Best way to remove stripped screws???

Well, this isn't the daintiest method, but I butt weld a hex screw on to the top of it and put a socket on and twist it out.

Philips screws should be banned from the face of the earth....

 

Best way is to grind the ends of the head (very carefully)to form a flat on each side (creating a new head). You can use a dremel tool or even a small file to do this. Then you can loosen the screws with a small "open" standard wrench or adjustable wrench.



If all else fails, you will need to use an "easy-out" set, which can be bought at a local automotive supply shop, or machine shop supplier. This comprises of drilling a hole into the screw and inserting the "easy-out" bit into the hole, then unscrewing both the damaged screw and bit together....works 99% of the time.

 

Left Hand Drill Bit

Left Hand Heavy Duty, Surface Treated, Jobbers Length High Speed Steel Fractional Drill Bits

Tip: If you use a left-hand bit to drill the hole in a broken screw or bolt so you can extract it, the odds are good that the very act of drilling will remove the broken screw without ever needing to use the extractor. Your drill must be running in reverse when you use left-hand bits.

 

If the head is not countersunk and
1) you have the room to make even the slightest bit of a turn, you can try grabbing it with a small vise-grip.

2) you don't have a lot of room around the screw, a large pair of side cutters, can sometime dig into the sides of the head sufficiently to twist it loose.

3) Sometimes you can cut a slot in the head, with a dremel tool, or a hacksaw and use a standard driver.

also Craftsman has a damaged screw extractor set that has worked for me before...

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0855754931.1174925076@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccehaddkhjehiigcefecemldffidfmg.0&pid=00952154000&cat=Hand+Tools,+General+Purpose&subcat=Bolt-Out,+Taps+%26+Dies&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

 

You don't want to damage the gate. The least risk would be to drill and use an "easy out" or screw extractor. I have never had much luck with trying to cut a new notch or flat into the screw, and here you definitely don't want to damage the gate.

 

I've had one of these http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Mechanics+Tools&subcat=Automotive+Specialty+Tools&pid=00947641000 for years, it has never failed me yet.

 

+1 those are pretty awesome especially with screws that have rusted.

 

Ditto this approach as the cleanest method

 

Nice part of a stripped head on a phillips screw is it makes it's own center. Those are 6mm so use that center for drilling and use a drill bit a little larger than 1/4 inch. Just drill down until the head falls off (will be easy), lift off the gate and twist the remains of the screw out with your fingers.

An impact driver like Ferrardriver shows is great if there is some remaining slot of the original screw in place. Phillips screws are a great device to cause trouble for those that do not know how to tighten a fastener, for those that do they are great.

 

Right, the 'Phillips' screw is actually a Machine screw cross recess, now you know why it's called phillips!

there are 3 classifications, Type I, IA, II each with varying depth, recess dia and width. this is also why you have 3 different sized screw drivers, most don't notice the difference and use the wrong the screwdriver and strip the recess. I prefer them to the slotted brethren.

 

The console does not appear all that strong. I'm not so sure you would want to be hammering on it with that impact driver.

 

You would not be hammering on the console. The screws go into the shift box. The shift box is bolted to the floor.

 

Ah, I see, thanks Brian!

 

I personally prefer the drill method, and then use an appropriate Sears extractor.

 

+1

 

I have had luck using a drill bit just slightly smaller than the head. Drill a little at a time until you have removed the entire head. Once all screws are done and you can remove the object you will have a bit of screww sticking up to put vice grips on.

 

This post shows how I used a screw extractor to get the MOMO steering wheel screws out.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=136247322&postcount=177


I can't recall offhand but if the screws are the same size as those on the steering wheel, using the screw extractor should be safe.

I have two types of extractors. Sears sells some extractors that are square with 4 biting surfaces. I did not think those worked as well as the helicoid one pictured, which came from a hardware store.

 

I would drill the head off it, and remove the rest later,

1. you won't damage the (expensive) gate.

2. the screws are countersunk, and if it's so tight the head is damaged, chances are you won't get it out with one of the above methods.

3. it's likely the remains will unscrew by hand once the gate is off out of the way.

 

I agree w/drilling the head off. Usually it's the head that's binding, not the threads.

Also it gets the plated shift gate off so you can address the remainder of the screw.

 

This stupid $25 tool will save you so much trouble! It should be standard equipment in every mechanics toolbox (cars & motorcycles). If you use it (before stripping the head) The screws will come right out, no damage.

Getting the stripped screws out? Hmmmmmmm........ start slow, try the Sears screw removers, ............... then go to the left hand drill bits (start small, work up). Remove gate, try small vise grip.
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If there is a little bit of tooth in the phillips, sometimes you can use a dab of valve grinding paste or even a thick paste of comet abrasive cleaner and water to provide a slightly better grip. YMMV

Jeff Pintler
89 348tb, 86 tr