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Arrrghh! Windshiel frame dilema.

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Bugeye_Al

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OK, some DO (notice I didn't say DPO) drilled the screw heads off the six mounting screws which go through the windshield posts into the windshield frame during disassembly because the screws would not budge.

Now it's time to deal with extracting the screws. Those small (10-32) machine screws are not budging. I have broken two Craftsman extractors off. I've used some heat, PB blaster, cussed at them and begged. No go.

I have another frame that is in worse condition that has the same broken off screw problem. So I used it as a "practice" frame to drill out and attempt to re-tap. I just made a mess of the soft aluminum frame.

Any suggestions out there?
 
A machine shop can most likely do the job. There they can clamp solidly and then accurately place a bit over the dead center of the hole. Using a carbide end mill they can cut the screw out and then re-tap. this sort of thing is pretty tuff to do with a bench vise and a hand drill (or even a drill press). I hope the broken extractors are in your practice frame....cuz they are made of some sort of unobtanium that is about 6 times harder than any substance known to man.


mark
 
I had the glass shop put my window in the frame for me and they used epoxy to set the screws in place. Not the best fix, but I figure since I don't mess with glass it is on them if I need it taken apart. :smile:
 
Yep, one of the extractors is in the good frame. And I tried to epoxy a nut in the practice frame in an over sized hole (the one I messed up trying to tap) but there's just not much frame material there to get a good bite\bond on.

A machine shop it may be, otherwise a drill and maybe epoxy the mounting screws directly in like you suggested Barry or maybe sourcing another frame.

Boy I hate it when I do stupid stuff.
 
Yeah, I had to drill mine out as well. I remember thinking it was a stupid thing to do when I realized what I had done to the threads on the other side and nothing was to be done to fix it. As far as a helicoil,,, ??????? Dunno if that will work. It is not really a hole that you are working with. More like two slivers on either side of the hole. I would say about 1/3 of a hole at most.
 
If the screws are broken from being rusted in place, the easy way to remove broken screws is to weld a nut (or piece of sheet metal) onto the end of them with a MIG welder. The heat of welding to the screw bit is enough to loosen the rust. The welded on nut is good to grab with a pliers. Or just twist the piece of sheet metal.

ONLY with screws that are broken from over tightening can be removed with extractors.
 
Think I would stay away from heat. Not quite sure what I would do though.
 
I have seen fairly reasonably priced frames on ebay! :eeek:
 
bugimike said:
I have seen fairly reasonably priced frames on ebay! :eeek:
Click to expand...

Yeah, as soon as I realized I probably needed one, they all disappeared. :wall: I'm sure more will show up.

Thanks for the ideas. I may yet try and save this frame while keeping an eye out for another.
 
I'm telling ya. Get it the way you want it and epoxy it into place. It can back apart someday, but how often do you plan on taking the windshield frame apart?
 
Barry is right!! In well over forty years of Spridget ownership, I've done it twice!!!!
 
That's the plan then. Drill, buff frame, put in glass, epoxy in new screws through posts. Oh there will be a beer or two somewhere in there too.
 
That a boy! You should always enjoy these projects. Just remember to get your metal polished the way you want it, and everything as a matter of fact, before you epoxy.
 
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