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Removing a stripped screw from the optical bay
- Thread starter mrgreeneyes
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The head doesn't look stripped on that!
You could carefully cut a slot in it with a Dremmel disc and then remove it with a flat screwdriver
Barney
You could carefully cut a slot in it with a Dremmel disc and then remove it with a flat screwdriver
Barney
There isn't enough space to use a dremmel there, with out causing damage to the rest on the macbook
Have you tried a slightly larger screwdriver tip? Also, I've heard placing a napkin or paper between the screw head and driver can help.
No I haven't tried those methods.
I might give it a try though.
I also read about putting super glue in the hole of the screw then glueing the screw driver and waiting until it dries and try turning
I might give it a try though.
I also read about putting super glue in the hole of the screw then glueing the screw driver and waiting until it dries and try turning
Superglue, napkins, and a larger screwdriver are not going to work
If you try whatever else you can think of and its still stuck youll probably have to go to that slot it and remove it with a small flat blade screwdriver idea.
There is plenty of room there to go in with a small hole enlarger bit sideways or a small round burring tip without damage to anything.
A good quality, exact fit, precision screwdriver in the beginning would have prevented this situation.
If you try whatever else you can think of and its still stuck youll probably have to go to that slot it and remove it with a small flat blade screwdriver idea.
There is plenty of room there to go in with a small hole enlarger bit sideways or a small round burring tip without damage to anything.
A good quality, exact fit, precision screwdriver in the beginning would have prevented this situation.
One other idea is that there is a possibility that there might be enough left of that screw that if you got a correct precision screwdriver and applied extra downforce it could come out.
Trying to turn the screw a very small amount at a time, with extra downforce, until it breaks free can also sometimes be helpful.
Also Its sometimes possible to use the correct screwdriver, and gently tap it sharply on top while at the same time applying turning force to the screw works, but you would have to be careful in how you position the laptop and also remove the hard drive first.
I have had the pleasure of removing a couple of this particular screw for other people after they stripped it.
Trying to turn the screw a very small amount at a time, with extra downforce, until it breaks free can also sometimes be helpful.
Also Its sometimes possible to use the correct screwdriver, and gently tap it sharply on top while at the same time applying turning force to the screw works, but you would have to be careful in how you position the laptop and also remove the hard drive first.
I have had the pleasure of removing a couple of this particular screw for other people after they stripped it.
I had a similar mishap and successfully used a special damaged screw extractor bit like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Scr...-22&keywords=Screw-Out®+Damaged+Screw+Remover
Note that the above link is just for illustration and likely not the size you would need for the head of your damaged screw. I got the exact size I needed at a local hardware store and it wasn't too terribly expensive. Best of luck.
Note that the above link is just for illustration and likely not the size you would need for the head of your damaged screw. I got the exact size I needed at a local hardware store and it wasn't too terribly expensive. Best of luck.
That's impossible for the usual dremel there, I am always wary with that particular screw cos I've learnt that to my cost. I am fortunate to have a brother who has a workshop bench drill with adjustable bed, led magnifier and very fine taps.
Though looking closely at the pic again you may be able to jam a flat driver in there though. Warm that part of the case up with a hair dryer from the other side to expand the tap slightly and the screw may give a little easier.
Though looking closely at the pic again you may be able to jam a flat driver in there though. Warm that part of the case up with a hair dryer from the other side to expand the tap slightly and the screw may give a little easier.
I worked at a hardware store in High School and we used to carry special screw bits for removing stripped screws. I don't remember what they were called, but they were basically like a cross between a drill-bit and a phillips head. Basically imagine a phillips head with sharp flanged edges to bite into screw.
Don't know how small they make them though, but could be work looking into.
Don't know how small they make them though, but could be work looking into.