Technical Help loosening a taillight screw

ACME at your service...the roadrunner is watching...

 

I am unable to offer any sound advice due to the lack of clarity in your original post

In this particular situation, specifics do matter

Are you attempting to save the screw or the tail light?

 

I'm going to assume it's the light assembly complete...and the screw if possible I suppose...but the loss of a screw far outweighs destroying the other components...just an opinion of course...

 

vinegar or muriatic acid works well but don't forget it if submerging to soak, drill it, grind it if all else fails, heat from any source I don't believe is a good idea..

 

Ahhh BUT you must never forget the old saying "one mans trash is another mans treasure" which therefore also means, one mans treasure is another mans trash.

You see the light and bezel as being treasure while the screw is trash BUT, we truly have no idea FOR CERTAIN how the OP views these two items

 

I never have that problem, as everyone always tells me I have a screw loose.

 

You're right...Grand in the movie The Magic Christian bought a priceless painting for a phenomenal amount of money just to turn around and cut the nose out of it causing the curator to near die of a heart attack...

Okay got the Screw...call the crusher...

 

Grind a screwdriver tip straight, no taper or bevel, to the same width as the slot.
Or find a gunsmith screwdriver the correct size.
I use Gibbs, and soak the screw front and back. Remove old paint from back side.
Use a soldering iron to get some heat in to the backside.
Take the ground screwdriver and try to TIGHTEN the screw just a little.
Then try to loosen it. Repeat if needed. Tighten, loosen, etc.

 

Will it out...

 

Not saving the screw. All good suggestions I am going to let it soak a few more days and attempt something. It is an awkward chunk to stabilize and the 39 Plymouth taillights are a one year only. Will update as I progress. Joe

 

@hotrodA beat me to it: Soak the thing good and proper, get the biggest/best fitting driver that will fit, and then start out by trying to TIGHTEN the screw (this may seem counter-intuitive, but it works and helps prevent damaging the slot in the "off" direction). Once you get it to move just a little, you should be able to work it back and forth.

If that fails, try grinding the back end of the screw as others have suggested with a dremmel burr, in hopes the vibration and heat will break the rust bond. Also switch to Kroil-brand penetrant, which is far superior; apply while still hot from grinding. Then once again, try to tighten it first.

Drilling is your last resort, if all of the above fail.

 

Use the citric acid or the vinegar soak. Let it soak for a few days and see if it comes out easily. If not, return it to the soak and let it set for a week..........continue doing that and it WILL loosen. Sometimes it just has to soak for quite a while. Work on other things...........

 

I'll pass this information along from a old friend... He swore by it and helped guys out with his process, Not just with tail light screws , but trim screws, And grill screws as well. Still sounds weird to me, But here it goes.

Stick with me guys, this is goofy, but it worked for him.... Chuck is a Catholic, And would collect up the white ceremonial candles when they were burned up to stubs. He swore the wax (as he called it "a high quality and fine wax") would follow the threads through the contact area, and loosen the grip. He insisted just a few seconds with no more heat than the flame of a lighter would do the job. He would also use a "hollow ground" screwdriver and heavy pressure. He always had great success with this procedure.

I have never personally tried this, (and I'm not Catholic).... But if you want to give it a go, have at it. And if you do, give us a progress report as I'm curious on it it works for other people,..... Or just Chuck.

 

If you have never worked with vinegar before, I do not recommend making your first try with a valuable part. It is an acid. I have used it to good effect, but ruined a few parts along the way.

 

the wax often works, for non-catholic s also

you can also lay an appropriate size nail in the slot, j-b weld it, tighten slightly,
then loosen, then Kroil Oil, then back and forth.

patience Grasshopper, patience. !!!

 

Are you sure that shouldn't read "Hallowed Ground"?

 

Get you some of this! It works!




Bones

 

by51>>>Get you some of this! It works! >>>

Do they also offer you a choice of grabbing a loose or a tight one?

 

Miraculous.............



(PS: I'm a Catholic)

 

I know you didn't want to use heat, but 2 min with a propane torch on the back side of the screw and it will turn right out, propane wont get hot enough to damage the bezel, just pint it away from the glass and you'll be fine. I've done it that way several times.

 

As @Stogy said, but use a hand impact driver instead of a screwdriver.

 

Wax is a known lubricant so yes...

We used to use wax type lube stick in aviation for drilling aluminum, installing fasteners...they even diluted it in some liquids...maybe alcohol or isopropal...it was a secret sauce for getting stuck fasteners out...

So they could be birthday candles...just lick the icing off first...

 

Thank you...These come in different sizes too...Your way Harbor Freight would have them...honestly I was really impressed how well it worked...I did find a hard tip plastic mallet works well and preserves the tool...steel mushrooms it...

 

I bought some of those wax seals they use under toilets.........It works good for lubing my bandsaw blades. I find the new ones work best.........

 

Yes, they work great. I bought mine from Sears back in the middle 1970's. It has gotten out alot of problem screws for me. Haven't had any problems with it mushrooming and I've always used a regular or ball peen hammer.

 

>>>use a hand impact driver instead of a screwdriver.>>>
>>>Yes, they work great.>>>

 

Not properly supported and/or hit way to hard. I would have put a nut or piece of wood with hole to go around screw under it for support.

 

The wax to use is bees wax, not paraffin.

 

Perfection, can not be rushed !
Please post a picture of when the screw is finally extracted, and let us know what piece of advice worked the best for you!

 

Soak it in citric acid.
No heat.
No hammering.
No harm.
And it'll work.
Guarawnteeeeed.