Stripped screw

[studcow00]

i was using gorilla allen wrenches, the kind cut with the ball hex end... the hex end snapped off inside the screw, then fell out... now the screw is totally stripped...

it is the pin holder set screw on the wheel hub on my ofna 9.5v i need to know how i can get the screw out... or ill have to replace the wheel hub to get my wheel adapters on.

[FastEddy]

There is a GREAT article on this in this months XRC.

[cbreaker]

The article probably has better ideas then I do but if all else failed I'd probably use a dremmel or drill to drill out the set screw, enough to get the pin out. Once you get the thing off, you can probably clean out the rest of the set screw from the hub without ruining it. Dremmel would be a lot easier then a drill.

You'd have to use a pretty small drill bit - about the size of the allen wrench you use to unscrew it. You wouldn't want to go bigger because you'd drill out the threads, too. Since the set screw kinda has a cone shaped tip, the bit should be wide enough to loosen the pin.

I'd probably try other means to loosen it first. If you heat it up, it'll be more likely to come loose. Try jamming a bigger allen wrench tip in there, or anything else that might be able to grab it.

[beason]

check with places like autozone or home depot.. they have "left hand" drill bits.. the cut only when spun in the "unscrew" direction.. so when they start biting they will unscrew the stripped screw (as long as it isnt red locktighted in..)

[aml48]

Before you try using a easyout. try using a flat head screw driver.

I am not only into RC stuff but I am a jeep mechanic as well. Trust me you run the risk of destroying the part you are trying to remove. use some gogo juice or licuid wrench and a screw driver. Then throw away the ball ended wrenches, and get normal ones.

[Thunder_Tiger_EB4_S2_Pro]

There is another method............ one that i had to use once.

It involves a block of wood, a small punch the same size as the pin and a hammer.

Rest the suspension arm on the wood so that the vehicle sits normally, set the punch on top of the pin and tap that bugger out !!! it may damage the pin, but it avoids using a drill or dremel. With the pin out, the grub screw will be loads easier to remove. Remember to tap NORTH to SOUTH (Top to bottom) as its easier and you get more accuracy than any other way.

I used this method on a thunder tiger hex adapter (1/8 scale) and it worked a treat. The only thing that i replaced was the adapters pin and the grub screw. Total cost 75 pence.

Of course, there is also the G Clamp method if all the above fails !!!

[cbreaker]

I actually used an easy-out drill bit once to get some chassis screws out (the ones that attach to the center diff assembly.) Everything else on the chassis was removed but the bottom posts of it.

nothing I could do would get the things out but with that easy-out bit they pulled out pretty easy. The trick is to apply a lot of force but turn the bit slowly. If you go this route, get a couple bits because you might bust the tip off of one of them. If you don't have a good pilot hole (I think you'll be fine since it's a set screw) you'll want to drill in a little bit with a normal drill bit to give the easy-out something to grip on to.

I like "Thunder_Tiger_EB4_S2_Pro's" idea though, about just forcing the pin out even if you damage the pin.

[cvec7]

Originally Posted by FastEddy

There is a GREAT article on this in this months XRC.

Yes there is! Hey ed, do you have a problem w/ me scanning the article, then posting it?

[Plaidfish]

he might notbut tthe mag might..caled copyright infrigemnet



F#&*Kin cheapass
hotel keyboard

[cbreaker]

Originally Posted by cvec7

Yes there is! Hey ed, do you have a problem w/ me scanning the article, then posting it?

If not scan it and post it, perhaps someone could just post a summary - a list of things to try that haven't already been mentioned?

[olds97_lss]

Considering what kind of screw and the location of it, there isn't a lot you can do. The only other alternative that the mag suggested was to jb-weld a allen into the screw and let it cure overnight. A dremel is pointless since the whole screw is beyond the surface, drilling it out will more than likely ruin the axle.

A left handed bit, easy out, board and punch idea and possibly the jb-weld ideas are all routes I would try.

[cbreaker]

Originally Posted by olds97_lss

A dremel is pointless since the whole screw is beyond the surface, drilling it out will more than likely ruin the axle.

I didn't say you should grind it off - you can attach drill bits to a dremel and it's easier to control the speed and position of a dremel then most drills.

[olds97_lss]

Sorry, I thought you meant to notch the screwhead so you could use a standard (blade) screwdriver instead of an allen.

[cbreaker]

No worries. I'd definately try the other methods before drilling it out anyways.

[OverDrive]

I had the same problem a few months back. I got an old allen wrench that was slightly to large and filed it down. I then drilled the set screw so that the original hex shape had gone and while it was hot I tapped the modded hex wrench into place. It worked a treat. I couldn't get the set screw off the wrench after.