Hinzbilly

Hey all just got a quick question for you. My screws on my taillights are stripped on the tailgate side. I've tried every trick in the book to get these out. All types of screwdrivers, bit sizes and drills and nothing worked. Even a Grabit extractor tool with no luck. Anyone got any tips or tricks to help me get these out? I guess if I'm going to have to drill them then that's what I have to do but I'd like to avoid as much as possible. The police are to start stopping me soon with no taillight bulbs. Need help!!!

BrendenMarquis

Grinder? Is it the heads or threads

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

You can't grip it with vice grips? Cut a slot in it with a Dremel so you can use a flathead.

Hinzbilly

I haven't tried a vice grips but I don't really see that working because its such a tight space. I'll give the grinder a try tomorrow. Any other ideas?

jrh5610

I always just took a drill bit and drilled the head of the screw off. A 1/4" bit should do the trick. You drill through the center of the head and the head will pop off once you get to the shank of the screw.

tvand13

Those are always tough to get out.. I sprayed mine down with pblaster and let it soak and the heads still snapped right off.

Hinzbilly

Well I ordered a Battery-powered dremel with the grinding disks. So we'll see if I can grind the slot into it and just use a flathead to getting out because if I can't do that then I guess I'll have to drill it out. Which in really don't want to....

molsonlabatt

iTrader: (1)

To prevent the stripping out of the screw in the future, try a replacing it with a roberston screw. They are much better than phillips and a lot less likely to strip.

95F150blk4.9

grind it till you can use a flathead, works everytime. Maybe some WD to help loosen it, too.

Hinzbilly

So I got it out guys! Used a Dremel 7300 and a diamond cutting wheel. Everything worked perfect! The Dremel and the cutting wheel for next day shipping from amazon because I have Prime everything cost $40. Awesome!