Stripped GPU heatsink Screw

[Murderator]

So my notebook have one screw on GPU heatsink that just won't comes out. It's head is just won't grip to any screwdriver anymore. I've tried glue method, no luck.

Is it safe to make a new thread/grip for a minus screwdriver, with a metal cutting saw?
will it damage the chip?

Acer E5-573G
i5 5200u
Nvidia 940M
One heatpipe for both CPU and GPU

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

hiya

pic please

elastic band usually does the trick

 

[sneekypeet]

I would assume that trying to cut a slot inside of the laptop is a bad idea as there is no way to contain the metal shavings. It is highly likely that the shavings could short out many thinks inside of it.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

vacuum or magnet would help with that

 

[Vario]

Small vise grip if you have it partly out. Otherwise you can try cutting a slot in it very carefully and using a flat head screw driver. Mask all of the surrounding area with painters tape before cutting, after cutting blow it out with a duster afterwords to make sure any metal doesn't enter the board.

If it isn't tightly screwed in it might be possible to solder a small nut to it and turn the nut, I am not sure.

 

[AsRock]

hiya

pic please

elastic band usually does the trick

Yeah some times, or the good ol dremel if there is space, although the later you gotta cover any thing electronic.

Here's 5 more idea's if possible.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

In this instance an impact driver probably isnt the right approach.......

 

[jboydgolfer]

Is it safe to make a new thread/grip for a minus screwdriver, with a metal cutting saw?
will it damage the chip?

if you can carefully cut a slit in the head of the screw, maybe is the best anyone could answer. if i were you, id try using a pair of pliars, or something that can tightly grip & turn it. then theres the flathead screwdriver method.

 

[Jetster]

take a pic. Does it turn at all ?

The trick is not to strip it. Your best bet now is if it works just put it back together

 

[Vario]

Just don't use an impact screw driver LOL.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Ive seen it done with a small Dremmel drill, and you drill right down in the center of the stripped screw-head( about a quarter inch) and then you set a smaller screw into that hole (preferably a reversed threaded screw) and use it to back it out that way.

I ran into an issue just like this on a Dell OptiPlex small form factor. It was such a pain in the ass because the screws were torX headed (which suck BALLS) I ended up having to use a massive flat head screw driver to get it out, but first I had to break the bond with a pair of very small pliers (needle nose is not suitable in most cases in my experience) you need flat bill

I just recalled one way I was able to do it with a wicked difficult stripped screw , was using a pair of tinsnips. because they have such sharp tips. I actually snip into the head of the screw, and use that to turn it loose. it works really well, you'd be surprised. but you have to point them straight down, that way it forms a notch on either side of the screw head for the snips to grab.

if there enough of the screw head to Grasp, this method works like a charm IME.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

it often helps if you try tightening the screw then have another go at it.

 

[AsRock]

In this instance an impact driver probably isnt the right approach.......

Ahaha yes lol. there's me presuming common sense. Just thought it would give him the idea how it's done.

 

[eidairaman1]

Use a left handed drill bit

 

[Murderator]

hiya

pic please

elastic band usually does the trick

My camera is not good for taking close up. I tried rubber it don't work.

I would assume that trying to cut a slot inside of the laptop is a bad idea as there is no way to contain the metal shavings. It is highly likely that the shavings could short out many thinks inside of it.

I don't have option bcause even laptop repair center in my city won't take the job. They afraid they'll broken the chip's glass, bend the board, or cutting the circuit like they did before.

Small vise grip if you have it partly out. Otherwise you can try cutting a slot in it very carefully and using a flat head screw driver. Mask all of the surrounding area with painters tape before cutting, after cutting blow it out with a duster afterwords to make sure any metal doesn't enter the board.
If it isn't tightly screwed in it might be possible to solder a small nut to it and turn the nut, I am not sure.

How about covering with transparent plastic like for food?
and how strong soldering compare to superglue method?

Yeah some times, or the good ol dremel if there is space, although the later you gotta cover any thing electronic.

Here's 5 more idea's if possible.

I don't have the drills

 

[sneekypeet]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...words=Damaged+Screw+Remover+Set&tag=tec06d-20

I see you are from Indonesia, but there should be something similar available.

 

[Murderator]

if you can carefully cut a slit in the head of the screw, maybe is the best anyone could answer. if i were you, id try using a pair of pliars, or something that can tightly grip & turn it. then theres the flathead screwdriver method.

I tried cutting plier, general pliers, and locking pliers, not turn at all. it's very slippery. And i almost bump into the component nearby

take a pic. Does it turn at all ?
The trick is not to strip it. Your best bet now is if it works just put it back together

It doesn't turn at all, except the other direction. I put it back together, but my CPU according to Intel XTU is thermal throttling. Even it's stays below 76C both CPU GPU.

