Torx screw stripped and on pretty tight, help please

[403SKYLINEGTT]

As part of my project on my car, I am swapping the R34 GTT steering wheel airbag with the S15 Airbag, I know that I could just swap the steering wheel, the thing is mine is auto and the steering wheel has the shift buttons.

Anyway, I tried unscrewing the torx screw that's holding the airbag in the frame, but its on there pretty tight and I ended stripping the screw, instruction link below. Anyone has idea or advise they can share?

Here is the link on the instruction

http://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/369146-skyline-r34-remove-replace-steering-wheel-airbag-resetting-airbag-alarm/

I am thinking of using a screw extractor, but I got to loosen up that screw first. Tho I am sure of this idea

[R32_Shawno]

Drill a small hole in the center of the Torx screw, maybe a #40 bit. Make sure to drill as straight as possible so you don't go through the side of the screw. Once you drill the hole deep enough that the Extractor doesn't bottom out, lightly tap the extractor into the hole with a hammer. Turn the extractor counter-clockwise and it should come out. If the extractor wont grip it strong enough then remove the extractor and drill a little deeper and try again. After that if you still cant get it out, use a punch that is the same size as the hole, snap the head off, extract the rest of the screw once its all apart.

Cheers

[caliber676]

I would try the center punch method. Notch divot offside of the head and with the center punch tilted in the right direction to loosen it, tap it out with a hammer. Usually works for me unless the head is mangled.

[403SKYLINEGTT]

Sorry I forgot that its a tampered torx screw

[ck_chino]

Been there done that. If drilling and extracting don't work. Get a torx bit a little bit over size and hammer it in. Worked like a charm for me. Extracting wasn't as effective for me as those screws are hardened and while drilling it makes them heat up and harden more. I would remove wheel and hub off of steering shaft prior hammering. The bits I used were of the 1/4" type that you can fit into a drill or a screwdriver that takes bits. Hope this help

[403SKYLINEGTT]

Hammering would be the last resort, as I do not want to damage the airbag so I can still use it. I am going to try drilling the screw off and just cut off the head with a dremel. I did try to make a slit to fit a flat head screw drive, hmm well I screw up on that one, so drilling down that screw and cutting the off is the next thing Ill try.

[NismoS-tune]

How did you strip a torx head... Extractor will work. Thankfully you're just replacing your steering wheel and not working on serious stuff :P

[403SKYLINEGTT]

How did you strip a torx head... Extractor will work. Thankfully you're just replacing your steering wheel and not working on serious stuff :P

I am swapping the airbag with the S15 airbag, and its also the tamper torx screw. I tried using the extractor, but the little dot in the middle its getting in way, but right now the screw its so messed up that I have to choice that I have to drill through the screw and maybe dremel out the head. The bolt in there are screwed in really tight and youre in awkward spot trying to unscrew the bolt and the steering wheel moves so does the airbag, thats why its pretty to stripped the bolt

[jimbojones]

Sooo;was this a security Torx or a security Hex that you stripped? They make both and they don't mingle well...

[403SKYLINEGTT]

Sooo;was this a security Torx or a security Hex that you stripped? They make both and they don't mingle well...

reason that its so hard to unscrew and you ending up stripping them is because they wrap the thread with tamper seal, which get the screw really tight. Best way is drill out the head at this point

[germ]

I always use left hand drill bits while drilling out screws helps lossen or at least doesn't make it tighter. Napa has carbide ones for a good price.