Community Forums

CharlieTwo · 03-24-2012, 09:13 AM

The roof top cover for my air conditioner unit has four screws that hold it down. I was going to take it off and clean the unit up, but one of the screws just spins. I figure that the nuts must be spot welded onto the frame of the air conditioner and must have broken loose. The only thing I can figure out to fix the problem is to grind off the head of the screw, but that would be difficult to do since the screw is recessed into the cover itself. Any ideas? I would hate to have to have the unit serviced and have to pay a bunch for getting that screw out before they can work on it.

scenic route · 03-24-2012, 10:53 AM

Try using a thin chisel between the fastener head the shroud while backing out the screw...the outward tension on the nut plate may be just enough to stop the nut from turning and be able to remove the screw. Otherwise, you may just have to drill the screw head off. Bob

1ciderdog · 03-24-2012, 10:57 AM

Can you get a vice gripe or pliers on the head of the screw and pull out while you turn it?

CharlieTwo · 03-24-2012, 12:27 PM

I will try the chisel trick if there is enough room. I can't get a vice grip on it. If I try to drill it, the head will just spin.

wanderso · 03-24-2012, 01:54 PM

I was lucky that this didn't happen to me, but they sure can get tight. (rust) After I removed mine, I placed some silicone grease on the threads for easier removal next time.

OldChief7155 · 03-25-2012, 04:59 AM

Take care doing it but "mutilate" the cover a bit around the guilty screw. It might not even have a nut behind it, just a self tapping screw. Put a large washer under a new screw head to cover your "modification" and you're done.