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    Stripped screw

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by CrossXedge, Apr 7, 2012.

  1. CrossXedge

    CrossXedge Notebook Consultant

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    Alright guys, I need some help. One of the screws is stuck on the ram cover and it got stripped. I was trying to unscrew it but for some reason it wouldn't budge. Might be caused by the expansion of heat. Any ideas on how I can get it out?
     
    CrossXedge, Apr 7, 2012
    #1
  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Try put a thick rubber band between the screw and the screwdriver.
     
    namaiki, Apr 7, 2012
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  3. CrossXedge

    CrossXedge Notebook Consultant

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    Ugh tried it. No avail.
     
    CrossXedge, Apr 7, 2012
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  4. smokeydogsmokey

    smokeydogsmokey Notebook Consultant

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    drill in reverse setting should do it though be epic careful
     
    smokeydogsmokey, Apr 7, 2012
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  5. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    You can get a screw-destripping tool if you really want to, or just drill it out. Heat Expansion has nothing to do with it, there may have been too much locktite our your screwdriver didn't have enough torque.

    Regardless, drill the head off.
     
    copper7op, Apr 7, 2012
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  6. nuaron

    nuaron Notebook Consultant

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    use a plier to pry it out gently?
     
    nuaron, Apr 7, 2012
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  7. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    I had this problem. Use Vice Grips to clamp the screw head and turn it out.
     
    Joe85, Apr 7, 2012
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  8. CrossXedge

    CrossXedge Notebook Consultant

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    I don't fully understand how to drill it out.
     
    CrossXedge, Apr 7, 2012
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  9. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    Take a drill, with a bit slightly larger than the bore of the screw.

    VERY CAREFULLY drill down into the centre of the screw. This should drill the head clean off, you only need to go down 1/16th of an inch MAX. You'll never get the screw out, but you'll be able to pull the panel off.
     
    copper7op, Apr 7, 2012
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  10. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Don't cut the head of the screw, you'll have a harder time getting out what's left of it.
    These screws have loctite on their threads and that might be the reason it's stuck. Always use a proper sized screwdriver to prevent damage to the screw heads.

    Get a pair of needlenose pliers, grab the head and turn counter clockwise.
    [​IMG]
     
    katalin_2003, Apr 7, 2012
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  11. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry, I should put a warning -

    My solution is ONLY if all else fails. You will NOT be able to pull the shank of the screw out, but you will be able to remove the memory door.
     
    copper7op, Apr 7, 2012
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  12. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Joe85, Apr 8, 2012
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  13. mgarvey

    mgarvey Notebook Guru

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    Do a search on stripped screws, there are loads of guides and 'how-to' pages giving tips. When I had the same problem on my Dell XPS 15 I tried everything and ended up having to drill it out. My tactic was to use a really small drill bit and use it to 'cut' a groove in the screw head, the intent being to create something that a flathead screwdriver could grab onto. I was lucky, the act of drilling somehow loosened the screw and the whole thing suddenly popped out, shank and all.

    If you have to drill, and there are lots of other things to try first, be very careful of the tiny little metal filings that will come out and potentially end up inside your expensive laptop.
     
    mgarvey, Apr 10, 2012
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  14. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ive read before that someone placed double sided sticky tape around the screw before drilling, which is quite a clever way of going about it.
     
    Joe85, Apr 10, 2012
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  15. Muskytaru

    Muskytaru Notebook Guru

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    There are extraction kits available out there. Specifically if you do not want to go the drilling method. I have had this happen on my G35x.

    Just sayin.
     
    Muskytaru, Apr 26, 2012
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  16. d2daanny

    d2daanny Notebook Consultant

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    I like to use red loctite or jb weld and an Allen key. After it sets, it's pretty easy to get out, if the only issue is the screw being stripped. You have to be careful with the application though.
     
    d2daanny, Apr 26, 2012
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  17. Mudig

    Mudig Notebook Consultant

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    The exact same thing happened in the exact same spot for me. I tried everything and I ended up sending it back to Dell and they extracted the screw out.
     
    Mudig, Apr 27, 2012
    #17