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stuck screws removing head unit

Joined
30 July 2001
Messages
294
Location
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Hi,

I'm in the process of removing my head unit and discovered that one of the bottom screws holding the head unit has been stripped. The other one which has been partially stripped from me trying to loosen it is also stuck.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I may go about loosening these screws? Has this happened to anyone?

Any advice would be much appreciated as my car is completely gutted right now.

Thanks!
 
This has been asked before but I can't find it.

Here's my solution to stripped/stuck screws that seems to work every time. It's an old Army trick I learned while working on Blackhawks.

Wet the tip of the screwdriver and dip it into some baby powder, flour, or whatever you might have that's a fine powder. You now have a powder covered screwdriver tip that will grip the stripped screw and make it much easier to remove. I know it sounds crazy but it really works. :D
 
In initial attempt to remove the head unit I was unable to loosen the two bottom screws with a standard phil. Next I will try a light impact driver to break them....loose that is
 
impact driver

I just tried it this morning. I bought a handheld impact driver from the local pep boys and whacked away at it. Mine unfortunately did not come loose. Perhaps you will have better luck?

At this point, I'm considering buying an electric impact driver and hope for better results. I've also read elsewhere that drilling through the screw may work, but I'd rather not go that route if I can help it; seems like a lot could go wrong...
 
Re: impact driver

hyuan said:
I just tried it this morning. I bought a handheld impact driver from the local pep boys and whacked away at it. Mine unfortunately did not come loose. Perhaps you will have better luck?

At this point, I'm considering buying an electric impact driver and hope for better results. I've also read elsewhere that drilling through the screw may work, but I'd rather not go that route if I can help it; seems like a lot could go wrong...

When you drilled out the screw, did the thread get ruined?
 
Why can't i find that previous thread on this subject?
Some good advices where given there, as i have been fighting with this same little bolt as well.
( FYI i used a vice grip on the head of the bolt)
 
I used a bit with a diameter smaller than the screw shank. The screw just twisted itself on through without any damage to the threads in the hole-I think I got lucky.
 
ok follow on dumb question

So, here's my update and I still need some advice.

I wasn't prepared to drill the screws out because I didn't want to risk ruining the threads. I eventually took the car to a machine shop. The machine shop didn't want to risk drilling the screws out either and instead opted to use a TIG Welder to the screws to heat them and pull them out.

When I cam to pick up the car, they shop had tossed the screws! So now, I am having a terrible time finding replacement screws.

Does anyone know what size screw I need to acquire (the bottom two underneath the radio)? And where do I get metric screws in the US anyways?

Did you folks end up going back to Honda to get the screws?

Gosh, I never though something so simple would get so complicated!!
 
Re: ok follow on dumb question

hyuan said:


Does anyone know what size screw I need to acquire (the bottom two underneath the radio)? And where do I get metric screws in the US anyways?


Home Depot should have all sorts of metric screws. Not sure what size you need though.
 
screw size

The screw size is an M5 with a .8 pitch. I actually tried looking for metric screws in many place (including Home Depot). Most places only carry standard screws here in the US.

I even went to a local dealership. This particular dealership said they don't have any information on screw sizes for a particular make/model. When I asked if they could match it anyways, the service person said they would charge me by the hour and that their screws are in a big bin that is completely disorganized...

The service advisor did say that Orchard Supply Hardware (another local store) carried a limited selection of screws. Otherwise, my only recourse was to go to a metric screw specialist, such as a "Mr. Metric." Who knew one could have a viable business in the US selling metric screws?

Anyways, I hope the next poor soul that runs into this problem finds this thread (and its resolution) useful.
 
Hyuan - I may have them for you & I'm in the Bay area - I think these are the small brass colored machine screws, right?
I just replaced my factory radio & have these left over - I'll send you a pm with my phone #.
 
Re: screw size

hyuan said:
The screw size is an M5 with a .8 pitch. I actually tried looking for metric screws in many place (including Home Depot). Most places only carry standard screws here in the US.
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Reference/1991-1992_parts_catalog/1-i6.jpg

You could have got the actual part # & screw description from here - Item #22 - M5 x12mm, part # 93892-05012-08 (although once you get the M5 x 12mm description you should be able to get that from hardware store - I would have thought OS or HD would have these - I'm going to HD this am, will check while I'm there)

I even went to a local dealership. This particular dealership said they don't have any information on screw sizes for a particular make/model. When I asked if they could match it anyways, the service person said they would charge me by the hour and that their screws are in a big bin that is completely disorganized...
The worst part of this story is the "help" you got at the dealer - the parts department could easily have pulled up the part number for you when you described the location (just as I did!)
That is such total BS it is unbelievable.
fie.gif
 
sorry for the confusion

D'Ecosse said:
The worst part of this story is the "help" you got at the dealer - the parts department could easily have pulled up the part number for you when you described the location (just as I did!)
That is such total BS it is unbelievable.
fie.gif
[/B]

Argh. Sorry for the confusion. I think I wrote my resolution post a bit too quickly. I shouldn't post right after I wake up. :)

I actually did get the screws eventually from Orchard. I determined they were M5 screws via trial and error because my dealer couldn't give me the information you just provided.

Thanks for pointing me to the parts catalog. Wow, that would have saved me a lot of drama.

Also, I really appreciate your offer. That's really kind of you. Given how its been so blisteringly hot this week, I picked one hell of a week to take apart my console and hence drive with no AC!

I know that you're really active in the local NSX community here, I hope to catch one of the monthly lunches in the next couple of months. Hopefully, I can extend my thanks in person then.

PS - I completely agree with you. For a region of the country with so many NSX's why are nearly all Bay Area dealerships incompetent?
 
Do they weld these screws in

I know what you mean--something so simple becomes so difficult. I wanted easier access to the Brightness Controller-pulled out the padded section under the steering wheel at dash and then was confronted with the metal plate. All the screws came out easily except for the one at the bottom right close to the dash. I even tried a vice grip and it keeps slipping off before the screw is loosened.....What are people doing when they reinstall these things???? I have to find another vice grip with more of a ridge at the outset or heat the screw up somehow (but I could damage the vinyl) Wacking the the head of the phillips did not help me either....
 
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