Switch panel screw

[Rubikahn]

Getting ready to install my new switch panel and the screw holding the old one in place snapped. More accurately the head snapped off.  How does that even happen?? From what I know it’s just screwed into the ABS plastic. I’ve tried a pair of needle nose vise grips with no luck. Thought of using an easy out, but I’m pretty sure that would end badly, lol. I’m thinking of trying a heat gun to warm up the plastic, then try using the vise grip pliers again. Anyone else successfully get a broken screw out of the plastic portion of the dash? Any tips, tricks, help would be appreciated. Ty

[watchamakalit]

Remove it however necessary. Rebuild any damage with jb weld. Drill new hole. Install new screw.

[Rubikahn]

1 hour ago, watchamakalit said:

Remove it however necessary. Rebuild any damage with jb weld. Drill new hole. Install new screw.

Thanks, yeah I was considering that but figured I’d ask here in case someone knew an easy trick to get it out. I’ve actually drilled out around rusted/broken screws on the header panel and used JB Weld for fiberglass to fill it back in. Figured that portion of the dash being plastic there may have been an easier way that I wasn’t thinking of. 

[watchamakalit]

15 hours ago, Rubikahn said:

Thanks, yeah I was considering that but figured I’d ask here in case someone knew an easy trick to get it out. I’ve actually drilled out around rusted/broken screws on the header panel and used JB Weld for fiberglass to fill it back in. Figured that portion of the dash being plastic there may have been an easier way that I wasn’t thinking of. 

As far as I know thats pretty much the only option.

[m2bandit]

I just used harbor freight screw extractors on my father inlaw's Kia for the stupid philips screws they put on brake rotors. Worked like a charm.

 

Looks like you don't have much to bite into before it hits the dash but I'd say it's your best bet. Heating it would definitely help. If you can shield the area around the screw it would be best.   A soldering Iron might be better than a heat gun. Let the screw transfer the heat.

I heat gun the ABS parts I make for cosmetic reasons. A few seconds too long and the part is toast.  I think by the time the heat penetrated from the dash to the threads you'd have some bad warping.

[Rubikahn]

6 minutes ago, m2bandit said:

I just used harbor freight screw extractors on my father inlaw's Kia for the stupid philips screws they put on brake rotors. Worked like a charm.

 

Looks like you don't have much to bite into before it hits the dash but I'd say it's your best bet. Heating it would definitely help. If you can shield the area around the screw it would be best.   A soldering Iron might be better than a heat gun. Let the screw transfer the heat.

I heat gun the ABS parts I make for cosmetic reasons. A few seconds too long and the part is toast.  I think by the time the heat penetrated from the dash to the threads you'd have some bad warping.

Good idea using the soldering iron. I’ll give that a shot and report back. Ty

[OldManComanche]

What about drilling a small hole in the broken screw. You might get lucky and the bit will catch and screw the stud on through and out the back. If that doesn't work, use a slightly larger bit in the hole you just drilled and see if that will work. Or use a small easyout in the hole and unscrew the broken bolt.

Take your time

[Rubikahn]

1 hour ago, OldManComanche said:

What about drilling a small hole in the broken screw. You might get lucky and the bit will catch and screw the stud on through and out the back. If that doesn't work, use a slightly larger bit in the hole you just drilled and see if that will work. Or use a small easyout in the hole and unscrew the broken bolt.

Take your time

I did try an easy out and that didn’t work. Can’t believe this screw is that seized into a piece of plastic 🤬It’s not like it was outside in the elements. 

[m2bandit]

1 hour ago, Rubikahn said:

I did try an easy out and that didn’t work. Can’t believe this screw is that seized into a piece of plastic 🤬It’s not like it was outside in the elements. 

I wonder if the previous owner stripped it and glued it in. It definitely shouldn't have been strong enough to snap a screw.

[Rubikahn]

7 minutes ago, m2bandit said:

I wonder if the previous owner stripped it and glued it in. It definitely shouldn't have been strong enough to snap a screw.

Anything is possible. PO wired up his own temp gauge and spliced into the wiring. Can’t wait to do my cluster swap and deal with that 😡