So I was just out about to change out my spark plugs, and stripped one of the screws for the spark plug cover. It is one of those star shaped screws. It isnt completely gone, but I probably only have one more try till it is completely done. Any suggestions?

 

Get a screw out kit from Sears? Depending on the size of it you could maybe get away with spending $5-$10 for the set of 3 I think?

 

I believe you are saying that you stripped out the drive head of a torx drive screw, correct? If that is true, then you remove the same way you do any stripped or broken bolt. You drill it. If the head of the screw is still attached, you drill it off so you can remove the part it is holding, then use an extractor set to remove the shank.

 

I did the same thing, these screws are shitty, it doesn't take much to strip them out completely. I can't believe they couldn't find a higher quality screw. The way that I got mine out was to drill it out, but be really careful, you don't want to fork up anything else in the process. I basically just drilled a hole, then tapped in a drill bit that was slightly too big for it so it would be a tight fit, and then slowly turned it out like I would any other screw. The bit was jammed though so I had to just toss that... but the total cost was about $1-$2, however much that drill bit costs whenever I go to replace it.

 

I would take a small cut off wheel and cut a slot in the torx screen and use a flat head.

 

+1...

 

How tight are those things on there?

I just changed my plugs for the first time last night and the screws came right out... no problem.

 

ok what you do is you drill out the head of the screw, because i did this same thing. drill out the head, and this releaves pressure on the threads, the if you do this carefully you can then pull that cover off and use pliers to twist it out, if when you do that and you pull the cover off and the threads or the shaft is to low to get to get a smaller drill bit that can fit on top of the shaft that is stuck and put the drill in reverse and the stuck shaft will spin out. i wouldnt use a cut off wheel or if you do, be carefull because those screws are countersunk in you could it that cover and leave a pretty nice gash.

 

they shouldnt be on there too tight , did you try and use a bigger size allen wrench ,

 

Thanks for the help guys! I think I'll be able to get it using your suggestions.

The reason it happened is because I had replaced the plugs before, and I didn't know that my toolkit had the parts I needed, so I tried to get the screw off without using the proper tool. STUPID! I know. So now I'm paying for it. Oh well..

Once again, thanks guys! If anyone else has more ideas/advice, plz post. But hopefully I'll be able to get it..

 

dont use allen wrenchs that how i striped mine out, i was to cheap to buy torx's

 

Well since I will need to replace this screw, does anyone know the dimensions of it, and is it safe to assume I could get a phillips head screw for them?

 

The tool you need is called an easy out , when you get that you drill a small pilot hole in the center if the screw, then tap the easy out in then back it out, you can get them at any auto shop and my fav. place is sears, they work great , i'm in aircraft maint. and we use them everyday!!

then take the old screw to the hardware store and the'll be able to match up the threads and size for you!!,hope this helps.

 

You are in aircraft maintenance? What do you work on? I am a jet mechanic myself.

As for the how hard are they in there question... you wouldn't believed how over torqued mine were. I wouldn't think you would tighten them all that much, but Chevy apparently thought that I was going to be driving hard enough and fast enough that I would rattle them loose, so they took every precaution to ensure that they wouldn't come out.

As for the standard screws. I can't remember what size I used, but I took slotted bolts and threw them in place. I figured they would hold just as well, but would be a lot easier to get out in the future. I can't imagine needing anything more for this particular area of the vehicle.

 

I would take one size larger star drill bit and pound it on so its sticks and slowly un screw the bolt

 

That seems logical, but if you try that, it instantly strips it. These things seriously seem like that are made out of play dought, they just crumble with the slightest bit of pressure. I basically turn a few turns and mine was completely stripped out. Realitisically the smartest plan is just to drill a small hole, insert a tap, twist out... that's how I remove screws on my jet when I get stuck screws, which is all the damn time... it's either that or a nut place...

Speaking of nut plates... I really hate the floating nut plates on that damn plastic thing in the wheel well... cheap little bastards they are!

 

Well it worked for me cause i stripped one also and all i used was a size bigger bit and well i took a hammer and pounded it in and then it came out

 

I didn't try the beat the **** out of it method... ;0 I use a much more relaxed approach to car maintenance... then again I did throw my tire when I was pissed off trying to get my intake in place.. hahaha...

 

Man... you guys must be really rough. I tried to unscrew mine the first time and noticed that the bit was a little "loose" in the screw head. I just went to the next bigger size and it fit perfectly.

 

Yeah, those things are worthless. I was reinstalling the stock filter today, and cursed them a couple times..