frozen screw for removing lock cylinder in cargo door handle

[Robertjm]

Hi all,

Been away from a bit. Anyways, I went to a local locksmith who said they can rekey my cargo door handle. Unfortunately, the micro screw you need to remove to get to the cylinder seems to be frozen, and they won't want to risk breaking the head off.

So far, I've sprayed a generous amount of PBBlaster on the screw each day for four days now. However, it looks like the screw is still not moving, and the only thing I've managed to accomplish is perhaps munging up the screw head. It's so small, it's really hard to tell.

Does anyone have any suggestions on getting this screw unstuck?

Thanks!!

Robert
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1967 VW Double Cab Pickup
1995 Saab 900SE Turbo Convertible
1972 VW Squareback (Autobahn in the Sky)

[EverettB]

I haven't had this trouble with a handle but I recently had this problem with the screw on a wiper base. It's a little larger.

First I did what you did - I sprayed it with PB Blaster for 3-4 days, tapping with the screw driver handle from time to time.
(I think it says to do this on the can)

That didn't do anything so I took a small junk screw driver I had and filed/ground it down so it was a perfect fit in the slot.

Then I alternated trying to tighten and loosen it and it came loose.

Whenever I tried to turn it I had it in my vice so it could not move. I clamp a pair of vice grips on the screwdriver handle so I can push down with one hand with some force while turning the screwdriver via the vice grips with the other hand.
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[Robertjm]

Good ideas! I'll try it after I've had a chance to get some padding for the vice so I don't mar up the chrome on the handle.

Robert

[2Pack]

I've had a couple where someone punched an indent in the metal right next to the screw, presumably to make the screw unremovable.
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[Robertjm]

Now that's a charming thought. I'm assuming it was a pretty obvious dent?

[2Pack]

Yeah I don't know why you would do that?

The dent was small (about 1/32" in diameter) but definitely noticeable and right in the region around the screw.
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[EverettB]

[rustyfastback]

Use a propane torch. Not much heat is needed, too much may damage the handle. After the heat spray some pb blaster. I have used this method several times & it has always worked.

[Robertjm]

Unfortunately, the screw head looks pretty messed up when I held it under a photographer's Loop.

If it's to the point where it cannot be removed is it possible, though I know not very desirable, to drill out the top of the micro screw so I can get the cylinder out? Of course the next problem would be to get the screw shaft out after the cylinder has been removed from the handle.

Robert
_________________
1967 VW Double Cab Pickup
1995 Saab 900SE Turbo Convertible
1972 VW Squareback (Autobahn in the Sky)

[Robertjm]

Wouldn't that wreak havoc on the chrome?

[BarryL]

If you really want to save that handle and lock and not buy another and have that new lock re-keyed then take it to a clock repair shop. They will extract the screw. You could save your original lock by cutting away the entire cross section of the set screw down to the lock with a thin cutoff wheel.

[DubStyle]

Try some heat on the area around the screw hole.
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Anthony

SBS #1
"The original & best lowered Split Bus website/club"

[Robertjm]

Thanks DubStyle. I ended up sending if off to a VW locksmith to deal with since I was going to have it rekeyed anyways.

Later,

Robert

[DubStyle]

Let me know how much he charges you to remove the screw.
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Anthony

SBS #1
"The original & best lowered Split Bus website/club"

[Robertjm]

$35 for drilling out the screw and replacing it with a pin. And he also rekeyed the tumbler.

I used Justin, who is up in Pennsylvania. He's had good, as well as some bad, reviews here. But, I didn't have any issues. He's a professional locksmith so you have to take that into account.

Later,

Robert