The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors clutch head screws ?

I am trying to get the door handle off my 59. it has the orig clutch head screws. tried the screw drived ,nothing pb blaster. no is there another tool that will work ? the clearance wont let me use vicegrips. should i drill the heads and then try to get the screws out later?

Do you have the proper clutch head drivers? I've had success with those on a cordless 1/4 inch impact driver. Try tightening them just a bit, then loosening.

If all else fails, the head self centers a drill bit, making them easy to drill the head off. Once you have the handle off, you can use a little heat and vice grips on the stub.

yes i have a set of drivers. just didnt want to strip the head. years ago i made a tool from a allenwrench but cant seem to find it . guess its drill time Thanks

Kevin is spot on with making sure you have the correct clutch head driver bit to fit the hardware.

I haven't tried his suggestion about using a "1/4" impact driver", but I have had success using a 1/4" hex drive clutch head bit like those shown in the 1st pic below with one of the 1/4" hex drive mini-ratchets in the 2nd pic. This setup has given me enough torque, plus the ability to add holding pressure down onto the bit to prevent it from riding up out of the screw head to loosening stubborn hardware.

If you want a little different ratchet setup, I have come across the clutch head driver hex bits that include a standard 1/4" square drive socket base that you can torque away on with a larger ratchet to help remove the stubborn hardware with too.

Before you break out the drill, put the driver in place and give the end of it a whack with a hammer. That helps the threads break loose.

I have a set of clutch head bits that have a 3/8 square drive adapter on them. A little too big, IMO. Like Dan said, 1/4" square drive would be better on those.

If its the one I am thinking about in the handle, DRILL it out. Retap.
I replace all clutch heads. I use some for tag mounting bolts.
Other than that ,they are useless. Those screw heads are a sore subject.

Where did you find the clutch head set? i just have a set that looks like screwdrrivers

Here are just a couple of sample sources:

clutch head bit set with 1/4" socket drive
clutch head 1/4" hex drive bit set

I have no relation to either of these sites or products, just provided as samples to some sources I found through a quick web search. You might even find some of these available from a FLAPS in your area?

I got mine through E-Bay, 3/8" drive 4 size set, has come in very handy.

I've seen them at lowes not to long ago...worth a look.

Well success ! went with drill the heads off . used a 1/8 drill in the center went in about 1/8 in and then put a vicegrip on the screwdriver. little bit of muscle and the screw came right out . both times. lucky day for me. Thanks for the support.

Thanks for coming back and letting know what you did and how it worked!

So you're saying they unthreaded? Likely the heat from drilling that hole in the center was enough to loosen the hold on the threads from the rust.

Good Job!

i think the heat helped. was supprised that the rust was only on the head surface . the rest of the screw was ok. Lucky me. Now on to how to fit the door. but thats another story. Thanks again.