Super duper rusted screw--won't budge
#1
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Super duper rusted screw--won't budge
I have two very very rusted screws on my license plates...
I was planning to put a license plate holder and replace the screws today however.... I tried and tried and all that was happening was me stripping the screw-head.
The darn thing won't budge--AT ALL.
Any ideas how to remove the screws?
I was planning to put a license plate holder and replace the screws today however.... I tried and tried and all that was happening was me stripping the screw-head.
The darn thing won't budge--AT ALL.
Any ideas how to remove the screws?
#2
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dremel tool to cut head of screw off, then drill remaining screw out. replace screws with hex screws. this is what i had to do. seems to be a problem on our cars. hope this helps.
#3
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PB blaster is the best.... its better then liquid wrench and better then wd-40 and its cheaper.. this stuff is no joke i just used it 2 days ago to do my exhaust and all of those bolts were rusted and seized and it worked like a gem and they came right out try spraying that stuff
#4
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Thanks for the info though.. I got regular screws. Perhaps I should go get the hex screws instead.
PB blaster is the best.... its better then liquid wrench and better then wd-40 and its cheaper.. this stuff is no joke i just used it 2 days ago to do my exhaust and all of those bolts were rusted and seized and it worked like a gem and they came right out try spraying that stuff
Thanks for the help.
#5
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i also had the same problem u did with one of my screws and try pushing in really hard with the screw driver so it doesnt slip and then try to screw it out it took me like 20 strait minutes but i was able to do it
#6
Suzuka Master
Once you get it out go down to Can. Tire and get SS ones and replace them .. I do it soon as I get the car .... been around a lot of years and got tired of that scenareo.
#7
Drifting
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+1 for PB Blaster. That shit frees up any rusted bolt. Spray it on and leave it for about 10 minutes, then come back with a hammer and tap the bolt head a bunch of times to help loosen the bond. Spray again and then try to turn it. If you're using a 12 point socket, change to a 6 point socket to avoid stripping out the bolt head.
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#8
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I am afraid to even touch it at this point.
+1 for PB Blaster. That shit frees up any rusted bolt. Spray it on and leave it for about 10 minutes, then come back with a hammer and tap the bolt head a bunch of times to help loosen the bond. Spray again and then try to turn it. If you're using a 12 point socket, change to a 6 point socket to avoid stripping out the bolt head.
Thanks for the further tips though.
#9
Rusted screws
Kroil is an excellent product for unfreezing rusted metal fasteners. I have heard that a 50/50 mix of ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) and Acetone is extremely effective as well. Have not tried it myself and am not at all certain that the Acetone may do a job on a paint job. There is a product on the market (several I believe) that comes in a tube uses a paste that has diamond dust in it. Put this stuff in the slot of the screw or the philips head or on the screwdriver head. The diamond dust digs into the metal of the screw head and provides the tip of the screwdriver a greatly improved grip on the screw. You may also wish to try to flatten the opposing sides of the screw to the point that you can get the tip of a good pair of vise grips on the screw. Good luck - and next time get some stainless steel screws at the hardware store. John
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I don't think you want to be smacking the license plate screws with anything. Good chance to dent or deform the deck lid lip behind the plate.
Kroil does work real well,(i'm actually surprised anyone else even knows what that is) but I'd go with bdogg's idea; use a Dremel and be done with it. Do you have a a plate frame? Other wise slide some thin metal or a piece of wood behind and around the screws in case you slip or get overzealous with the tool you're using. +3 on stainless screws
Kroil does work real well,(i'm actually surprised anyone else even knows what that is) but I'd go with bdogg's idea; use a Dremel and be done with it. Do you have a a plate frame? Other wise slide some thin metal or a piece of wood behind and around the screws in case you slip or get overzealous with the tool you're using. +3 on stainless screws
#13
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Very late update...
Got PB Blaster.... but it didn't work. If anything all it did was clean the rust that was on my license plate from the screw.
I suppose my other option is to go with bdogg's route. Use a dremel and cut the screw's head off... I'm just not sure how I would approach the cut since the head won't budge [thus has no possible gap] on the license plate.
I'm thinking of dremelling head on or something...
Got PB Blaster.... but it didn't work. If anything all it did was clean the rust that was on my license plate from the screw.
I suppose my other option is to go with bdogg's route. Use a dremel and cut the screw's head off... I'm just not sure how I would approach the cut since the head won't budge [thus has no possible gap] on the license plate.
I'm thinking of dremelling head on or something...
#15
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Pressure pliers work like a charm for me...all you have to do is "break" it free and then you'll most likely be able to get it out by hand.
Try it! Cheap and much easier than dremel and drill out method cause there's always a chance of hitting the threading with the drill.
J.
Try it! Cheap and much easier than dremel and drill out method cause there's always a chance of hitting the threading with the drill.
J.
#18
Suzuka Master
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Use the Dremel to cut another slot in the head then continue to try a large head screwdriver with vise grips attached to the shaft. You can apply pressure while turning with the vise grips. If no luck, drill through the middle of the screw and use an easyout or the like.
#20
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#24
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May have to cut your losses and start drilling out the center, start with a small bit, and keep it centered, sometimes, removing the center will take the pressure off the seized sized that are threaded on of the screw...then it'll start coming out with the your drill bit.
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justnspace (04-16-2013)
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RedsTL (04-16-2013)
#28
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#29
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Oh.. wait.. this is for a license plate.. nvm. I thought this was for rotor retention screws.
Seriously.. it's a fucking license plate.
Seriously.. it's a fucking license plate.
#31
Instructor
one of my screws was so rusted on my traded in 04 TL it broke the bracket when they were taking it off to swap license plates to my 07 TL luckily it was now the dealer's problem.
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justnspace (04-16-2013)
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