Can't remove the front panel...screw in too tight!

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:33 pm

In my effort to remove the front interior panel (one w/ glove box) I've found out from Lostmycage that I have to remove the front panel first (the one w/ the Buddy logo). I can't for the life of me get that center screw removed. If I try any harder I'm going to strip the screw and then I'll be, well, screwed. Any tips/hints? Thanx!

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:40 pm

If a screwdriver doesn't work, try a ratchet with phillips adapter. Get the best/closest fit bit you can to the threads for maximum purchase. If the screw hasn't been moved in a while, what about some PbBlaster, WD-40, or the like?

Mine wasn't terribly hard, but it had only been half a year when I took the front panel off.

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm

Cheshire wrote:If a screwdriver doesn't work, try a ratchet with phillips adapter. Get the best/closest fit bit you can to the threads for maximum purchase. If the screw hasn't been moved in a while, what about some PbBlaster, WD-40, or the like?

Mine wasn't terribly hard, but it had only been half a year when I took the front panel off.

Thanx, Chesire. I'll give it a go. I've got it in my head to paint the Queen logo on the interior panel; it's going to rain all next week so it's the perfect time and I hate being stumped by a screw!

Gimpy · Post by **Gimpy** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:47 pm

Get an impact screw driver, most auto parts stores carry them. To use put the bit on the screw then hit the driver with a hammer, the screw will be rotated loose by the driver.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=37530

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:54 pm

The front center screw is a #3. Make sure you're using a screwdriver that's big enough to fully engage the points of the screw. The screws on the inside are #2's (the "standard" size screwdriver).

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:01 pm

Thanks, everyone, for the tips. I had originally tried with a screwdriver that was a bit too small but have moved up to a proper size. Still can't get 'er undone. I can see a slight rusty color around the washer under the screw, very faint but definately there. I'll spray some WD40 on it and wait awhile. I'm pretty sure that between that and the proper sized screwdriver I will be able to accomplish the mighty task of removing a screw!

Perkussion · Post by **Perkussion** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:21 am

Yup, a larger screwdriver is the key to getting that screw out.
Make sure you're pushing IN a bit while turning so you don't strip the 'star'.
I agree, a bit of WD-40 is a good plan, too.
Figure it was tightened by a powered driver of some sort as opposed to a person with a little screwdriver.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:06 am

I have a electric drill that works fine for taking it off. If you have anything similar, just slip in the right sized screw adapter, and take it off in a second.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:21 am

jfrost2 wrote:I have a electric drill that works fine for taking it off. If you have anything similar, just slip in the right sized screw adapter, and take it off in a second.

That's actually bad advice to give a person who might not be used to using a drill (assuming that's the case based on tool/hardware questions). There's absolutely no faster way to strip an already soft screw than to use a drill without knowing the nuances of the power tool. With trim screws, it's best to use a hand screw driver to avoid over tightening, slipping and gouging paneling or stripping out the screw.

You can actually mimic the impact action of the specialized tool by taking the right sized driver, inserting it firmly, being careful to have the shaft at 90 to the screw (this can be deceptive with the angles on body panels) and then firmly pressing in while twisting counterclockwise just a little bit at a time. Think 1/8th rotation increments as far as the ammount of effort. Relax, regrip, repress and twist again. 9 out of 10 times that'll get a stuck panel screw out without stripping.

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:29 am

You could ask a man to do it.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:31 am

bigbropgo wrote:You could ask a man to do it.

That's bad advice too. I'll let someone else tell you why.

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:35 am

Prob not cool. I'm definitely not as funny as I think I am.

When I had to remove the same screw on my pmx I got so frustrated I finally used a pair of vise grips and taped the handle lightly until free. It did mark up the head a bit, but I got it.

dawg onit · Post by **dawg onit** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:38 am

its not true but its funny

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:50 am

bigbropgo wrote: Prob not cool. I'm definitely not as funny as I think I am.

When I had to remove the same screw on my pmx I got so frustrated I finally used a pair of vise grips and taped the handle lightly until free. It did mark up the head a bit, but I got it.

Lol, I know that was unintentional, but it also sorta demonstrated my previous post.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:04 am

LuvMyScoot wrote:Thanks, everyone, for the tips. I had originally tried with a screwdriver that was a bit too small but have moved up to a proper size. Still can't get 'er undone. I can see a slight rusty color around the washer under the screw, very faint but definately there. I'll spray some WD40 on it and wait awhile. I'm pretty sure that between that and the proper sized screwdriver I will be able to accomplish the mighty task of removing a screw!

If rust is truly your issue, I've had good success with a product called Kroil
http://www.kanolabs.com/google/

I would definitely steer clear of power tools, drills, etc., as that's a quick way to problem.

