Rusted Screws!

[LMJ]

Utter nightmare, anything on the outside of my car (unless it's painted in the car's paint of course) - is rusted. Im talking in the way of NUMBER PLATE screw lights . And the black trim on the back needs to come off soon to make way for a reflective red one. Any ideas how to tackle this problem? I have to gain access to my no. plate light - one blew last week - so this is how the topic's raised .

Any help...?

I've tried drilling - slips everywhere - and I'm gonna end up having to buy a new light unit etc. Same story with the black trim.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Brummy]

the numberplate light ones should come out with persuasion, try blasting a bit of WD on them and letting it soak for a while.. the fixing under the centre 'S' on the main strip is NOT a standard screw, so easiest to get a pair of snipe-nosed pliars in there or try removing the inside panel and see if you can start it moving again with snipe nose pliars , then it does come out easier (just use a normal screw when refitting, though )

 

[AlpineWhite]

Those light screws were ok for me. If you can get access, a dremel can be used to cut a bigger slot for a screwdriver.

 

[LMJ]

there's no head on them whatsoever you know... that's why I've tried drilling it out. Thanks

 

[Fl@pper]

as brummy says the one on the rear reflector (inside the boot badge) is not a normal screw at all


get it from inside as even with the 'seat' special tool they never work proper

 

[AlpineWhite]

Wonder if a pair of these can get to those screws for the plate light?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_233715_langId_-1_categoryId_165469

They let you get a bit more gripping force than normal pliers.

 

[LMJ]

my mate has one of those... a full electrician's tool box - and that's probably the most valueble tool he has in there lol

 

[LMJ]

as brummy says the one on the rear reflector (inside the boot badge) is not a normal screw at all


get it from inside as even with the 'seat' special tool they never work proper

How do you mean mate? What do you recommend I do then?

 

[Brummy]

pliars!

 

[Fl@pper]

pliers!
:d

+1 [b)]

 

[LMJ]

 

[AlpineWhite]

That's knackered. Drill it out, start with a small drill tip and work up.

 

[LMJ]

yeah thought so haha. Well they have been there for like 13 years! Any ideas what I do once I want to put it back in. As for the next pic, was this ever a phillips cross head screw?

 

[LMJ]

 

[AlpineWhite]

Any ideas what I do once I want to put it back in

Time for new screws.

 

[Brummy]

the numberplate light ones should come out with persuasion, try blasting a bit of WD on them and letting it soak for a while.. the fixing under the centre 'S' on the main strip is NOT a standard screw, so easiest to get a pair of snipe-nosed pliars in there or try removing the inside panel and see if you can start it moving again with snipe nose pliars , then it does come out easier (just use a normal screw when refitting, though )

Post number two of the thread

 

[LMJ]

aah yeah sorry about that. Just assume it's one comment when it notifies me on this. Thanks! But what a stupid idea, what is it originally? Torx? Where can I get new screws from?

 

[Brummy]

Just use a philips headed one of the same size, thats all Ive ever done

 

[LMJ]

ook thanks!...

 

[orangemuffin]

haha, thats whats mine are like !