Unable to remove damaged screw

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dash7540 · #1 Post by **dash7540** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:06 pm

I was thinking about putting some Arctic Silver into my T42, but to do that I need to be able to remove the keyboard to access the internals - but one of the screw heads on the bottom of the chassis is worn out, that is, it's impossible to apply any torque to it with a screwdriver. I had managed to get it out halfway before this occurred and is stuck like that ever since.

The screw in question is screw 1a on page 79 of the ThinkPad Hardware Maintenance Manual. However, unlike in the picture they are NOT flat-head screws (the Phillips kind.)

Now my question is, how do I get this out? The ideal way is to carve a notch across the screw head so I can just use a flat-head screwdriver to remove it, but what would I use to do that on something so especially small? Also, the distance it's stuck in makes it impossible to use pliers to twist it out (the screw is located on the 'sloped' part of the ThinkPad.)

I really don't want to pay some ridiculous amount of money to order new screws (P/N 13R2916) from Lenovo, assuming I get this one out in the first place.

Thanks for any suggestions.

EOMtp · #2 Post by **EOMtp** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:45 pm

"Remove" the screw head by drilling into it dead center with a very sharp (new) bit. The screw kit, with enough screws for 3 Thinkpads + other goodies, costs $4.00 from IBM.

#3 Post by **GomJabbar** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:59 pm

EOMtp wrote:"Remove" the screw head by drilling into it dead center with a very sharp (new) bit. The screw kit, with enough screws for 3 Thinkpads + other goodies, costs $4.00 from IBM.

This is a good method with a drill press. I would not recommend it with an electric hand drill. Too easy for the drill to get away from you.

You could grind the head off with a Dremel type tool - if you have access to one.

You could glue a sleeve over the head of the screw with epoxy or superglue, then use pliers on the sleeve. You would have to be careful not to let any glue go past the screw. If you try this method, work from underneath (with the ThinkPad sitting upright, overhanging a table) so that any excess glue travels away from the bottom of the ThinkPad.

semaj · #4 Post by **semaj** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:48 pm

is it sticking out enough that you can use pliers to the sides of the screw?

tselling · #5 Post by **tselling** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:10 pm

I would try some super glue on a screwdriver head that just barely fits the screw. Attach firmly to the screw and hope it will give enough of a hold to get the screw out far enough to use plyers.

#6 Post by **Kyocera** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:21 pm

Last resort would be to try and dig the plastic out from around the screw head and get a good set of needle nose and grab the head and twist.

Website · #7 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:34 pm

I have actually had this happen before on some 600Es that I have purchased over the years. Except these were the really small screws that attach to the systemboard.

I used an even smaller flat head precision screwdriver to get deep into the center of the screw head. You also have to make sure to hold the screwdriver at a perfect 90degree angle from the head, adding pressure from the top pushing down so that the tension will help turn the screw.

dash7540 · #8 Post by **dash7540** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:44 pm

Thanks for your responses, they're giving me some inspiration to this problem.

I will try to see if I can get it out with different kinds of screwdrivers although I've tried using a precision kit already.

Unfortunately I don't have a dremel-type tool, so I'll probably end up going with the superglue method - definitely didn't think of that and seems quite feasible.

As for the screw kit, it seems to be $5.58 which is reasonable, but the $13.50 is quite outrageous, since they use a flat rate. Maybe there is something else I could get along with the kit to justify the shipping charge...

cmarti · #9 Post by **cmarti** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:44 pm

I am sure you will ending doing what Kyosera refer as the last resort

#10 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 8:43 am

This is not the first time this type of thing has been posted. This points out the fact that it is important to use quality precision screwdrivers, with tips in good condition; from the beginning. And when using the screwdriver, be careful that it is inserted properly in the screw head, with adequate downward pressure applied. Once a screw head becomes stripped, it can be hard to deal with.

Torx screws (AFAIK, not used in ThinkPads) are really great in this regard. Torx screw heads do not normally get stripped. I haven't seen a torx screwdriver tip round-off either. You just have to be careful when replacing the screw not to use too much turning force, or you could break the screw head off.

#11 Post by **BillMorrow** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:44 pm

there is a new design phillips screwdriver tip..
it has "teeth" that grip the inside of the phillips "slot" and work to prevent the screwdriver from "walking" up and out of the "slot"..
might be one of those will work to get that recalcitrant screw out of its hole..?!

#12 Post by **jdhurst** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:47 pm

BillMorrow wrote:there is a new design phillips screwdriver tip..
it has "teeth" that grip the inside of the phillips "slot" and work to prevent the screwdriver from "walking" up and out of the "slot"..
might be one of those will work to get that recalcitrant screw out of its hole..?!

IBM'ers used to carry those things around when fixing AS/400's and such like. They were made by Snap-ON. One particularly nice IBM technician gave me one. I love it. But this was a while back and there is not a small enough tip in my set. ... JD Hurst

Unable to remove damaged screw

Unable to remove damaged screw

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