Grab rail - screw stripped. How to remove?

[romnation]

I've managed to strip this middle screw here under the grab rail cover.

How can I remove this and where can I get the correct replacement screw? I've been going at it with an extractor bit set but have made very little progress. Not sure how the screw stripped in the first place. I'm assuming there must be some serious threadlocker on the screw.

[you you]

Are you sure its stripped ( threads gone) as opposed to rounded (turning surface gone)?

It looks like the latter. Youll need an extractor or drill it out. I'd suggest finding a friendly small garage to sort.

[Mel46]

It is very easy to cross-thread that particular bolt. I did that once and I had a heck of a time getting it out. I eventually used a vise grip on that tiny head and was able to turn it a little at a time. What a nightmare. Good luck.

[easyrider]

Hard to tell by that picture but it looks like the crown of the screw is ripped off. Try a small easy out, or like Mel says use small vise grip and hope you get a bite on it. You can also use a small sharp punch and work it out little by little with circular taps with a small hammer. Worst comes to worse just drill out the plastic around the screw and lift off the panel. Once the panel is off then you can grab it with the pliers and work it out. Replace panel without that screw or use a wide washer.

[Mel46]

I have one of these sets but I haven't used it yet. I bought it after messing up a screw head. Maybe you should get a set and try it. Who knows, it might work. :-/

https://smile.amazon.com/Damaged-Screw- ... yout&psc=1

[WhiteNoise]

On my iPad it looks like the head broke off? Yes, as said use a "well kept pair" of vise grips. Set them on it as precise as possible, lock then turn slowly in increments. I've stood surprised many times as this tool did it's magic. Work with it Slowly. Keep us posted

image.jpeg (73.96 KiB) Viewed 1370 times

IF that doesn't "bite it" then onto the next solve:
Bolt/screw extractor aka easy out: https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01925A-Ext ... ANFE1TVTWH

[GeorgeSK]

Centerpunch, drill, and easy-out will work. Mel's extractor set might as well - I have one but haven't put it to the test. Same deal though - DO centerpuch the middle before trying any of this "drill it out" stuff. File or grind smooth with a dremel if necessary.

Another oddball option is tip-gripping pliers. My son found (and got me) the PZ-57 and PZ-55 size of these: https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-Neji-sa ... Src=detail
I think the 59's would be big for your task, and the 57s maybe a bit small. I did find some 55's on ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/p/Engineer-Inc-Scr ... 1321647669
and alibaba:
https://otakekouki.trustpass.alibaba.co ... PZ_55.html#!

Unfortunately, these tools are coming from far away, and I don't think Amazon prime will help you much.

Good luck. If I didn't have the foo-foo pliers to try, I would just go the easy-out route. But God help you if you break a hardened easy-out in the hole....

[springer1]

I've managed to strip this middle screw here under the grab rail cover.

How can I remove this and where can I get the correct replacement screw? I've been going at it with an extractor bit set but have made very little progress. Not sure how the screw stripped in the first place. I'm assuming there must be some serious threadlocker on the screw.

If vice grips don't work, is there enough room for a Dremel to cut a groove across the head for a blade screwdriver ?

To best use an extractor, get a set of "left handed drill bits" which work like normal bits, but in the reverse direction. About 50% of the time they are used to drill an extractor hole in a bolt/ screw, their reverse bite will actually catch and turn out the bolt without even needing to use the extractor. Hope this happens, because the problem with an extractor is that if they snap off flush, their are just awful to get out.

Don't try removing any more fasteners until you first get the correct size hex wrench, Phillips or blade screwdriver that matches it.

[romnation]

Centerpunch, drill, and easy-out will work. Mel's extractor set might as well - I have one but haven't put it to the test. Same deal though - DO centerpuch the middle before trying any of this "drill it out" stuff. File or grind smooth with a dremel if necessary.

Another oddball option is tip-gripping pliers. My son found (and got me) the PZ-57 and PZ-55 size of these: https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-Neji-sa ... Src=detail
I think the 59's would be big for your task, and the 57s maybe a bit small. I did find some 55's on ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/p/Engineer-Inc-Scr ... 1321647669
and alibaba:
https://otakekouki.trustpass.alibaba.co ... PZ_55.html#!

Unfortunately, these tools are coming from far away, and I don't think Amazon prime will help you much.

Good luck. If I didn't have the foo-foo pliers to try, I would just go the easy-out route. But God help you if you break a hardened easy-out in the hole....

So after trying a dremel and finding out that i couldn't fit the dremel wheel in due to the recessed area and managed to bang up the plastic a bit with the wheel. I began cursing then I ordered the PZ-55 pliers. These didn't work either and I was about to give up, however I went out and bought a can of Pb Blaster and tried again using literally all of my strength and two hands to grab the bolt with the screw extracting pliers. CRACK! The sound of freedom! i finally managed to get the damn thing.

Thank you for the oddball suggestion. Will definitely be being more careful from now on.

[GeorgeSK]

I'll bet that was one happy moment! Glad you beat the sucker.

given your success with the pliers, I will take my sets out of the "maybe useful but they can live here for now" area of the shop and give them a more prominent location.

I only hope that I'll be able to remember the new clever place that I put them in....

[Old Grinner]

Congratulations!