Stripped head on screw - advice

mirrormatrix

As per the title, I've managed to strip the head on the screw holding the plastic cover in place on my 8 spd MTB style shifter. Have tried using a bigger headed Philips screwdriver, rubber band all that sort of jazz, but to no avail. At this point the head is completely gone (soft metal I think). So much so that the hole is now pretty much round.

Anyone any experience of removing stripped screws? I really don't want to break the plastic cover to remove it as I don't know where I'll get another one.

I need to remove it in order to change the gear cable.

KK4SAM

Drill the centre through and use an easy out tool.

ted1

A screw extractor is what you need.
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/tools-diy/tools-tool-kits/laser-6-piece-screw-extractor-set

mirrormatrix

ted1 wrote: »

A screw extractor is what you need.
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/tools-diy/tools-tool-kits/laser-6-piece-screw-extractor-set

I'll give that a go so. Do you need to drill the entire way through the screw to remove it or will embedding that tool into the screw a cm or two be sufficient?

Satriale

mirrormatrix wrote: »

As per the title, I've managed to strip the head on the screw holding the plastic cover in place on my 8 spd MTB style shifter. Have tried using a bigger headed Philips screwdriver, rubber band all that sort of jazz, but to no avail. At this point the head is completely gone (soft metal I think). So much so that the hole is now pretty much round.

Anyone any experience of removing stripped screws? I really don't want to break the plastic cover to remove it as I don't know where I'll get another one.

I need to remove it in order to change the gear cable.

Can you drill the head off the screw completely so you are left with just the shaft/body? You could then slide the plastic cover off remove the screw body with a vice grip.

martyc5674

That will be a relatively small screw... you will need a small extractor and small drill bit and a great deal of care to go that route.

Have you a small snips??...if so one jaw of the small snips into the centre(the part you have rounded) other jaw on the outer edge of the screw squeeze tight and rotate...works a treat on all but the most stubborn.
Marty

KK4SAM

If the screw is not recessed then you could cut a slot with a hacksaw and use a flat screwdriver ?

Mycroft H

Pic of the screw?

mirrormatrix

Satriale wrote: »

Can you drill the head off the screw completely so you are left with just the shaft/body? You could then slide the plastic cover off remove the screw body with a vice grip.

This might work and seems like a fairly easy option. I also might be able to get at it with a dremel/hacksaw.

I'll put pics up later but shifter is similar to this:

http://cyclepath.ca/shop/images/230465.jpg

Screw on the bottom left is the one causing me the problems. Not entirely recessed which opens more possibilities.

I'm reluctant to try drilling the head of for fear of ruining the plastic or underlying mechanism.

Satriale

Start with a bit as close to the size of the screw body as you can guess, or maybe a mm bigger (the right side screw off should be same size), make sure the screw is well rounded so you dont slip and you can use it as a pilot hole, i'd bet the head will come off on the tip of the bit for a clean removal.

Mycroft H

mirrormatrix wrote: »

This might work and seems like a fairly easy option. I also might be able to get at it with a dremel/hacksaw.

I'll put pics up later but shifter is similar to this:

http://cyclepath.ca/shop/images/230465.jpg

Screw on the bottom left is the one causing me the problems. Not entirely recessed which opens more possibilities.

I'm reluctant to try drilling the head of for fear of ruining the plastic or underlying mechanism.

Did you use penetrating fluid?

GT85/plusgas/wd40?

triggermortis

Before you cut anything, try some screwgrab if you can get some. It's a gritty paste that will help the screw bit bite into the screw - also use a decent screwdriver. Screwdriver bits that have extra 'fins' on them grip better than those without.
Failing that, if the screw is fairly small, I would agree with trying to get rid of the head of the screw and use some grips to turn the shaft out once you have the cover off..easier than trying to use an easy-out if you've not used them before

mirrormatrix

Satriale wrote: »

Start with a bit as close to the size of the screw body as you can guess, or maybe a mm bigger (the right side screw off should be same size), make sure the screw is well rounded so you dont slip and you can use it as a pilot hole, i'd bet the head will come off on the tip of the bit for a clean removal.

This worked an absolute charm. Drilled screw, head snapped off as described. Even better, I used a slightly bigger bit, reversed the drill and managed to pull the rest of the old screw out!

Thanks for all the advice. I'm genuinely chuffed with managing to get that out intact and with no damage to surrounding area!!