How to get this screw out

[Jesse J]

there is this screw in my a pillar that got shoved sideways and I can't get a screw driver on because the dash is in the way. I hve tried pliers and need ideas

 

[rylee144]

 

 

the second one is harbor freight for 3 bucks. might get it done

 

[Jesse J]

not a bad idea. it's so angled down though I don't know if thats possible

[youngfred]

...

 

 

I would try the Radiator Hose Remover tool, first

to try to straighten and to line-up the screw

by working the curved tip, in behind the screw.

 

Once the screw is lined-up straight, then,

use a small pair of needle-nosed vice grips

to unscrew and to remove.

 

 

 

 

 

youngfred

 

 

 

[Jesse J]

smart.

[elycomanche]

[Dzimm]

If you have a philips bit, use a 1/4" wrench and some tape to hold it in the wrench.

 

[jdog]

Pull the dash

[ghetdjc320]

2 hours ago, jdog said:

Pull the dash

I’ll second that 

[Jesse J]

how hard is it to pull the dash

[Dzimm]

Don't pull the dash  try the bit in a wrench first because you probably have the tools already for that.  Worst case grab the screw with vise grips real tight and pull the screw away from the dash, it'll bend the metal around the home a bit but it's fine.  You can absolutely get that out without pulling the dash.

[Jesse J]

yeah I tried vice grips. the head is touching the pillar so it's kinda hard to get a hold on.

[jdog]

[jdog]

All joking aside, either of the screw drivers should do it, or pry it up away from the dash

[Jesse J]

33 minutes ago, jdog said:

lol

[yxmj]

Vice grips

you will have it out is less time that it takes to read this reply

[ghetdjc320]

It’s like a #6 sheet metal screw for goodness sakes. Show it who’s boss 

[watchamakalit]

Yeah don't take the dash out.  The windshield is much easier to remove.

[Minuit]

I've always wondered if something like this existed, turns out they do: https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Profile-Screwdriver-5-Piece-Construction/dp/B07GNPRRVZ

 

I have a set of the two-sided ones linked above, but I bet these would be a lot thinner.

 

[AZJeff]

There is no reason to pull the dash.  The tools suggested by others WILL get that screw out.   I have all the tools that were suggested, and have used them sucessfully in similar situations many times.

 

Of all the tools suggested, the needle-nosed Vise-Grips are the ones I would recommend the OP obtain.  Aside from solving his immediate problem, he will find them an indispensable addition to his tool collection.  After I bought a pair about 15 years ago, I wondered how I had gotten this far in auto repair without them, and I have been working on cars for 50 years.

[Pete M]

15 hours ago, watchamakalit said:

Yeah don't take the dash out.  The windshield is much easier to remove.

 

 

[youngfred]

...

 

 

                                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

youngfred

 

 

[mjeff87]

^^^^I find those to be indispensable for removing emergency brake cables from the shoe bracket inside the drum too.  Push the spring back on the cable with the nose, then clamp them shut on the cable.  Pop the end of the cable off the hook and done.

 

My vote though, is for the Model O cutters mentioned above.  LOL.

[Jesse J]

I will give these a whirl this week I havent had much time and now my truck has 14 inches of snow on it. thanks all for the suggestions

[89 MJ]

I love vice grips, especially the needle nose ones. They are also great at pinching off rubber fuel line so it won't leak. I'm sure it would work with brake lines too.