Fresh Air Vents

[David F.]

I am refurbishing the dash pads, heater, clock, radio, etc. I started Sept 2017 but got caught by winter weather in an unheated garage that interrupted my project. I am now stuck with removing the passenger side fresh air vent. I can't get the screws that hold the plastic grill. I have tried WD-40, hammer blow, and just plain force to break the screws free to no avail. They are Philips head screws so driver will slip with to much force.
DOES ANY ONE HAVE SUGGESTION?? Need help so I can continue my project. I am working on 63 convertible.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fresh Air Vents

I am refurbishing the dash pads, heater, clock, radio, etc. I started Sept 2017 but got caught by winter weather in an unheated garage that interrupted my project. I am now stuck with removing the passenger side fresh air vent. I can't get the screws that hold the plastic grill. I have tried WD-40, hammer blow, and just plain force to break the screws free to no avail. They are Philips head screws so driver will slip with to much force.
DOES ANY ONE HAVE SUGGESTION?? Need help so I can continue my project. I am working on 63 convertible.

Dave------


Make sure you are using the proper size phillips screwdriver. Many folks have only 1 or 2 sizes in their toolbox. Using the wrong size causes damage to the screw drive and makes ultimate removal all the more difficult.

[Michael L.]

Re: Fresh Air Vents

In addition I would recommend using a typical 3/8" drive ratchet with the correct phillips driver attachment. It can be hard to apply sufficient downward pressure and torque using a phillips screwdriver. If you use a ratchet it makes applying maximal downward force possible while still being able to turn the screw. I've used this technique on several stuck phillips style screws and it worked like a charm.

Mike

[David F.]

Re: Fresh Air Vents

I have PH-1, -2, -3 heads in both socket and screw driver, and tried with drive ratchet. All to no avail. I have even tried WD40 and Liquid wrench but can not get screw to budge. I am now thinking of a screw extractor. Any comment would be appreciated.

David

[Bob R.]

Re: Fresh Air Vents

If you can post a picture I'm sure someone will come up with a fix

[Michael L.]

Re: Fresh Air Vents

If it is so stuck that the ratchet won't get it out I doubt you will be able to get it out with an extractor. Looking more like you will have to drill it out completely and then tap it to clean up the threads. If your not sure of the thread count then order replacement screws from a vendor (which you eill need anyway) and size one of those.

[Richard G.]

Re: Fresh Air Vents

I have had excellent luck using a impact driver the typically the battery powered type.
The hammering tends to loosing things up and the gap between hammer blow seems to re-seat the philips into the screw head.
Be sure you have the correct driver and don't use the adapter that comes with so many of the bit kits.
The extra long bits are a favorite of mine.

[David F.]

Re: Fresh Air Vents

Thank you all for your suggestions. Checking the size of phillips drive, using ratchet, and battery powered impact driver the screws won't move. A friend suggested making a cut across for flat screw driver for more torque and grip but also failed. Fixing the right hand fresh air valve and cable was holding up my entire project. In desperation I decide to buy new plastic grill (plus new screws and cable) and broke off the old one and used a vice grip pliers to remove the screws.
Thanks again until my next problem. David