screws snapped off trim senders

[craze1cars]

OK...I'm back again. Not a major problem but I'm in a mild quandry.<br /><br />In the process of this wonderous bellows replacement process, I had to remove the trim senders (they need replacement anyway). The screws wouldn't budge. Soaked 'em in penetrating oil, tried a bit of heat & cold & impact screwdriver & vice-grips. In the end, the two on the right backed out ugly but completely, and the two on the left snapped off flush with the bellhousing. Watteryagoonnado?<br /><br />Am I best off trying to extract these stubs by centerpunch/drilling/screw extractor kit? These suckers are so tight, my fear is that I'll just break off a screw extractor in there. How about just drilling and tapping new holes nearby? Looks like the adjustment slot gives me plenty of acceptable room to do so. What have any of you done in this situation?<br /><br />Thanks once again. I feel better now that I have this thing disassembled, I think I'll be able to take it from here by sacrificing nothing more than all the skin on my knuckles...

 

[Don S]

Re: screws snapped off trim senders

I usually just drill and tap 2 new holes when one breaks off. That way you still have the same amount of adjustment on the senders. <br />Then use something like Mercs perfect seal on the screws to prevent them from corroding and freezing in like that again.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: screws snapped off trim senders

That's the direction I was leaning, good to hear its an acceptable practice. Thanks for the tips.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: screws snapped off trim senders

I second that, drill and tap new holes....it happens.

 

[djvan]

Re: screws snapped off trim senders

As a yearly pm, I remove these screws and re anti seize them.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[craze1cars]

Re: screws snapped off trim senders

PM....he he he. I'm a maintenance FREAK and will certainly follow all advice in that regard, however it is clear that this monster has seen NOTHING in the past 14 years with regards to maintenance. Looks like it's been sitting in a slip the entire time, too. Freshwater, thank God. So now I'm paying the price for striking one "heckuva deal!" on a used boat last fall. JUST THINK OF THE MONEY I SAVED!!!! It's all good, though. Actually I've found very few surprises, I knew I was buying a POS when I handed over the $500 bill for a 1992 18 foot boat & trailer. Most of the winter was spent handling structural and interior rot...mechanicals seem surprisingly solid but I'm sure I'll get bit again soon enough. Anywho...it'll be floating AND moving under its own power within a month here, just in time for spring. The drive was the last link in the equation, and all is moving along just fine thanks to many of the little tidbits you all are willing to share, and an occasional blood transfusion ot replace all that's seeped from my knuckles.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: screws snapped off trim senders

your on the right track. keep moving

 

[marinemech]

Re: screws snapped off trim senders

no kidding