 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Rusty screw recessed into plastic, any ideas? |
 
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10509  
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Does the screw turn or seized in ? 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.
Clayton. |
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1st Feb 2017 10:16pm |
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| NormanD Member Since: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Bristol Posts: 282 
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Used these once or twice, useful tool - https://www.amazon.ca/SpeedOut-Damaged-Scr...B00IRL3WP4 NormanD WE191
2015 110 XS Utility 2014 VW Caravelle 180 Executive |
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1st Feb 2017 10:23pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8578 
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Have not tried this myself but am wondering if you pop them into a normal domestic freezer for a couple of hours and see if the different thermal contraction rates would help.
Another idea is a freezer spray with a pipe type noozle aimed at the head of the screw. Again not tried it but might be worth considering. Brendan |
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1st Feb 2017 10:28pm |
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| jr1104 Member Since: 05 May 2016 Location: England Posts: 78 
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It doesn't seem to be turning, but I can't tell if that's just because there is no purchase on the screw head.
Freezing is an interesting idea! I'll make some space in the freezer, and give that a try... If that doesn't work then a screw extractor might be the only way. Thanks for your help |
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1st Feb 2017 10:47pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8578
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A word of caution, not knowing the plastic that your light is moulded from, there is what is known as a glass transition temperature. For most good quality thermoplastic has a Tg below -20C. Domestic freezer are normally set for about -18c.
Please do NOT drop the light on removal from the freezer as there is a possibility it might be brittle and fracture if dropped Brendan |
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1st Feb 2017 11:19pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19571
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Could you not cut the head off with a small grinder, relatively quickly would build up sod all heat.
Then unscrew what is left with pliers or similar. Depends very much on access and situation though. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧 |
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2nd Feb 2017 12:05am |
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| ARC99 Member Since: 19 Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1831 
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I suspect that when these lights were made no pilot hole was made in the receiving piece for the thread and the screws were driven in and the thread and plastic have welded together. You could try and tighten the screw slightly to break the weld then unscrew I have had success with this method in the past. Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to  us off.
Richard |
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2nd Feb 2017 11:58am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2287 
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Hello jr1104
I have found that it is best to absolutely use the best fitting screwdriver / socket etc on the first attempt to undo anything, that said if the heads of these screws are 'past their best' then you may be too late, if recessed and they won't (really won't) budge then grinding them out with a dremel is a possible option, then try to extract the remain screw...very difficult if embedded into plastic. One idea that just may work...try a really good penetrating oil...thinner than WD40...Plusgas for example, leave overnight, find that 'best fitting screwdriver' that really fits the head and don't undo but try to do these up very slightly...there is a fair chance that the tightening face of the screw is good...unless some 'Muppet' used a powered tool with the torque setting too high and 'rattled' these home. If the screw moves at all...relax and then try to back it out, has worked for me occasionally Good Luck SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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2nd Feb 2017 1:09pm |
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| jr1104 Member Since: 05 May 2016 Location: England Posts: 78
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Well, looks like this might be beyond help. I've tried getting the best fit of screwdriver, but there is no head to use. I've tried getting a screw extractor in, but the screw is too deep.
I'm at the point now where either the casing gets drilled out, or I give up and they go back in the shed to rust further... Some photos to give an idea of how inaccessible the screw is:  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Thanks for everyone's help so far! |
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6th Feb 2017 9:52pm |
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| Mash Member Since: 09 Feb 2015 Location: Guernsey Posts: 1674  
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How round are the heads? One trick is to get some plastic wrapper (sandwich bag ish) thickness and place it over the drivers head, this can sometimes give you just enough additional grip. Also have you tried tightening the screw first? I know both ideas sound mad but they do work and I have successfully used them when all other options have been used up. 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html 110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html 52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html D3 Hse - Fiona Capri 2l S - Anna Think I might have a problem............ |
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6th Feb 2017 10:20pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2287
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Hello jr1104
These are probably my last suggestions. If the screws are into plastic then there is a chance that if heated carefully, they would loosen (melt) the boss into which there are currently fixed. The screws may be fixed into a screwed insert heat welded into the case of the Spot Lights. I'm assuming that this is the normal way in to replace any defective bulb. Placing a Soldering Iron on the Screw Head, will transfer heat through the Screw and progressively heat the area currently 'locked'...It may just give you the 'freeing action' needed. You could...'accelerate' this process, by using a Micro Blow Torch (carefully)...these are very 'targeted' and could deliver just what you need. Or you could be one step closer to scrapping these...Maybe worth a try with an Iron to test this... 
The Iron bit would need to sit right in the Screw Head
My Micro Torch can be backed off to give a 'needle like' flame (far less than this graphically enhanced illustration) Good Luck SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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7th Feb 2017 9:45am |
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| Rup90 Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Sussex Posts: 32
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I had the same issue with some Safari lamps. In the end I used a 3mm drill and cut the head off. You need to be very precise and try not to let it slip out as it will soon cut through the plastic. Once the head has been removed from the remainder of the screw you made need a very thin screwdriver to prise the unit apart. Risky but worked for me.
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7th Feb 2017 9:56am |
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| jr1104 Member Since: 05 May 2016 Location: England Posts: 78
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Just wanted to say a final thanks to everyone for the help. Rup90's suggestion ended up being the one that worked, a bit of careful drill work and it came apart! Just need to get the remainder of the screw out the hole now...
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16th Feb 2017 10:39pm |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10509
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 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.
Clayton. |
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16th Feb 2017 11:35pm |
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