ZT 550 Pivot screw, need help

[mmike1357]

I got a nice new scale for my zt 550 today direct from Rick Hinderer. I love my 550 but I am having problems getting the pivot screw to loosen up. I know it is a Torx 8, any ideas? Yes I have enough arm strength, the real problem is that it will strip if I keep it up.

[RevDevil]

Heat the pivot with a hair dryer or soldering iron and then try it.

[oregonknifenerd]

You need to heat it up to loosen the thread lock compound. A soldering iron to the clipside of the screw I've heard works. You don't want to use any flame or a lot of heat on the titanium or you will heat color it. It shouldn't take a lot of heat and you could probably get it warm enough with a hair dryer and keep the heat down enough that you don't have to worry at all about coloring the titanium. With all of the people that have done this I imagine someone will chime in with actual experience doing this on the 0550.

[Tsujigiri]

Your drivers might be off spec, which can strip the screws. Get a good set of Torx drivers that will last longer and work better; they aren't much more expensive than the crappy ones at the hardware store and they're well worth it in the long run. Wiha's have worked very well for me.

[mmike1357]

Genius! Thanks devil! Got the pivot screw out, but I 'm afraid to put it back in, it is a little beat up. May have to wait to put a new one in.

[mmike1357]

Hair dryer worked like a charm, few minutes on the torx screw and some downward pressure got it done. Called ZT/Kershaw and they are sending a new pivot screw to me. There was a lot of white crap on the screw when I did get it out.

[u812]

I just changed my scales today.Didn't have any trouble breaking the screw loose but then I have a set of Wiha bits.Makes a big difference if the bits fit right.Waiting on the blue lock tight to set up now.

[RevDevil]

Genius! Thanks devil! Got the pivot screw out, but I 'm afraid to put it back in, it is a little beat up. May have to wait to put a new one in.

glad to hear it. That is the trick actually (downward pressure and slowly turning). As noted above, make sure you have a quality torx set. It's well worth it in the long run.

[aussiek2000]

I just changed my scales today.Didn't have any trouble breaking the screw loose but then I have a set of Wiha bits.Makes a big difference if the bits fit right.Waiting on the blue lock tight to set up now.

Had the same problem on mine. Tried using Snap-on and Cornwell bits, neither worked. Ended up slotting it with a dremel and using a screwdriver. I then retapped the hole to use a t10 handle screw.