screws busting off on center caps
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screws busting off on center caps
Hello I have an 89 F150 with the original wheels and center caps. My problem is with the center cap screws. The heads of the screws poped off at a tire shop and they told me to drill out the old screws.
Well I tried that with a new bit from the hardware store but they are really solid with no luck on the drilling.
Are the steel sleeves on the wheels that the screws screw into replaceable.
If they are replaceable are they welded or pressed in.
And has anyone ever bought replacements steel sleeves for the screws to screw into?
Jim 89 F150 160,000 miles
Well I tried that with a new bit from the hardware store but they are really solid with no luck on the drilling.
Are the steel sleeves on the wheels that the screws screw into replaceable.
If they are replaceable are they welded or pressed in.
And has anyone ever bought replacements steel sleeves for the screws to screw into?
Jim 89 F150 160,000 miles
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
With no pictures in your gallery, it is hard to tell what you have. If you have the ones that go around the wheel lugs in 1/2 circles and are screwed directly into the steel rim, here is what you do.
Take the tire off and flip it over. Spray lube (WD-40 or PB Blaster) onto the back side of the three screws, let it sit for a minute or two and take the rest of the screw out with curved visegrips from the back. If there is still some head left, then wiggle it back and forth and start unscrewing it until you have enough on the front of the rim to grab unto.
If someone had taken just a few minutes and sprayed lube on the back of the screws they would still have heads on them. It is kind of a no brainer. Screw does not move on a wheel, lube before you break the head off of a 1/4 phillips screw.
My advice on the drilling if needed, start from the back side. You will be able to hit the exact center that way. Center punch the screw exactly in the middle and start with a < 1/16 bit and work up to 1/8. Once the screw is "almost" gone, you should be able to take the rest of it out with needle nose by twisting the shell away or a run a tap through it.
Take the tire off and flip it over. Spray lube (WD-40 or PB Blaster) onto the back side of the three screws, let it sit for a minute or two and take the rest of the screw out with curved visegrips from the back. If there is still some head left, then wiggle it back and forth and start unscrewing it until you have enough on the front of the rim to grab unto.
If someone had taken just a few minutes and sprayed lube on the back of the screws they would still have heads on them. It is kind of a no brainer. Screw does not move on a wheel, lube before you break the head off of a 1/4 phillips screw.
My advice on the drilling if needed, start from the back side. You will be able to hit the exact center that way. Center punch the screw exactly in the middle and start with a < 1/16 bit and work up to 1/8. Once the screw is "almost" gone, you should be able to take the rest of it out with needle nose by twisting the shell away or a run a tap through it.
Last edited by rebocardo; Feb 25, 2004 at 11:42 AM.
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