Stuck Screws

[slow_boat]

Bought a used lower unit. Screws in skeg/lower gearcase housing will not budge. Need to remove it because it has an oil leak around the shift rod. Have had the lower unit upside down & the screw head recesses soaking in wd-40 for 5 days--still no go. Do not want to break them off in the lower unit housing...any suggestions? Have manuals & I am (have been in the past) a pretty good fix-it guy. Do not own a TIG welder to burn them out. Should I try heating the upper portion of the lower unit where the tappings are (would like not to burn the paint if possible) or should I just have them drilled & tapped @ a machine shop, assuming I can find one to do it?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Stuck Screws

Howdy, Slow-Boat.<br /><br />You might try heating the casting with a hair dryer.<br /><br />There is a device I have seen used, I don't know the name but I will call it a hammer wrench, that is for breaking loose stuck screws. It is two pieces, with a spiral groove in the inner piece that has a pin through it. <br /><br />You place the tip screw driver type blade into the stuck screw and you rap it with a hammer. That forces the blade into the screw so it wont slip, and at the same time applies very high torque to break it loose. <br /><br />The only time I have seen one fail was when it broke the head off the screw. The guy then drilled a hole in the center of the screw and got it out with an easy-out.<br /><br />A mechanic's supply retailer would have them.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Stuck Screws

That's a type of impact wrench that JB's talking about. They work real good. You might also dump the WD-40 and use a real penetrating oil. NAPA has a good one, it's some sort of "Blaster".<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[Greg Lawrence]

Re: Stuck Screws

yeah "Nut Buster" hehehe

 

[harrison20002]

Re: Stuck Screws

Hi Slow_Boat. Hooty is right on, he is talking about P.B. Blaster. I get mine at Napa or Kragens. It is a lot better than WD-40. Like J.B. said use an Impact Driver. First spray with P.B. and tap gently with a small hammer. Spray again and let it set for at least a couple of hours. Take an Impact Driver and leave it in the right position, they have R for right and L for left. Put the "driver" into screw slot and tap gently again. When your fairly sure everything is lubed and ready to remove, put "driver" in L position and rap tool with a hammer. <br /><br />I use this method quite a bit but still have the right size easy out handy. Sometimes no matter what you do they will twist off. I try to get around this by using Never Seize on the screws and bolts when reinstalling. Sure makes it easier the next time. Happy Boating and good luck with this project. Hal

 

[slow_boat]

Re: Stuck Screws

Thanks for all the help...will hit the NAPA store tommorow for the penetrating oil. I have seen these impact screwdrivers in the past, but must admit to thinking they were infomercial material, and never bought one (unlike some of the infomercial type gadgets I HAVE bought . <br /><br />Any recommendations for a decent brand name for one of these tools?<br /><br />Once again, thanks!

 

[dmessy]

Re: Stuck Screws

If the impacter fails, another option might be to just drill the screw heads off, separate the cases, then you'll have a little stub of screw shaft left that you can clamp onto with vise grips. If that doesn't budge them , prob. have to do the drill/tap routine...

 

[Hooty]

Re: Stuck Screws

Sears (Craftsman) may have that impact driver.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[slow_boat]

Re: Stuck Screws

The PB Blaster & impact driver did the trick...3hrs of Blaster, 5-10 SOLID blows with a 22oz ball-peen hammer...viola! No twisted ooff screw heads <br /><br />Bought the impact driver from NAPA, along w/the PB Blaster...$19 total...driver came w/ 1/2" drive & 4 solid screwdriver tips...made in Tiawan...seems well enough made...worked 4 me...thanks for the good advice