Replacing T42 keyboard and screw is burred!

[wonderdogger]

Nothing I try will make it turn. Any ideas how to remove it without damaging the casing?

[jkahng]

if you haven't already, try using a different size driver head.
also, tightening the screw a quarter turn helps loosen the stuck drive.
hope this helps...

[wonderdogger]

Thanks but it is too late for that. Its very burred.

[Harryc]

Many suggestions here -

http://ask.metafilter.com/64898/How-to- ... ptop-screw

This is why I'd try -

http://www.mytoolstore.com/hanson/extractr.html

[Nick Y]

You could possibly try some epoxy resin glue on to the top of the screwhead (-but don't let any spill over!) and carefully glue a screwdriver head into it. Once dry, unscrew carefully.

If you get the screw out, cut across the top with a hacksaw to make it re-useable with a flat-blade screwdriver.

[GomJabbar]

Personally I have my doubts that glueing a screwdriver to the screw will work. What might work is if you can find a piece of tubing (probably copper) that will just fit over the head of the screw. Put some epoxy in the end of the tubing, but wipe any excess off of the face of the tubing. Slide the tubing over the screwhead and let the epoxy harden overnight. After the epoxy has hardened, carefully turn the tubing without applying any sideways pressure that might break the glue bond. Holding the top of the tubing with your hand should help.

If the other methods don't work, get a Dremmel tool with a tiny grinding wheel. Carefully grind the head of the screw off, then remove the part the screw is securring. Once you have access to the base where the screw threads into, you should be able to take a small set of vice grip pliers or other pliers and grip the remains of the screw that is sticking out, and unscrew it.

EDIT: Note that all epoxies are not the same. Most epoxy sold includes a filler which weakens the bond. The strongest epoxies usually do not mix 50/50. I know that Devcon does make some strong epoxies, but not all of their varieties are high-strength. "Belzona" or "Velodur" brand epoxies are very strong and very expensive.

[sktn77a]

Thanks but it is too late for that. Its very burred.

Usually the screw head is just damaged in one direction (even though it look generally horrible!) so the tighten-to-loosen and then unscrew with a new screwdriver frequently works.

[baisley]

When I encouter these I simply take a drill the size of the diameter of the screw, not the head, and drill down thru the center. This will take the head of teh screw right off. If you are worried about metal chips.. apply grease to the screw head.. use compressed air afterwards to blow away chips.

Once its appart, you should be able to take a pair of plyers to what remains if the screw and remove. I have done this dozens of times to folks how have buggered up the thinkpad screws

[praetorian]

I used a similar method Nick Y suggested. I had a #3 keyboard screw strip pretty badly, where the Philips groove was more like a square. I bought some Loctite super glue and glued on a hex screw (8 cents at Home Depot). Then I used a wrench to turn the hex screw. (Note: this method only works if the screw is not recessed or already partially out)

I was quite skeptical the Loctite glue would hold, but it really worked and takes seconds to dry. Here's a link: (costs around $3)

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products ... 4&plid=192

If this hadn't worked for me (or if the screw is still recessed), I would have tried a screw extractor next. From what I hear, you would drill a hole first (at low speed) and then use a screw out bit in reverse (at low speed).

Here are some drill & screw-out sets if you have a Sears nearby ($18 to $40). These have the smallest size screw-out bit they have.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00966196000P
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952157000P

[Johan]

I recently - almost! - faced the same problem: One of the keyboard screws wouldn't come out. Finally, phew, I managed to get it out, but it sure is not usable again. Now looking a the keyboard which I replaced, I see the "screw tower" (having an inner thread - is that the correct name?), and even if you drill slightly too long, the keyboard will still be usable. Also, note that a new keyboard will have a small bag with it - holding three new screws.

Good luck - and try to be slow, careful, patient - then I hope you'll manage getting it out without damaging anything.

Best regards,

Johan

[ulrich.von.lich]

The last screw in the fan of my T43 just got burred. It was my fault not having the patience to wait for the correct screw driver set to arrive.

I bought some "super glue" in a local store and it didn't work at all. Is there a way to solder the screw to the screw driver? How does a screw extractor work and does it exist the one with the right size for the screws in T4x's fan assembly?

This T43 is my very first ThinkPad and I've spent 2 great years with it. It has never let me down. After having survived from drop, spill and other abuses, I can't believe it has to die this way..

[richk]

A screw extracter is a sharp tapered screw with a reverse head. I think it will not work in this case. Drilling out the head and removing the shaft with vise-grips will work. This certainly shouldn't mean the end of your machine's life. If you put back the first 2 screws, it may remove enough stress from the third so that you can get it out normally.

[ulrich.von.lich]

If you put back the first 2 screws, it may remove enough stress from the third so that you can get it out normally.

That's a brillant idea richk! It took me neearly 3 hours but I finally managed to pull it out. Now my beloved T43 is back to business again, and with a brand new fan. Yeah