Rounded off set screw in drive shaft.

[racenut]

I have a scx10 deadbolt. Was trying to take off the drive shafts. And the set screws are in very tight. So tight that I rounded off one of them. How to get it out? And how not to round off the other one. Its the set screws at the trans.

And yes, I was useing the rite size tool.

Thanks

[ScGRaceR]

ugh. might have to have that one cut off and replace everything attached to it

thats why i WD40 Everything all the time. not the threads. just the truck to prevent those type of moments. i got lucky last night and mine unscrewed.

good luck!

[RiderZ]

Try a little bigger Allen wrench.Or try heating the little set screw to loosen the threadlock.Or get a set of screw extractors.A quality set of Allen wrenches is key to preventing future headaches.

[svt923]

You can try gluing an old allen key into the setscrew with some CA.

If that doesn't work, you could try a 2mm left hand drill bit as a screw extractor.

[SCREAMER]

Had the same problem a couple weeks ago. I had to drill the screw out.

[TacoCrawler]

I use the cheapo Bondhus ball drivers quite often...
mostly because they work at angle.

But they seem to be made of sub-par steel
and must be wearing/rounding out after some use.
They are famous for rounding out a screw head orifice.
Especially common mild steel screws.

I need to invest in a hardened steel driver me thinks.
But I haven't found a ball driver with hardened steel yet.
Straight angle hardened tips work best.
But sometimes an angle/ball driver is helpful or even necessary.

I've had to use an assortment of "L" drivers
including non metric to remove a rounded out screw/grub.
Usually I find one that works.

But if it don't the CA trick can sometimes get it done.
I use a CA accelerator for that...
because I don't have the patience to wait for the CA to cure.

You say yer using the right size...
but are they hardened steel tipped or are they ball drivers ?

Changing out to harder SS screws can also minimize rounding out.

A micro Eazy-Out (screw extractor) can get it done.

[struhall]

I use this tool, got it from eBay but doesn't have the name on the side like the one I linked. I like mine, has almost everything you need and it's easy to carry one thing instead of several.

eBay link

[kgb424]

I ruined a MIPS drive shaft coupler and the aluminum tranny case, when I had to cut the steel output shaft to get the drive shaft off, I bought a new set of steel out put shafts, a new aluminum tranny case, and a MIPS drive shaft coupler, kind of expensive repair, I used a air tool cut off wheel and even as thin as those wheels are I still screwed up the tranny case, cause there was no way I was going to drill and not screw up and make it useless, so I cut it off instead, I learned my lesson, next time I'll get a extractor and the right drill bits to drill it out nicely

[struhall]

Originally Posted by kgb424

I ruined a MIPS drive shaft coupler and the aluminum tranny case, when I had to cut the steel output shaft to get the drive shaft off, I bought a new set of steel out put shafts, a new aluminum tranny case, and a MIPS drive shaft coupler, kind of expensive repair, I used a air tool cut off wheel and even as thin as those wheels are I still screwed up the tranny case, cause there was no way I was going to drill and not screw up and make it useless, so I cut it off instead, I learned my lesson, next time I'll get a extractor and the right drill bits to drill it out nicely

I had an issue like that a while back. I used my dremel to cut a flat spot on the set screw and used a flat screwdriver to take it out. Put the set screw on the other side and I still run that same end to this day without any issues.

[kgb424]

I tried to cut a slot into the grub scrub, so I could use a bladed screwdriver but that didn't work, and there was slot in the coupler, so I just continued the cut, and when I got the new coupler I ran the new grub screw thru it and the was a little bit of burr or debris in the threads of the new coupler that I cleaned out, I wonder if that's why the old coupler would not come apart cause of a burr and the fact the drive-shafts where dirty, so who knows, I do not use Loctite on them

[rustneversleeps]

I use a soldering iron on the set screw.Just touch the set screw and make sure it's nice and hot enough to soften the thread lock before trying.but in your situation and maybe to late,but try it next time..

[racenut]

Thanks for the replys. I did try the soldering iron trip. No go. I had to drill them both out. And of corse, I messed one up. So off to ebay to buy parts!!!!

[rustneversleeps]

Oh well at least you tried.I have one here that still has a strip set screw and i gave up after breaking 2 drill bits and yes did try the soldering iron but didn't work for me either but it did work last time i try it..Now when i do use thread lock i just put just a little dab and not a piss full...
Damm those set screws are tough to drill......

[Reddog95]

I use valve grinding compound. Just fill up the hex stick the driver in wait a couple of seconds and turn. Yes it really works 99% of the time.

[kgb424]

Is the valve grinding compound tacky and where due you buy it at, I could google it, but it wouldn't be the same brand or formula that you know that works

[stinger113]

Auto parts stores carry it. Usually comes 2 small cans in one package. One fine grit and one coarse grit. Kinda feels like a sandy/gritty grease. Ask one of the parts counter guys at the store. They should be able to point you right to it. It's not expensive either.