Tail light screws snapped. extraction?

SledDog · Post by **SledDog** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:29 am

Two screws in one of my tail lights snapped off in the housing. Other than using a drill, is there another option on removing these? I sort of attempted drilling but the bit walks too much and I'm afraid of damaging the threads in the housing.

major519 · Post by **major519** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:36 am

Good luck. Buy another tailight. I have never had any luck with drilling these, Maybe if yu were able to get in and grind the screw falt, center punch it and follow with a tiny drill you may be able to progressively work up in sizes until the screw is fully removed.
The usual case is that the drill "walks" and you end up destroying the housing anyways....

Post by **wesk** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:57 am

Unless you plan on showing the jeep competitively just forget the on screw. The light assembly will work just fine without. It the empty hole in the lens is a bother just knip off the head of a screw and glue it in the hole. Use a slightly different looking screw head so you know which one to not try and turn.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 6:53 pm

I had to do this on 2 of mine. What I did was build up the broken screw with my MIG welder and when it was high enough, I was able to grab the blob with a vice grip. Being very careful and with the housing being aluminum you can do this and not have the 2 stick together. Also the heat from the weld is a big factor also.

SledDog · Post by **SledDog** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 2:34 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm going to end up doing what Wes suggests.