Ive seen it done with a small Dremmel drill, and you drill right down in the center of the stripped screw-head( about a quarter inch) and then you set a smaller screw into that hole (preferably a reversed threaded screw) and use it to back it out that way.

I ran into an issue just like this on a Dell OptiPlex small form factor. It was such a pain in the ass because the screws were torX headed (which suck BALLS) I ended up having to use a massive flat head screw driver to get it out, but first I had to break the bond with a pair of very small pliers (needle nose is not suitable in most cases in my experience) you need flat bill

I just recalled one way I was able to do it with a wicked difficult stripped screw , was using a pair of tinsnips. because they have such sharp tips. I actually snip into the head of the screw, and use that to turn it loose. it works really well, you'd be surprised. but you have to point them straight down, that way it forms a notch on either side of the screw head for the snips to grab.

if there enough of the screw head to Grasp, this method works like a charm IME.

The screw is very thin shiny slippery. How is your screw type?

it often helps if you try tightening the screw then have another go at it.

I did

Ahaha yes lol. there's me presuming common sense. Just thought it would give him the idea how it's done.

That's what i'm afraid. That any impact will damage the chip

Use a left handed drill bit

I don't have drills

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=lawngarden&field-keywords=Damaged+Screw+Remover+Set&tag=tec06d-20

I see you are from Indonesia, but there should be something similar available.

Will it work without drills?
what do you think of using a saw to make a flathead screw, will the vibration damage anything? or maybe ESD?

 

[sneekypeet]

Will it work without drills?
what do you think of using a saw to make a flathead screw, will the vibration damage anything? or maybe ESD?

The screw removers could work with a hand driver that accepts bits.

My same advice as above applies. The bits of shavings could still be an issue.

 

[Norton]

Is this what it looks like? If so, which screw is it?

EDIT- something like these should work on those screws:

 

[eidairaman1]

My camera is not good for taking close up. I tried rubber it don't work.

I don't have option bcause even laptop repair center in my city won't take the job. They afraid they'll broken the chip's glass, bend the board, or cutting the circuit like they did before.

How about covering with transparent plastic like for food?
and how strong soldering compare to superglue method?

I don't have the drills

Get a drill then, any 1 will do

 

[jboydgolfer]

which screw is it?

it has to be one of the following. im fairly sure it is the 3 in the mid section of the heatpipe though....all of which are the "best case" scenario type of stripped screw (since some can be flush or worse, like the top right one) those are the ones that always seem to strip on me

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

time for a ghetto solution then


look for a carbarundum cutting disc....you can get them at 1mm thickness. Using a back and fore motion by hand....NOT MACHINE cut a a groove in the screwhead.. Its well worth taking 10 or 15 mins to do it slowly and carefully. Every swipe you make will remove a tiny amount. Have a vacuum cleaner running the whole time.


you can do this if you take your time and use a back and fore rubbing motion......the discs cost pennies.

the discs are easy to break and you may find that using a broken piece will be easier to manage

 

[Murderator]

The screw removers could work with a hand driver that accepts bits.

My same advice as above applies. The bits of shavings could still be an issue.

The screw are seems fragile to me. Maybe this will work with hands. But it have the same risk with saw method right? bits of shavings?

Is this what it looks like? If so, which screw is it?

EDIT- something like these should work on those screws:

This one

I asked those pliers at local store, doesn't have one.

Get a drill then, any 1 will do

Aren't they expensive?

it has to be one of the following. im fairly sure it is the 3 in the mid section of the heatpipe though....all of which are the "best case" scenario type of stripped screw (since some can be flush or worse, like the top right one) those are the ones that always seem to strip on me

I've never had stripped screw before.So when it's bit stuck i didn't expect this, keep forcing it. If i knew such case, i'll glue them before they stripped competely, it'll help right?

 

[RCoon]

I have a set of these:

You put your drill in reverse, it bites into the screw. Specifically asked for them for christmas last year.

 

[jboydgolfer]

I asked those pliers at local store, doesn't have one.

Really ANY pliars with a flat tip can work, but if you dont think you can get it unscrewed, just take a second to decide whether NOT removing it is an option (what I mean by this ,is if you're just doing this to look at it ,or replace thermal paste for good measure.... don't ,put the other screws back in and leave it for the next owner).

Ive never known of a reliable adhesive method, so in my opinion, your better off pushing that out of your mind. I would say your best choices of the following

Do what @CAPSLOCKSTUCK said and cut a slot for removal.

Use pliars with a flat tip, or tinsnips with a sharp tip.

Or put the cover back on if its an option, & let the next owner deal with it.

You also could take it to a repair shop, but In my opinion, this is really the BEST case scenario you'll find with a stripped screw, atleast its not inset, or flush. Id go for the pliars method.

or these ,