mrpiii Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 One of the rear license plate screws on my RX400 was frozen. In the process of trying to get it off the head snapped off. I'm hoping that I might be able to remove it if I remove the cover of the hatch on the inside and get at it from the other side. Can someone point me to a reference on how to remove the cover? Other suggestions appreciated
Jim Clark Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Have a drill? Get a reverse threaded screw remover. You'll need to drill a small hole in the remnants of the screw, then insert the screw remover (you'll need a small one for that problem) and it should get it out. Lubricants like WD-40 or Liquid Wrench will be a big help.
RX400h Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Another option is to use a center punch to create a divot in the center of the screw body. Then, drill out the screw body with successively larger drills until most of the old screw is gone. Sometimes you have to retap the threads but often, this is not necessary, depending upon how centered the initial hole in the screw body is.
mrpiii Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 Another option is to use a center punch to create a divot in the center of the screw body. Then, drill out the screw body with successively larger drills until most of the old screw is gone. Sometimes you have to retap the threads but often, this is not necessary, depending upon how centered the initial hole in the screw body is. I'll try the EZOut and failing that the drill. My concern is that the bolt is so frozen, I couldn't get it to loosen with a good screw driver (it's a bolt with a phillips head), that nothing short of drilling and re-tapping will remove it. I had enough leverage to snap the head cleanly off.
RX400h Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Did you spray it with WD-40 or similar? If a rusted screw, bolt, or nut doesn't budge with typical torque, I always give it a dose of WD-40 or Liquid Wrench, tap it a few times and wait a while before trying again. If a Phillips screw head strips, I can often create a large slot in the head using a Dremel tool with cutoff wheel. I then insert a flat blade screwdriver and remove the screw.
cduluk Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Also, next time use plastic screws. <_< Autozone has them in the correct size. They work perfectly, never seize, and never leave that rusty stain!
RX400h Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 ....or just go with titanium or stainless steel screws - no rust and much stronger than plastic! :)
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