I'm having an issue removing three screws on the top portion of the dash near the windshield. They rotate as if they are going to come out, but simply stay in place. I've tried wedging a flat head screwdriver in between to help back it out, and push on the tip of the screw with the flat head, but am still without out luck.





My first thought it the back of the screws have rust on them, preventing them from backing through the clip. That or the clip is deformed in some way, only allowing the screw to rotate and not unthread.

Any suggestions, or has anyone run into this issue?

This vehicle is a 1982 Trans Am.

 

I haven't had problems with this specific part but I have had problems with the clips breaking and it just turning forever. What I do is take a pair of pliers and grab the clip so it can't rotate while I am unscrewing the nut, bolt or screw.

 

I had the same exact problem with an '82 T/A a few years ago. The factory over tightened the screws and stripped a small area of the threads off.

I was able to remove them by spinning them quickly with a drill and putting some outward pressure on them with a flat blade screw driver. Once the clip grabs some good threads on the screw they will spin right out.

 

As was already stated above it does look like you can get to the back of them sticking a pair of needle noses pliers behind the sheet metal but you might need ones with the tip bent to the side like this " L' (Thats upside down). I picked one up at Harbor freight but you should be able to find one any place that sells tools.