Yesterday I had my GT up on jack stands to replace the alternator. Before I started on the alternator I wanted to pull the wheel well cover off to look at the ground for my PONTIAC tail lights. The screws are extremely corroded and some of them to the point of not being able to turn them with the philips screw driver. The ones that would turn the screw just spins but does not unscrew the screw. How do I get these screws off?? Drill the heads off and just use sheet metal screws through the liner in different spots???

Larry

Those are probably push pin fasteners. They are just plastic. The only metal screws are 7mm and on the outside edge of the wheel well. The ones on the inside are push pins, with a philips looking head. Just use something to pry the center head up and pull out the center pin, then pull the rest out. (all of this assumes you have stock hardware)

I replace those with a style that has the head sticking up a little and you can use wire cutters to grab the head.

J.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 03-23-2009).]

There are a fews plastic push types. I can handle those. But there probably 10 or so steel philips head screws holding the cover in.

vice grips? Throw out those screws and get some stainless steel ones.

you could heat up the screw a little with a small butane torch and then use pliers to pull them out (turn while pulling)... you would have to be real careful though.

J.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 03-23-2009).]

No, even if I grip them they just spin. I think the clips they screw into are rusted out or the theads on the screws have rusted. I'm thinking just drill them out and start over.

I see. I guess you can grind off the heads and then get the liner out of the way. Once you get the liner out you can do much more to remove the clips. There are only a few places you can drill new holes, so I would be careful about that.

Someone used the wrong screws and this is causing your problem. The original will rust up, but not that bad. It sounds like they use off the shelf, cheap screws and they rusted right up.

J.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 03-23-2009).]

I think you are right. Grinding the heads off would be the easiest. That'll work.
Thanks
Larry

The trick I use with rusted phillips head screws is to use the die grinder with a thin cutoff wheel & cut a slot into them. You can then (usually) remove them with a regular screwdriver.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

So many cars; so little money...

quote Originally posted by Tha Driver: The trick I use with rusted phillips head screws is to use the die grinder with a thin cutoff wheel & cut a slot into them. You can then (usually) remove them with a regular screwdriver. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" So many cars; so little money...

Paul - That's a good idea also. Thank you.

I wedge the point of a knife under the head of the screws and sort of "lever" them out while I turn the screws with a screwdriver. When the screw is sticking out a bit, the fastener itself can then be pulled out of the hole.

When it comes time for reassembly, I put a bit of oil on the corroded threads and reuse the fasteners. Works for me!