Rob

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:22 am

Lostmycage wrote:
Lol, I know that was unintentional, but it also sorta demonstrated my previous post.

I just don't wanna be "that guy". I am a total dork but I shouldn't take shots at people.

Luvmyscoot, g'luck with the unscrewing.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:35 am

bigbropgo wrote:
Lostmycage wrote:
Lol, I know that was unintentional, but it also sorta demonstrated my previous post.
I just don't wanna be "that guy". I am a total dork but I shouldn't take shots at people.

Luvmyscoot, g'luck with the unscrewing.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you rarely posted then came out of no where with a comment like that, then there'd be some people on you for it. I'm pretty sure most folks on here know you were just being silly.

As a side note, when I taught carpentry (Stagecraft) there'd be both guys and girls. The guys always came in with the attitude that their "tools" gave them an innate knowledge of how real tools worked. They were always the first to royally screw up a project. The girls just wanted to learn and did so, usually remarkably well. Pretty much all it takes is a willingness to learn, patience and dexterity (not POWAH!!!). Nothing completely strips down a cocky man than pointing out how much of a tool he is in front of a group of his peers (including the gals that only had to be instructed once). I sometimes miss those days....

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:07 am

One thing to try is to insert a screwdriver of the correct size tightly into the screw then tapping the end of the (screwdriver) handle with a hammer a few times. The impact will sometimes break a screw loose.

dawg onit · Post by **dawg onit** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:49 am

pilot you are good in my book, and you always hold yourself in a good manner that ive seen. i saw a t shirt a few weeks ago that blew my mind. we were @ the saturday market here in phx, ( we are trying) and my lady points out this guy wearing a shirt that says: FEMINIST BITCHES LOVE ME. u aint "that guy"

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:51 am

bigbropgo wrote:You could ask a man to do it.

It's cool. At first I was like "Oh!" and then I smiled because I know you're just teasing. Right? RIGHT??

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:58 am

First time I removed my front panel that same center screw was really tight too. Couldn't' budge it with a regular phillips screwdriver, it was stripping the screw. Once I bought the bigger screwdriver I managed to get it out. It was a really tough one to move though. That's for sure.

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 5:02 am

jfrost2 wrote:I have a electric drill that works fine for taking it off. If you have anything similar, just slip in the right sized screw adapter, and take it off in a second.

Ok, I'm totally embarrassed. I use my circular saw because there's really no replacement for it. Ditto for the scroll saw. However, when it comes to screws I always reach for my screwdrivers. Easier than unpacking the drill, putting in the batteries, finding the right bit, yadda, yadda, yadda. Anyway, the drill took out the screw no problem. Of course, that's only because the WD40, and of course all my manual efforts, loosened it first

Thanks to everyone that tried to help me with my dilemma and for not laughing at me for being an idiot. Another reason to love Modern Buddy!

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:42 am

using the right tool first helps... even though iv never used this 7 buck tool its there for when i need it...

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 5:44 pm

I've been acused of having a 'screw lose' !!!!!!!

Vic · Post by **Vic** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:05 pm

Lostmycage wrote: As a side note, when I taught carpentry (Stagecraft) there'd be both guys and girls. The guys always came in with the attitude that their "tools" gave them an innate knowledge of how real tools worked. They were always the first to royally screw up a project. The girls just wanted to learn and did so, usually remarkably well. Pretty much all it takes is a willingness to learn, patience and dexterity (not POWAH!!!). Nothing completely strips down a cocky man than pointing out how much of a tool he is in front of a group of his peers (including the gals that only had to be instructed once). I sometimes miss those days....

When I was a Cub Scout Leader I volunteered at Summer Camp and I was "The Craft Lady"

Anyway, we did things like using almost microscopic nails to assemble catapults, boxes, and boats.

Most of the time, we had at least a few dads come along and "help" their sons to use the hammer, nails and such. I am certain that many of these armchair carpenters would be hard pressed to hang a picture straight, but when their son was supposed to nail 1/8 inch thick strips of wood to the 3/4 inch thick pieces of pine to make a "Pirate's Treasure Chest" they suddenly were Norm Abram.

Watching some of these these manly men and their poor little sons trying to use a full size hammer (I had smaller hammers but these guys refused to consider that the larger tool might not be the best choice for the task at hand

) in hands that could barely hold on to the hammer and spindly little arms that could barely lift the hammer itself trying to gently tap the head of a 1/2 inch finishing nail and not hit the equally tiny fingers attempting to hold on to said nail

... (I had some dads that were actually offended at my suggestion

to use a pair of needlenose pliers to prevent crushed fingers!)

I never will understand it, I guess... Unfortunately, these poor little boys probably learned their lessons about what makes "a man"

and went on to act like tools in your class.

Yeah, I miss it too...

-v