[SOLVED] What tool do I use to remove this screw?

[MoJoe1003]

This particular screw is used in many areas of our coach, most extensively on the door latch and access cover on the cargo bay doors. I may just be missing something easy, which is highly likely, but I have tried every torx bit, allen bit, etc. in my tool chest and nothing fits. Is it a special bit and, if so, would someone point me in the right direction to acquire one?

I feel a bit stupid even asking, but I also have similar screws on my cargo trailer and had to have a small repair done on the rear door. The shop called and said they could not get the screws removed due to this same issue.

[Bill Davis]

Originally Posted by MoJoe1003

This particular screw is used in many areas of our coach, most extensively on the door latch and access cover on the cargo bay doors. I may just be missing something easy, which is highly likely, but I have tried every torx bit, allen bit, etc. in my tool chest and nothing fits. Is it a special bit and, if so, would someone point me in the right direction to acquire one?

I feel a bit stupid even asking, but I also have similar screws on my cargo trailer and had to have a small repair done on the rear door. The shop called and said they could not get the screws removed due to this same issue.
Attachment 245809

That’s a pop rivet. You have to drill those out and re-rivet or replace with a screw. I have a rivet gun and an assortment of rivets I use. That looks like a 3/16 rivet. Use a 3/16 drill bit to drill it out.

[5picker]

That's not a pop-rivet... it is a TORX head screw.
It could be a HeadLok brand that have finer splines.

Here are some examples...




There are bits in various sizes that will fit them just in the same fashion as a Phillips head screw.

If you had a shop that couldn't remove them you need to find a different shop!

Here is what a TORX bit looks like...


Some TORX head screws are anti-tamper (can't tell if yours are from the photo) and have a raised tit inside the head. You'll need a TORX bit with the appropriate hollow center for those.

[MoJoe1003]

I figured it out. It is not a pop rivet or a Torx screw, it’s an 8 spline #2 screw that requires a special bit. Not sure the advantage of using these vs. a normal, more readily available Torx screw, but they are there and I must remove some to gain access to the remote lock module. So, Amazon to the rescue once again.

VEGA Double Square #2 Bits. Professional Grade 1/4" Hex Shank #2 Double Square 2" Power Bits. 150DS02A-3 (Pack of 3)

[Bill Davis]

Oops. After a closer look it’s not a rivet. Sorry. I can’t tell for sure from the picture if it’s a torx or a square head. That looked like a latch cover on a bay door and mine are riveted. Sorry about the confusion.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Bill Davis

Oops. After a closer look it’s not a rivet. Sorry. I can’t tell for sure from the picture if it’s a torx or a square head. That looked like a latch cover on a bay door and mine are riveted. Sorry about the confusion.

See the post just before yours.

[tomkatb]

Cannot judge size well with the picture.

Square bit screwdrivers if the right size will work. Got to be careful. The special 8 point bit would be better.

[BehindBars]

Torx bits have six points. The screw in the photo requires a bit with 8 points. I don’t know for sure, but the HeadLok bit shown in post #3 could be the right tool.

If you cannot locate the correct 8 point point bit, I have found I can manage to remove and install these screws successfully with a square bit. The 4 points of the square bit, if it’s the right size, can line up and grab every other point of the 8 point screw.

(Looks like I was typing about the square bit at the same time as tomkatb)

[Bill Davis]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

See the post just before yours.

I saw that post, I just wanted to apologize for posting misinformation.

[NJKris]

Why in the hell do some mfr's insist on using uncommon fasteners???? This is the kind of thing that takes any fun (not that it's fun to begin with)out of a job, being flummoxed by not having a special tool to remove a fastener. Good grief.

[Bill Davis]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Why in the hell do some mfr's insist on using uncommon fasteners???? This is the kind of thing that takes any fun (not that it's fun to begin with)out of a job, being flummoxed by not having a special tool to remove a fastener. Good grief.

I think they are in cahoots with the tool manufactures.

[Scritch]

Its actually a double square drive. A Torx bit will work, but you take a chance of stripping it out. The double square drive is a very common screw head used in the trailer, specifically utility trailer, industry. You can use a square drive and it will work very well. They do make a double square drive bit, but very hard to find. In all the trailer work I have done, I have just used a square drive on it.

[Bill Davis]

Originally Posted by Scritch

Its actually a double square drive. A Torx bit will work, but you take a chance of stripping it out. The double square drive is a very common screw head used in the trailer, specifically utility trailer, industry. You can use a square drive and it will work very well. They do make a double square drive bit, but very hard to find. In all the trailer work I have done, I have just used a square drive on it.

X2

[REL]

Square bit.

[Avenger61]

I agree with 5Picker, you still should find another shop. As mentioned, these are fairly common fasteners in the camper industry.

[Rick the Rocket]

It looks like an 8 point, you use a square bit to engage 4 of the eight. Don't feel dumb, I called my dealer the first time thinking I needed an 8 point bit.

[Tom Norman]

Amazon has listings for square bits, and double square bits.

[dave961]

When FR put together my trailer, they used square bit screws on almost everything. When I find something other than the square bit or phillips, I don't put that screw back in.

[Tom Norman]

Same here!

[BehindBars]

It amazes me that a shop would call and say they can’t remove a screw.

Per the post #17 above, here is an Amazon listing:

https://www.amazon.com/VEGA-Double-S...0390002&sr=8-4