Impact Screw Driver or Freeze Spray?

[Ducati]

I'm trying to remove the oil drain screw on my sail-drive.

I was thinking of buying one of those impact screw driver tools but was concerned that the force may damage the outer casing of the sail-drive ie. crack it casing.

I did hear of another option to use freeze spray. It's an aerosol spray that is supposed to chill/freeze the tight screw which will cause it to shrink thus making it easier to loosen.

Comments?

Thanks

 

[Stu Jackson]

Consider BOTH, plus PB Blaster

 

[Eric M]

I had a stuck fastener on the deck plate around the mast last weekend. Combination of taping the end of the screwdrive with a mallet and putting a wrench on the screwdriver so I could apply more torque and eventually it broke free. PB blaster is a great suggestion above too as your issue is most likely corrosion btw the screw on the housing. Having said that, I wouldn't recommend removal of this screw unless you are at a location where the hole could be drilled and tapped for a larger plug if you were to strip the treads removing the existing one.
Good Luck and let us know what worked!

 

[GorillaToast]

I always thought cold made metal expand, like ice cubes. I've always used heat to loosen bolts. Tho, I wouldn't in this case - explosive liquids and all.

 

[Lake Superior Sailor]

Impact screwdriver used correctly used works really well on these type of problems; But be sure you are turning it the right way as it can be confussing..Dale

 

[RAD]

Agree about the impact screwdriver....great tool and quick and easy, just make sure its set for the correct direction and the tip of the driver is seated firmly before hitting with a hammer

 

[Stu Jackson]

I agree. I've kept the instructions in the box with the impact screwdriver, since it's not intuitive.

 

[Marty A]

I always thought cold made metal expand, like ice cubes. I've always used heat to loosen bolts. Tho, I wouldn't in this case - explosive liquids and all.

Ice is the only material (or maybe one of the few?) that expands as it freezes. Metals definitely shrink in the cold and expand in the heat. Think expansion joints on bridges.

Heat works on fasteners because the hole expands more than the bolt does.

Marty

 

[kenn]

What does the saildrive's oil drain screw look like? How big, what kind of head?

(I haven't seen many saildrives)

Only things i can add to the other posts:
- Use the largest possible screwdriver or bit that fully engages with the screw. The screwdriver tip should be sharp and square, not rounded.
- Use vice-grips on the screwdriver or a bit in a socket set, position the tip squarely in the screw, and provide as much steady force as you can without slipping out of the hole. Obviously, not enough force to shear the screw.
- Try tightening very very slightly then unscrewing. The tightening might help to loosen the threads.

A heat-gun (used for paint-stripping) might be a safe enough alternative for heating the screw, yes?

Maybe we should also mention tips for how to prevent jammed oil-drain screws/plugs in the future. I always make sure the washer (if any) is in good condition, and there's clean oil on the threads, and I tighten firmly but not insanely; this isn't a fastener...it's a plug. Also, if you inspect oil level monthly, the screw won't have a chance to lock up.

 

[Benny17441]

I used to use an impact driver to remove the holding bolts for the aluminum casings of motorcycles and never had a problem. Do sit it firmly an work up on the strength of the blow required in a couple of increments. The problem with all those spray products is that you may end up working harder than needed as they promise but rarely deliver. Oh, make sure you use the proper size for the screwdriver bit or socket.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The problem with all those spray products is that you may end up working harder than needed as they promise but rarely deliver.

Agree about WD40 and Liquid Wrench, but PB Blaster is highly recommended and DOES work. BUT, it takes TIME and PATIENCE. It's NOT a spray it on and it works magically material. RTFM.

 

[Scott]

freeze stuff

Bought some thinking it might work okay - it's expensive and didn't work. Repeated application of PB blaster and all the suggestions by others work.

 

[bria46]

What ever you do, once you get it removed, replace it with a new bold, and then add just a dab of "anti-seeze" to the threads on the new bolt.

 

[CPseudonym]

Google cordless impact driver and if you would like to add a new and useful tool to your collection, you would be hard pressed to find a handier one. They make a remarkable amount of attachments for them. I also have never seen a Saildrive nor am I familiar with the particular item you are attempting to remove.

The advice above regarding "anti-seize" thread lubricant is great though. A little dab goes along way the next time you remove it. First thing I do after purchasing a motor vehicle is remove the lug nuts and coat them with anti-seize before my wife or kids have to try loosening rusty lug nuts on the side of the road.

Good luck.

 

[Jake N Eggs]

I don't know you're sail drive but usually the drain plug is at the bottom of the drive. If this is the case then there is probably a seal washer between the head of the screw and the housing. Compounds will not penetrate the seal washer. An impact driver should work but if you continue to have problems take a socket that is the same diameter as the outside diameter of the screw and set it on the screw. Hit the socket with a hammer and the sealing ring will be compressed slightly. It should make the screw easier to remove. Change the seal washer and the screw if it is damaged.

 

[Rich Stidger]

My experience with the screwdriver hit-it-with-a-hammer type of impact tool has been mostly unfavorable. I have found that the act of hitting causes the screwdriver to move in the slot and eventually make a mess out of the fastener without loosening it.

Applying a steady torque with penetrating oil like PB Blaster or Kroil sometimes works and sometimes snaps off the fastener, but the use of PB Blaster and an electric impact wrench has always generated the most success.

For a small fastener like your drain plug, I would recommend using PB Blaster and letting it penetrate overnight. Gentle taps with a screwdriver and hammer will help. Use several applications and take your time.

For the actual extraction of small fasteners, I have had good luck with a Ryobi 18V impact driver like the one pictured. It hammers rotational impacts and it can be controlled for speed.

For larger fasteners I have a Dewalt 1/2" drive electric impact wrench. I use this for shock absorber and chassis work. It is worth it's weight in gold!

 

[GorillaToast]

Ice is the only material (or maybe one of the few?) that expands as it freezes. Metals definitely shrink in the cold and expand in the heat. Think expansion joints on bridges.

Heat works on fasteners because the hole expands more than the bolt does.

Marty

Ahhh...

Thanks.

 

[Ross]

There are several challenges involved here Not stripping the screw slot and not twisting the head off being number One and two. The power impact wrench helps on both counts. You can apply most of your effort to keeping the driver in the slot and the wrench will apply the effort towards turning the screw. Unless you are comfortable with swinging a two pound hammer at a half dollar size target held between you thumb and index finger you probably won't be very effective with that hand tool. (the aforementioned impact driver)

 

[Benny17441]

Stripped screw heads are mostly caused by the screw driver comming out of the groove as the torsional force is stronger than the direct force on the screw. In this regard it has been my experience that the impact screw driver helps prevent stripped screws and may even allow prior damaged screws to be removed. A sharp screwdriver bit of the proper size will bite down into the more maleable metal of the screwhead before transfering the hammer blow into the rotational force which will loosen the screw. There is also something about an impact blow which helps break the lock created on a long time set screw. I love power tools but I do not think a power impact tool helps hold the screwdriver bit against the screwhead. Once removed do replace the screw with a new one.

 

[Ross]

I had a neighbor that had this same problem. I loaned him a bit brace with the proper screwdriver bit and he succeeded when the inpact driver had left him frustrated. If you can apply enough force to keep the bit fully engaged and enough force to turn the screw. You can succeed. A power impact wrench meets both requirements .