Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

KettyKrueger

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 17, 2007
509
4
UK
Hey all,

Well, I tried changing the hard drive on my MBP, only to totally strip the screws on the hard drive bar. Took it to Apple, they are happy to repair it, they said they may have to break the hard drive bar in order to get it out, but no problem. However, my local Apple Store is closed for a refitting until 30/10/09 and they want £48 in order to do the repair.

That leaves a slightly bitter taste in my mouth considering it's such a small job. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with 'screw extractors'? They are little screw bits that bite into the screw in order to turn it. They are about £9 for a set so could save me a bit of cash. To be honest, it's not the money that's the problem, I don't want to wait another 3 weeks.

I'm not really wanting to drill into the screw or glue a hex key, so the 'screw extractor' is the only option really. Just wondered if anyone can vouch for these little extractors. If not, then I'll suck it up and Apple loose on my machine.

Cheers for any input.
 

rgarjr

macrumors 604
Apr 2, 2009
6,820
1,050
Southern California
I think it will be kind of hard to find the right size of a screw extractor. You're best bet is to just drill out the head of the screw. Just take your time and cover up.
 

KettyKrueger

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 17, 2007
509
4
UK
I think it will be kind of hard to find the right size of a screw extractor. You're best bet is to just drill out the head of the screw. Just take your time and cover up.

Well, the screw size is Philips #0, the extractor kit I've seen includes a bit for that very screw. So I don't think that would be an issue.
 

gr8tfly

macrumors 603
Oct 29, 2006
5,333
99
~119W 34N
Drilling is a bad idea, unless you can properly control the filings. Murphy's law will guarantee a filing will end up in the worst possible place. edit: this falls under the "making it worse" category.

If there's any semblance of a slot remaining, a proper size, quality hardened bit and slow, steady pressure might do the job. But, I'm going to guess it's a good imitation of a cone. An extractor might work, but there's no guarantee, especially if you're not experienced at using them.

I would guess Apple has already considered an extractor and/or a proper bit, though sometimes the slower methods have to give way to more expedient ways in a repair facility.

If you can post a picture of the screw(s), I might have some ideas. I've had to rescue a few over the years.
 

acurafan

macrumors 6502a
Sep 16, 2008
615
0
get a file - file down two sides of the screw (make sure flat sides are parallel) until you can get a plier with enough grip to turn it. then loosen the screw...

or file a center line in the screw and use a flathead screwdriver to loosen it.
 

gr8tfly

macrumors 603
Oct 29, 2006
5,333
99
~119W 34N
get a file - file down two sides of the screw (make sure flat sides are parallel) until you can get a plier with enough grip to turn it. then loosen the screw...

file = filings

Again, if they can be managed, it could work. The OP needs to cover everything but the work area, then put masking tape over the screw area. It will help trap the filings (in the adhesive and paper fibers).

Stray metal pieces, especially very small ones, inside any open electronics gives me the willies. :eek:
 

gr8tfly

macrumors 603
Oct 29, 2006
5,333
99
~119W 34N
Once you've extracted the screws using an extractor, would you be able to reinstall them with the new drive? Could you find replacement screws that fit?

No, they need to be replaced. The extractor doesn't create a "new slot". It's just a special "reverse" coarse spiral bit (like a drill, though it's manually turned just enough to bite into the hole left by the head slots).

The op might be able to talk the Apple shop into selling him a couple, but most likely the source would be eBay or iFixIt.
 

KettyKrueger

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 17, 2007
509
4
UK
I'm really not adventerous enough to try drilling or filing the screws, I'm clumsy and it's guaranteed that the metal shavings would get into the logic board! That's I opted for the screw extractor approach.

Clyde - haven't thought that far ahead! I was just going to use a make-shift screw until I sourced a better one/original.

I think I may just Apple sort this out. Finding replacement screws could be a pain, I couldn't find any on iFixit.com and replacing the screws seems like a long way away, considering the cone-shaped screws I've got to get out first!!

Cheers guys, but I think I'll let the pros handle this!
 

gr8tfly

macrumors 603
Oct 29, 2006
5,333
99
~119W 34N
I'm really not adventerous enough to try drilling or filing the screws, I'm clumsy and it's guaranteed that the metal shavings would get into the logic board! That's I opted for the screw extractor approach.

Clyde - haven't thought that far ahead! I was just going to use a make-shift screw until I sourced a better one/original.

I think I may just Apple sort this out. Finding replacement screws could be a pain, I couldn't find any on iFixit.com and replacing the screws seems like a long way away, considering the cone-shaped screws I've got to get out first!!

Cheers guys, but I think I'll let the pros handle this!

There's always the "if they break it, they fixit" angle... ;)
Good luck!
 

malolans

macrumors member
Mar 15, 2007
33
0
I once had to drill a hole in my old PC laptop to get the screw out.. but if you are not sure I would recommend taking it to apple.
 

dragon13

macrumors member
Nov 10, 2008
44
2
Chicago
The same thing just happened to me as well. What did you end up doing? The guys at the apple store said I'd have to pay for a replacement bracket ($8). They didn't tell me how they would go about fixing it though.
 

duffyanneal

macrumors 6502a
Feb 5, 2008
681
108
ATL
You know I have found that when a phillips head screw is stripped out one can use a slotted screw driver to extract the screw. Experiment with different sized slotted bits until you get one that locks into the stripped out head.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.