idosubaru Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 So this is a problem I've run into multiple times for years. Has to be a way to get them out. Need to remove the side view mirrors and the screws are insanely tight. Looking for a non-drilling method, that I can do. Has to be a better way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 First try smacking them as hard as you dare with a punch. There are also "impact screwdrivers" that you smack with a hammer - it's like an impact gun for screws. I have a battery operated impact - one made by Rigid - 18v, 120 Ft/lbs, and it's got an arbor like a screw gun - I normally run 1/4" or 3/8" socket adaptors but if I have screws to take it I just swap it with a regular driver bit. This is a GREAT method and rarely fails. The last option is a *propely* fitting screwdriver (Snap-On, Mac, etc) and some valve grinding compound on the tip to keep it from slipping. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 There are also "impact screwdrivers" that you smack with a hammer - it's like an impact gun for screws. I was into 70's japanese bikes in my post teen years and those things were held together with phillips head fasteners. I really want to track down the sadistic japanese engineer that thought using phillips would be a good idea and kick him in the nuts. anyway, it did make me the cold chisel expert I am today, then I found the impact screwdrivers that you hit with a hammer like GD mentioned. Those things are great because you can somewhat control the force you exert on the fastener. The battery impact ones I used have no torque control and tend to snap heads off if you're not careful, go ahead ask me how I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 My impact has a variable speed trigger like a drill motor so you can be pretty gentle with it. They may not all have that option though. I got the set with drill, impact, flashlight, radio, and two batts for $179 on sale at home cheapo. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I have had this exact problem before. I used a screw driver with the best fitting philips bit I could find, then attached vice grips to the screw driver shaft. I pushed in on the screw driver as hard as I could, then used the vice grips to rotate the screw driver blade. It worked. Why weren't bolts used to secure the door mirrors at the factory? Philips heads were a bad idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastEJ22T Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I work as an aircraft mechanic and spend days pulling hundreds of over torqued phillips screws. I use a long 1/4" wrench slipped over the phillips tip on my racheting screw driver. I also use a speeder handle, with a hockey puck size aluminum disk stuck on the end of the top handle. Then you can lean into the screw with your chest and really put some torque on it. Also i use "valve grinding compound" on the tip of my screw driver......just dip it in the tub of VGC and drive it into the screw......it fills in the gaps and really bites "literally" into the screw......use it and you barely ever strip a screw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 14.4v Snap-On impact with a phillips bit. Push on it real hard, be gentle to start, then let 'er rip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Get a proper screwdriver (with a hex fitting on the shaft) to fit the head, or the proper bit. Press down on the screwdriver while torquing the scredriver with a wrench. The longer the shaft of the scredriver the better. Also with one person applying torque to the screwdriver (with the wrench) and holding the handle, hit the head of the screwdriver with a hammer. This is where a good screwdriver is important. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbianchi Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Man all these suggestions are great, "sadistic japanese engineer that thought using phillips would be a good idea and kick him in the nuts". Not having an impact I have used a cordless drill with the torque setting medium high, letting it ratchet on the screw for awhile, sometimes works somtime not....................G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 there is no substitute for a GOOD handheld impact driver set. as mentioned, they are invaluable on older japanese bikes (and i concur with the kicking statement!! ) Using a power version i am sure is nice and all, BUT - you have a much larger amount of control with the good old fashioned handheld, hammer driven ones - from a light tap with a standard claw hammer, to a good solid smack with a mini sledge... just my .02 cents worth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 from a light tap with a standard claw hammer, to a good solid smack with a mini sledge... Is that for the screw or the engineer? i still think we kill the MF who invented shrinkwrap packaging first. May he die the death of 1000 papercuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 i still think we kill the MF who invented shrinkwrap packaging first. May he die the death of 1000 papercuts. Agreed, I say we give him a taste of his own medicine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik litchy Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Not having an impact I have used a cordless drill with the torque setting medium high, letting it ratchet on the screw for awhile, sometimes works somtime not....................G sometimes the right tool (in this case) is more than worth the extra effort wasted trying to be cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 where does one buy one of these impact screw drivers. I think i asked at the auto parts store a year or so ago and they didn't carry them. lowe's or something? i'm not sure whta they're called to look them up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Auto parts stores usually carry the cheapo ones. Lowes might have it, but I doubt it. This is the one I have from Mcmaster, it's worth spending a bit more as the cheap ones are, well cheap. Part number 6967A12 from Mcmaster.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Sears has them - like 20 bucks - often on sale. They have replaced mine 3 times in the last few years. I use it on Suby's for baffle plate screws and often side mirror removal. Always a nice meaty handle when the screw is broken loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themoneypit Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 ANTI SEEZE the bolts b4 you put them back on and im sure youll never have a problem getting them off again. im sure years of weather and corrosion on them is what makes them so tight in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 *sniff sniff* wow i am so proud of you guys *sniff* no one has mentioned a torch or vicegrips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 *sniff sniff* wow i am so proud of you guys *sniff* no one has mentioned a torch or vicegrips hehehehehe, a time and place Nipper, a time and place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 where does one buy one of these impact screw drivers. I think i asked at the auto parts store a year or so ago and they didn't carry them. lowe's or something? i'm not sure whta they're called to look them up? any place that sells tools in general should have them - they are called, "impact drivers" - usually have several bits in the kit - 2-3 phillips bits, a couple flat blades, and a few other odd bits. heck in a pinch the Harbor Freight cheepie works... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Is that for the screw or the engineer? i still think we kill the MF who invented shrinkwrap packaging first. May he die the death of 1000 papercuts. Whichever you prefer, nipper! Oo-Oo - yeah, what he said about the shrinkwrap packageing!! and lets not forget the danged hard plastic packageing that practically takes an impact hammer to get into!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 This may only be true with small carburetor screws, but japanese phillips heads are rumored to be 'different', and that an actual j-spec screwdriver makes a big difference. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik litchy Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 This may only be true with small carburetor screws, but japanese phillips heads are rumored to be 'different', and that an actual j-spec screwdriver makes a big difference. Dave if thats true thats just torture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 http://www.centralhobbies.com/tools/jis.html Probably only needed for small screws (like on a carb) also: http://www.amessupply.com/products1.cfm?aid=1&cid=D&sid=DE&fid=1404070 Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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