Screw for front derailleur broke

billyhead

Cycling home on the hybrid today and the screw used to tighten the front derailleur broke. Half of it is stuck and I can't get it out. Apart from having to get the whole front derailleur replaced is there anything I can try to remove it. I think it's a loss cause myself:(

magicbastarder

you mean the screw which clamps the band that holds the derailleur onto the frame?

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125844#Comment_120125844

Sorry. Yes that's what it is.

cletus

Is any of the screw sitting proud of the band? It might be possible to get a pair of vice grips onto it and unscrew the remainder of it.

Otherwise drilling it out is an option. You'll want a hss drill bit smaller that the bore of the screw, and a steady hand. A centre punch would be useful to stop the tip of the drill bit wandering

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125915#Comment_120125915

No part of the screw is sitting proud of the band. It cleanly snapped. I don't know how it could have happened. I was just cycling along and I noticed the derailer was suddenly lose.

cletus

It does seem a little unusual, but metal fatigue happens.

Can you post a picture, in case there's something we're missing that might mean not having to go at it with a drill

magicbastarder

i think with some derailleurs, the hole for the screw goes all the way through, so screwing it in (if you can get purchase on whatever is exposed) may be easier than screwing it out...

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125973#Comment_120125973

I was just thinking the same thing, if you go slowly with a drill bit, it might just catch the screw an continue to screw it in until it comes out the far side

billyhead

Thanks for the feedback folks. I don't have a drill bit so I think a trip to the LBS is in order.