The screw isn't quite completely stripped... - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

oatmeal · 10-20-2005, 01:33 PM

Not completely. Damn close.

It's a phillips head screw, too damn tight to loosen. I need to remove it to get my turn signal off, but the more I try the more metal shaves off the head of the screw. I tried to get some WD40 into it, but it doesn't help.

I've NEVER been able to get screws out once they've started to strip like this. What now?

DrBob · 10-20-2005, 03:11 PM

Craftsman makes some good screw extractors. Or drill out the screw and use a conventional screw extractor. Or if you have a die grinder or demmel tool cut a slot across the screw and use a large regular screw driver. Or break the darn plastic turn signal off and you have an excuse to buy some cool new ones!

oatmeal · 10-20-2005, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBob

Or break the darn plastic turn signal off and you have an excuse to buy some cool new ones!

Exactly why I need to get this screw out. The plastic one cracked.

BTW: Anyone know where I can pick up a cheap 2005/2006 S40 left/rear turn signal casing?

stevie c · 10-20-2005, 05:10 PM

Can you get hold of the head of the screw with a set of mole-grips? You might call the something else there, but basically it is a wrench that has a thread on so you can lock it with the grippy bit open as much or as little as you like.

**Clint** · 10-20-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevie c

Can you get hold of the head of the screw with a set of mole-grips? You might call the something else there, but basically it is a wrench that has a thread on so you can lock it with the grippy bit open as much or as little as you like.

Vice-Grips (TM) or locking pliers. Oh, and it's "part", not "bit".

stevie c · 10-21-2005, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Vice-Grips (TM) or locking pliers. Oh, and it's "part", not "bit".

Sorry mate....
....hang on! Am I being taught English by an American....?

**Clint** · 10-21-2005, 07:54 AM

Hehe. Dang colonials.

md2lgyk · 10-21-2005, 09:49 AM

Actually, it's VISE-grips.

oatmeal · 10-21-2005, 12:45 PM

I've got a crappy, cheapo vice grip. I don't think it would be equal to grasping this. I suppose it couldn't hurt to try...

stevie c · 10-21-2005, 05:15 PM

Let us know how you get on Oatmeal, but remember that if your 'VISE-grips' are rubbish and just chew up the head you are better off leaving the job until you get a decent tool while there is still a decent lump to get hold of.

**Clint** · 10-21-2005, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by md2lgyk

Actually, it's VISE-grips.

That's two errors in one day. I'm so ashamed.

oatmeal · 10-22-2005, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevie c

Let us know how you get on Oatmeal, but remember that if your 'VISE-grips' are rubbish and just chew up the head you are better off leaving the job until you get a decent tool while there is still a decent lump to get hold of.

It wasn't working and it looked to chew up the screw, so I just left off.

ForbidInjustice · 10-26-2005, 07:00 PM

I caught hell with a bar end screw [as you can see if you search previous posts]. Yes, Craftsman does make some good screw extractors. Go for the good stuff. I bought a $10 one and ended up breaking it off inside the screw, and took forever to get my bar end right again. How big is the screw you are working with?

Take it down to a local bike shop. Chances are, the mechanic will do what the one around here did.. do a little magic with some Vise-grips and some ratchet-looking-thingy and tell you to have a nice day. That's much easier than removing it yourself.

I also tried drilling through the screw. Unless you know what you're doing, it's not a good idea to drill it out, because then you may have a mess on your hands.

**87gsxrnut** · 10-26-2005, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Or if you have a die grinder or demmel tool cut a slot across the screw and use a large regular screw driver.

In addition, use a hammer and tap the screw w/the driver at an angle to loosen. Done it a thousand times.

- Nut

doctorchopper · 10-28-2005, 05:41 PM

Left hand drill bits are the answer, I have to deal with stripped screws every day on inspection panels and I find that left hand drill bits work the best. Snap on makes them, they cost me 25 Canadian dollars, worth every penny. You just drill a small hole, go 2 sizes larger on the drill bit and as you are drilling, the bit catches and backs the screw out

10-20-2005, 01:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
oatmeal Ditch Magnet Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: Suzuki S40 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 168	The screw isn't quite completely stripped... Not completely. Damn close. It's a phillips head screw, too damn tight to loosen. I need to remove it to get my turn signal off, but the more I try the more metal shaves off the head of the screw. I tried to get some WD40 into it, but it doesn't help. I've NEVER been able to get screws out once they've started to strip like this. What now? __________________ The more I learn, the more I realize how much I have yet to learn. - oats Thanks for the tip. I'll pass it on. My riding log.

10-20-2005, 03:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,763	Craftsman makes some good screw extractors. Or drill out the screw and use a conventional screw extractor. Or if you have a die grinder or demmel tool cut a slot across the screw and use a large regular screw driver. Or break the darn plastic turn signal off and you have an excuse to buy some cool new ones! __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

10-20-2005, 05:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
stevie c Sit speling cheker Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: GSX-R 600 K1 Location: Northants,UK Posts: 1,631	Can you get hold of the head of the screw with a set of mole-grips? You might call the something else there, but basically it is a wrench that has a thread on so you can lock it with the grippy bit open as much or as little as you like. __________________ Stevie C '02 Gixer 600 K1,Yellow and Black (fastest colour!), always beats red ones!! Why put off until tomorrow what you can get someone else to do for you today.

10-21-2005, 09:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
md2lgyk Wants Better Weather Joined: May 2004 Bike: '03 Marauder 800 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 665	Actually, it's VISE-grips. __________________ "The great object is, that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." - Thomas Jefferson

10-21-2005, 12:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
oatmeal Ditch Magnet Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: Suzuki S40 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 168	I've got a crappy, cheapo vice grip. I don't think it would be equal to grasping this. I suppose it couldn't hurt to try... __________________ The more I learn, the more I realize how much I have yet to learn. - oats Thanks for the tip. I'll pass it on. My riding log. Last edited by oatmeal; 10-21-2005 at 12:49 PM.

10-21-2005, 05:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
stevie c Sit speling cheker Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: GSX-R 600 K1 Location: Northants,UK Posts: 1,631	Let us know how you get on Oatmeal, but remember that if your 'VISE-grips' are rubbish and just chew up the head you are better off leaving the job until you get a decent tool while there is still a decent lump to get hold of. __________________ Stevie C '02 Gixer 600 K1,Yellow and Black (fastest colour!), always beats red ones!! Why put off until tomorrow what you can get someone else to do for you today.

10-26-2005, 07:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
ForbidInjustice Puddle Runner Joined: May 2005 Bike: 2007 GSX-R1000 Black/orange! Location: Fort Hood, Texas Posts: 352	I caught hell with a bar end screw [as you can see if you search previous posts]. Yes, Craftsman does make some good screw extractors. Go for the good stuff. I bought a $10 one and ended up breaking it off inside the screw, and took forever to get my bar end right again. How big is the screw you are working with? Take it down to a local bike shop. Chances are, the mechanic will do what the one around here did.. do a little magic with some Vise-grips and some ratchet-looking-thingy and tell you to have a nice day. That's much easier than removing it yourself. I also tried drilling through the screw. Unless you know what you're doing, it's not a good idea to drill it out, because then you may have a mess on your hands. __________________ U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security www.dhs.gov .. hence strength and security

10-28-2005, 05:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
doctorchopper Newbie Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4	Left hand drill bits are the answer, I have to deal with stripped screws every day on inspection panels and I find that left hand drill bits work the best. Snap on makes them, they cost me 25 Canadian dollars, worth every penny. You just drill a small hole, go 2 sizes larger on the drill bit and as you are drilling, the bit catches and backs the screw out

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