Best approach to removing broken headlight motor screws
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Wilmington
Car: Depends on the day!
Engine: the kind that runs on money
Transmission: One that holds up, I hope
Best approach to removing broken headlight motor screws
Steel screws in aluminum body. Anyone have a technique to removing these things. Drilling I am sure but bit is walking. Advise appriciated.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Ajax, ON
Car: 85Z28 87GTA 91GTA 98SS
Engine: SBC, LS-x
Transmission: T-5, 700-R4, T-56
Screw extractors. Sears sells them. It's like an aggressive screwdriver bit that bites into the stripped screw head.
If you want to drill them out then center punch first to make a little indent. Then start the bit slowly in the indent. It won't walk on you.
If you want to drill them out then center punch first to make a little indent. Then start the bit slowly in the indent. It won't walk on you.
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Car: 90 RS 'Vert, 88 IROC-Z, 88 Firebird
Engine: 305 ci tbi, 305 ci tpi, 350 ci tpi
Transmission: WC-T5, WC-T5, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.27, 3.27
The screws he is referring to are way too small to use a screw extractor. I'll take a guess and say you snapped off the heads of the screws attaching the motor cover to the actuator housing. It is common to snap these off. You REALLY have to soak them with penetrating oil (I prefer KROIL) or they snap off.
Here's the solution. You drill out the old screws completely through the screw and the previous threaded portion of the actuator housing. Now use a longer screw with a nut on the other end. I include a couple of 8-32 x 1/2" long slotted hex washer-head screws and 8-32 nuts with the headlight repair kits I sell just because it happens so frequently.
Good luck,
Lon
Here's the solution. You drill out the old screws completely through the screw and the previous threaded portion of the actuator housing. Now use a longer screw with a nut on the other end. I include a couple of 8-32 x 1/2" long slotted hex washer-head screws and 8-32 nuts with the headlight repair kits I sell just because it happens so frequently.
Good luck,
Lon
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