Broken Rocker Panel screw - 74' Convertible

[Robert S.]

I broke one of the 10-24 rocker panel screws when trying to remove the rocker panel. This is one of the screws that does not have a nut on the rear side. I no longer need to remove the rocker panel so to repair I assume I will need to drill out the remains of the broken screw and retap.
I am hoping someone can describe or post a picture of what lies behind the rocker panel into which the screw is screwed into.
Note: I could attempt to remove the rocker panel to see what lies behind but I am quite sure that this will just lead to having more snapped 10-24 screws to repair.

[Edward J.]

Re: Broken Rocker Panel screw - 74' Convertible

Bob, is it possible that whats left of the screw on the backside can be accessed maybe with a pair of vise grips? sometimes there is enough room between frame and birdcage.

[Dick W.]

Re: Broken Rocker Panel screw - 74' Convertible

Plenty of penetrating oil over a period of a couple of days. WD-40 is a waste of time. Kroil, etc is the way to go. Maybe even the freeze stuff.

[Raymond W.]

Re: Broken Rocker Panel screw - 74' Convertible

If you have enough room, you could try using a Spiral Screw Extractor bit. Not sure of the screw size you're looking to remove and I'm not sure of the smallest size these extractor bits come in. The smallest one in my set fits into a drilled hole size of 7/64" and will remove a 1/8-1/4" screw/bolt. The next size up fits into a drilled hole size of 9/64" and will remove a 1/4-5/16" screw/bolt.

[Graeme B.]

Re: Broken Rocker Panel screw - 74' Convertible

Once the srew is out ,or the head is off, can't the nut insert be punched out? IIRC which is happening less often these days.

[Scott M.]

Re: Broken Rocker Panel screw - 74' Convertible

I just used a cut off wheel and cut them off from the backside of the rocker panel on my kid's 76 and then epoxied on new ones.