Rounded screws

Zeuky · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jul 2011 Karma :

Heya guys, I know there's alot of topics already up about this sort of thing, and I did have a look through some of them about getting out rounded screws but to no avail as of yet.

Basically it's my Front Brake Fluid Resevoir is low, and all 4 screws on it are rounded off so I can't get them out. I don't really have the tools and experience to drill the basta'ds out, and the tapping-the-screwdriver technique hasn't given me any joy yet. I've soaked them in Super Maintenance Spray, and am going to try tapping them out again in a mo, but anyone got any other clever suggestions? I'm going out for a BCF meet tomorrow morning, otherwise i'd go see my dearest grandfather and have him drill them out as he's a mechanic, but there's not really enough time as he lives miles and miles away.

Any help is really appreciated guys!
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"S'cuse me mate but you left something under your car... think they call it a 'KEEP CLEAR' sign... No no, i don't need to go down that road to get to where I LIVE. Proposterous!"
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

You could always try an impact driver but be careful not to hit it too hard. I've done it in the past with success.

Drilling them out is easy enough as they are countersunk - you only need to drill off the top bit of each screw then you'll be able to lift hte cover off then unscrew the remains easily enough.

How low is the fluid? If it's not really low I'd leave it until after the meet.

J4mes · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Karma :

Got any Torx or Star bits you can tap in to the mangled heads in order to get some grip?

Or a small dremel style drill which you can cut some slots in to the heads of the screws, and then get them with a bigger flat blade screwdriver?

Zeuky · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jul 2011 Karma :

Right i think alot of this was me just being a dick, i took the reading wrong, and though i had sod all brake fluid, when really i've got lots. Though when it comes round to me changing the brake fluid (Which i'd like to do fairly soon) this stuff'll come in handy.

Yeah i do have some Torx and Star bits, just my Dad's stolen them for the time being so i'll have to pay him a visit. And I don't have a dremel style drill, but i do have a couple drills and a butt load of drill bits (Hell i didn't know i even had these!) so when it comes round to it, i'll probably just drill the f*ckers out. Cheers for the replies anyways guys. If i get stuck when i'm actually doing this, then i'll post back on this thread.

Peace! Wink

____________________
"S'cuse me mate but you left something under your car... think they call it a 'KEEP CLEAR' sign... No no, i don't need to go down that road to get to where I LIVE. Proposterous!"
https://www.CrunchySlipper.co.uk/

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

I've got a couple of spare screws in my tool box as you can virtually guarantee that any used bike you buy has had the brake reservoir screws mangled to some degree.

Just use a good fitting screw driver with lots of downward pressure when undoing them.