rusty wiper screw stuck

[Live_Free_Or_Die]

I just picked up my new rear windshield blade from the dealership, and I am not having good luck getting out one of the old screws. First, I shaved the edges of the phillips screw trying to get it out, so I used a saw to make an indentation to fit in a flat head screwdriver. I unscrewed it, and only the head came off with the rest of the screw stuck tightly. I tried pliers on the bottom of the screw which was protruding out a little. Then I tried drilling it out. I made a whole all the way through with a 1/16" drill bit, hoping I'd be able to push the screw out, but with no success. I broke two of these drill bits in the process. I then tried a 5/64" bit which also broke and is now in the whole along with the the screw.

Can anybody give me any advice before I end up shaving the threads and needing more than just a new wiper blade? Thanks.

 

[Who]

First advice I would give you is slow down and take a breath. Do not hit the hatch back glass with the drill bit. Find yourself a 2x4 or better yet a 2x6 wrap it up in the towel and make yourself a nice buffer and base to work on between the wiper arm and the glass. Better yet you might want to remove the wiper arm but I think that would be a major undertaking. Having a broken drill bit inside that hole is going to be near impossible to drill out without having a vise or press. If you can find a very, very small bolt and nut you might consider making a new hole. Buy a good quality drill bit.

 

[skipbarber]

dont know if its appropriate for the thread, but we removed the rear wiper arm from our supra we'd be willing to sell for a few bucks if you want to go that route.. it's actually really easy to remove.

 

[Who]

dont know if its appropriate for the thread, but we removed the rear wiper arm from our supra we'd be willing to sell for a few bucks if you want to go that route.. it's actually really easy to remove.

If the wiper arm is easy to get off go for it and remove it. Don't take any chances with that glass.

 

[Live_Free_Or_Die]

First advice I would give you is slow down and take a breath. Do not hit the hatch back glass with the drill bit. Find yourself a 2x4 or better yet a 2x6 wrap it up in the towel and make yourself a nice buffer and base to work on between the wiper arm and the glass. Better yet you might want to remove the wiper arm but I think that would be a major undertaking. Having a broken drill bit inside that hole is going to be near impossible to drill out without having a vise or press. If you can find a very, very small bolt and nut you might consider making a new hole. Buy a good quality drill bit.

I didn't want to take the wiper arm off because my hatch doesn't hold itself up and it would require taking off interior trim, which I've already broken a couple different pieces of. At this point it seems impossible to get the screw out without killing the threads. I guess I'll be going the route of a new hole and a small bolt and nut (plus use 2x4 for the drilling).
Thank you

 

[SideWinderGX]

I'd remove it too, the time to take it off would be well worth it in the odd event you cracked the rear glass.

edit: didn't see your post above before I posted this haha. My bad.

Side note: when you wipe the rear wiper blade, and it doesn't move all the way back up to a vertical position but rather stays at an angle, do you just unscrew the nut holding it on, rotate it up, and crank the nut back down?

 

[Satan]

...Easiest thing to do is remove/replace it. I think I bought all 3 used from another member for under $20 shipped. Make sure that you get the screws/attachments with 'em. Soak that beeyatch with some PB Blast and hopefully the will come out. Th etrick I used was to us a pair of nice, new pliers to get a good grip and "snap" the screw loose. If you try slow/even pressure, the head will give and the rest will stay in (as you've already experienced).

Since you're there, I'd recommend that you replace the blades with longer aftermarket ones. Let me know if you go that route and I will get you the part number of the aftermarket piece that will bolt into the stock holes and allow a longer wiper blade.

If you're determined to kep the ones you have, you will likely have to drill out and re-tap.

All of the wiper arms are easily removed from the top. Only 1 bolt holds them on at the base. Get away from the glass...

 

[Poodles]

You don't have to remove the interior pieces at all to get the arm off...

(oddly enough I've answered this question before so I have pics!)

Looks hard to remove, doesn't it?

NOPE! Really easy!

Now take it off and work on a workbench where the arm can be held instead of working where you'll break glass and drillbits.

 

[Live_Free_Or_Die]

You don't have to remove the interior pieces at all to get the arm off...

(oddly enough I've answered this question before so I have pics!)

Looks hard to remove, doesn't it?

NOPE! Really easy!

Now take it off and work on a workbench where the arm can be held instead of working where you'll break glass and drillbits.

Thank you! I can't believe it was that easy to take off.