do.

I have only had bad experience with extractors, three times I've used them, three times they broke and ruined the day -and the part-to-be-removed-

[mystic_1]

If the head is exposed, I use first the impact screwdriver. If it doesnt work, usually the vise-grips do.

+1, if the head of the screw is exposed than a pair of small vice-grips, carefully applied, will crack loose the screw heads.  Usually I find with these that the point of contact between the part and he backside of the screw head is the spot that's siezed, once you break that loose the threads turn out nicely.  The vice-grip trick is ideal for this.  You only need enough clearance to turn the screw by a couple of degrees.  You'll hear a little "tink!" as the screw frees up, then you can just turn it out with a screwdriver usually.

If the screw head is recessed into the part, I like to drill out the head of the screw until it falls off.  You can then usually remove the part and grip the protruding threads of the screw with vice-grips and turn it out.

mystic_1

[MoTo-BunnY]

If the head is exposed, cut a groove in it with a thin cut-off wheel and use a straight blade driver.

+1 - the Dremel tool is your friend!   I have also used the Dremel to square off stripped heads so that vise grips would REALLY grip on it good.

[sdmsc]

I came across this just yesterday. So I got out a screw extractor and drill bit.  One minute later - screw out.

I went for years working on random old vehicles before finally buying the extractor set, and it was silly. They are not expensive!
http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Industrial-53535-Extractor-5-Piece/dp/B00004YOBF/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1250123219&sr=1-9

[razor02097]

An impact driver is one of my best friends... not the air tool

[markb]

What I usually do is use a drill the same diameter as the screw and carefully drill until the head falls off.  The stripped out cross centers the drill on the head.  After you get the cover off you can usually turn the screw out by hand or put a vise grip on it.

[razor02097]

An impact driver is one of my best friends... not the air tool

Here here! 

And a good pair of hammers, one brass and one lead.

I use a mini sledge with my driver.  Controlled slow swing letting weight instead of inertia do the work.

[bshepherd]

hi i'm new to the fourm  i have been working on honda cb's for 30 plus years  and i'm still picking up new tircks all the time  back to stripped phillipheads screws   there not  they are j.i.s.    the j i s screw driver will even remove stripped  heads except in extreme cases   the jis screwdrivers   a set of 3  the best money you will ever spend     thanks  i'm allways looking for new ideas and love to share  Bev Shepherd Kincardine ont Canada

[Don R]

 A snap on 3/8" #3 socket on my craftsman battery impact removes almost all of them. They are often stuck on the cross-point's bit and need to be pulled off of it.