Dang!

Joined
May 10, 2015
Messages
18
I seem to have stripped a screw on my beloved Endura! Serves me right, I guess, as I had been using a pretty cheap set of Torx bits that I got from Lowes. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
 
Take a rubber band and place it over the stripped out hole.

Push the rubber into the hole with the driver firmly and turn....

The rubber band (rubber) will fill the gaps you stripped and provide some stick/friction.

Sometimes it works, sometimes is doesn't. Always worth a try.
 
A pic of the damaged screw would help but Ive even used a well fitting flathead bit to remove stripped torx.
Also-
Take a punch/hammer and flatten the points around the stripped area.
Grab one size up if it will fit.
Heat it up to loosen any loctite.
Put the bit in and tap it lightly wi th a hammer, then turn.
Use an impact and wobble it around a bit.
Valve lapping compound, or stropping compound or something else kind of gritty (swarf might even work) applied to the socket of the torx adds a lil bit of grip- works well with the impact if the fastener isnt too stripped.
 
Take a rubber band and place it over the stripped out hole.

Push the rubber into the hole with the driver firmly and turn....

The rubber band (rubber) will fill the gaps you stripped and provide some stick/friction.

Sometimes it works, sometimes is doesn't. Always worth a try.
I've done this same trick using aluminum foil or a piece of mylar balloon.

As far as trying to remove a stripped screw, if the screw is "glued" in place with heavy duty loctite, trying to remove the screw by any means without using heat will probably result in more stripping of the screw, and more damaged bits. If it is loctite that's holding the screw tight, it's possible that heat may loosen it right up. I use a soldering iron to apply heat to screws.

And just like Wugod, I've had success by wedging a precision flat head screwdriver into stripped out screws.

And for the record, I'm not stripping out screws left and right. I'm the guy that my friends and family ask to fix screws that they have stripped. So I've had a lot of practice.;)
 
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If it's too bad, get a cheap little drill bit, sharpen it flat on two sides, punch the bit into the head and carefully back the screw out with your drill. Probably can pick up some lefty bits or screw removal set at Lowes/HD/ACE. you can try some 5 minute epoxy/super glue, dab it into the screw head and set the torx bit in place. Make sure to clean with degreaser or wash bit and screw first for a good bond. I have had a few torx screws that worked well for years after I cut a slot for flathead.
 
Get a better bit.

If it feels loose, you can file down the tip of the bit. (Flat across the end) They are usually tapered - so they get slightly bigger as you file them down.

When it feels as tight as you can get it - superglue it in place. Don't use too much glue. Just a drop. Gel glue works well.

Let it dry. I'd give it an hour or two.

Push down and turn counter clockwise.
 
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