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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 47
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 47 |
The tapered screw retaining the outside door handle in the right front door lock on my 48 4dr Fleetline is damaged. The sides of the screw head have been chewed off, thus no slot for a screw driver to grab. How can I remove this tapered screw? Do I drill a hole and try to jam something in the hole to turn the screw? Thanks, Larry
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
Depends, is there enough of the head sticking out to use a small vicegrip? Drilling may damage the handle, but it sounds like you may have to sacrifice it to get it off. The tapered screw is a harden screw and may prove to be a real challenge to drill. Good luck, you may need it.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,433
ChatMaster - 2,000
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ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,433 |
Larry,
I just went through the same act you are describing with my 48 Fleetline outside door handle. Passenger side came off great, driver side was a bear. I wound up drilling a small hole through the tapered screw, tried an easy out and broke it because that tapered screw was really rusted in there. Then I drilled the screw out completely (use a drill bit a whisker smaller than the screw so you can tap the hole later). I did mess up the hole in the door handle shaft (didn't care because I was replacing the handle anyway). If you are reusing the handle and you mess it up, I think you can fill the hole with weld and redrill it if need be. Once you drill out the screw, you can get a small punch in the hole on an angle and give it a couple of sharp raps with a hammer to loosen the handle itself. The tapered screws are available from the Filling Station. Good luck.
ken48
VCCA 42589
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 206
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 206 |
I had a problem with the trim retainer screws on a BelAir. Rusted solid with no head left to grip. An old machinist watched me struggle for awhile, then came over and told me to go to a good tool supply store and ask for a couple of reverse twist drills. They're made to drill counter-clockwise. I got them a little smaller than the rusted screws, put my drill on reverse, and went to work. Most of them backed out on the drill before I got all the way through. A few I had to use a small machinist chisel, light tapping in the counter-clockwise direction, and they all came out clean. Worth a try!
Gene
52Conv
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