Bad screw

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J

janderson41

Active Member
Posts
442
Location
Howwood Renfrewshire
Disco 2 2002 Td5
Need to replace a bulb on my offside rear light.
Some previous owner has lost one of the screws at some time and used an old slot headed screw. The slot is damaged and not deep enough to give a screwdriver a grip.
I have been scraping the slot with a screwdriver for ages to try and deepen the slot, without success.
Any ideas, help please.
Have thought about trying to drill the head but don't want to damage the light cover.
 
I believe that the rear lamp screws are recessed so anything even a Dremel won't cut a slot without damaging the plastic lens.
U could try a new screwdriver with a decent tip or file one square of a screwdriver that's been used as a chisel or a scraper.
I've had enough rusted slotted engineering screws to undo on panels in the old days to find that the thing is a good tip of the correct size on the end of your screwdriver start them turning.
 
I had already discounted a Dremel because of the recess.
Have new screwdrivers but still not enough of a slot.
Using an old screwdriver just to keep scraping what's left of the slot to eventually deepen it enough to get a grip. Not too happy about drilling because of the heat build up.
Fortunately still have one of the two bulbs working. Just have to keep at it till I get a deeper slot.
Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Will advise how I get on.
 
Jim,

Hows things, I would try and drill the head of the screw with a large drill , until just the head comes away, remove the light unit and then use mole grips to remove the rest of the screw.
 
Hello Iain,
Going very well these days.
Had the Disco nearly a year and no problems.
Been to the Hebrides for a week earlier and just back from a week in Lairg and points north.
Will possibly try with a large drill bit ,but hands not as steady as they used to be.
 
I have some left handed drill bits which are great for this kind of thing as a normal one tends to tighten the screw. You will of course need a bidirectional electric drill.....
 
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