Community Forums

diandtom · 06-17-2011, 06:27 PM

I got a few trim screws broken. Anyone got a good way to back the screws back out ? I been just putting some sealant over the hole.

RVhauler · 06-17-2011, 10:25 PM

Not to my knowledge. The only way I have ever been able to get broken screws out of something like trim is to remove the rest of the screws and then trim piece and then grasp broken screws with small vice grips and usually first have to use a pair of side cutters to grasp the broken shank and turn it out far enough to use vice grips

Ray,IN · 06-18-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVhauler

Not to my knowledge. The only way I have ever been able to get broken screws out of something like trim is to remove the rest of the screws and then trim piece and then grasp broken screws with small vice grips and usually first have to use a pair of side cutters to grasp the broken shank and turn it out far enough to use vice grips

Ditto.

RV Wizard · 06-19-2011, 02:56 AM

With a good quality drill bit the size of the shaft of the screw (just smaller than the width of the threads), you can slowly drill out the old screw and install a new on. The screws are relatively hard steel but with patients and the right speed of drill can (with practice) drill out the old ones with the trim still intact. Tip: center punch the broken screw first to keep drill bit from wandering off to its edge of broken screw. This requires a good high quality bit, one that is harder steel than the screw, and drill speed that does not burn the point of the bit. I usually have to do on an average of one a day on customer coaches and 95% of the time I am successful at not slipping off and drill out the edge of the broken screw.

Chickadee · 06-19-2011, 04:45 AM

Hi:

Say, isn't there a set of bits for power drills for use in backing out screws with stripped and/or broken off heads?? These special bits have a reverse direction cutting point which, when applied to the broken screw head or shank with the drill in reverse, bite into the broken screw and grab it backing the broken shank out. We haven't had this problem (yet !) but I sure thought there were these kinds of bits.

Good Luck.

Steve

mahon1993 · 06-19-2011, 05:22 AM

You could also try a "left handed" drill bit. The cutting edge of the bit is reversed from a normal bit so as you are drilling out the screw it tends to back out the screw. My local True Value has them or try an industrial supply company.
I think the problem with broken trim screws and such is that the manufactures use "cheap" screws, combine that with the use of power screw drivers that overdrive the screw. I have had the heads break off on many of them.
Greg