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01-15-2021, 05:17 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,145
M.O.C. #25165
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Dometic AC shroud screws stripped
I was on the roof yesterday and decided to do our AC cleaning for the first time. All of the screws holding the plastic shroud on top were so tight that I nearly stripped every single one of them. Well only one did get stripped and now I can't get it out. Any ideas on how to get it removed? I have limited tools with me and I really don't want to drill it out since I don't have a way to replace it.
I was thinking when I get home to use a Dremel and put a straight slot in it for a regular screw driver. But in the mean time....
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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01-15-2021, 06:07 AM
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#2
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 85
M.O.C. #25489
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first thing I would try would be small vice grip pliers to see if I could lock on with a good grip. Good luck. Joe
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01-15-2021, 06:18 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,145
M.O.C. #25165
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Thanks, Joe. The screws are a rounded head and recessed into the sides of the plastic. Nothing to grab onto. I tried the rubber band trick, but these things are way too tight. I think they put them in with an impact gun! Tried several straight slot bits and just broke them off or stripped the bit. I have screw extractors at home, so I may have to wait until I can get there to get it out.
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Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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01-15-2021, 07:59 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northwest Tennessee
Posts: 450
M.O.C. #10884
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Rubber band trick??????
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2017 Montana 3611
2012 Chevy 2500
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01-15-2021, 08:34 AM
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#5
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Established Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Huntertown
Posts: 41
M.O.C. #23154
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I too had the same issue with my Dometic covers. On each of my 2 units, I had to drill out one screw. I finished my cleaning and re-assembled leaving one screw out until I got replacements. I had no issues running down the road minus one screw on each unit.
Good luck.
__________________
2019 3120RL, 320 watt solar,
MorRyde IS, disc brake upgrade
2019 Ram, 3500 SRW, Aisin
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01-15-2021, 11:38 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,708
M.O.C. #24086
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Walmart or most hardware stores
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HART-5-Pi...Case/166778245
I have a set. I think I will add it to the on-board tool box.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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01-15-2021, 01:27 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,145
M.O.C. #25165
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The rubber band trick is put a wide rubber band over the screw head the put bit in screw with hard pressure. Sometimes it will give enough bite to remove the screw.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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01-15-2021, 01:28 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,145
M.O.C. #25165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
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That's similar to the set I have at home. Wish I had them with me.
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01-15-2021, 03:57 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: neptune
Posts: 140
M.O.C. #20983
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Try using valve grinding compound.Dip screwdriver in the can of compound.I have had good luck with this method.
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01-15-2021, 04:34 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,257
M.O.C. #26190
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Try pressing down on the top of the cover above where the screw is. That should take some of the tension off as you try to unscrew it. Why they use cheap plastic screws is silly.
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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01-16-2021, 04:17 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,145
M.O.C. #25165
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The screws are actually metal and screw into a metal clip on the back side that is threaded. The casing around the AC unit is plastic. I would have thought that screwing it that tight would have cracked the plastic housing, but it didn't.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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01-24-2021, 02:35 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 665
M.O.C. #26399
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[QUOTE=RMcNeal;1210303]I was on the roof yesterday and decided to do our AC cleaning for the first time. All of the screws holding the plastic shroud on top were so tight that I nearly stripped every single one of them. Well only one did get stripped and now I can't get it out. Any ideas on how to get it removed? I have limited tools with me and I really don't want to drill it out since I don't have a way to replace it.
I was thinking when I get home to use a Dremel and put a straight slot in it for a regular screw driver. But in the mean time....[/QUO
EZ Out extractor on amazon or Home Depot.
__________________
2018 Keystone Montana 3811MS
2017 Ford F450 diesel dually
600AH Battle Born Lithium Batteries, 1,080 watts solar
3,000 watt hybrid inverter with 120A charger
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01-24-2021, 03:15 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,751
M.O.C. #7560
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Bob-- Break down and stop at Wally World and pick up a set of the extractors for $10 or even at Harbor Freight and you'll have a set in the Monte when you need them. There's ALWAYS a Wally World somewhere close. I've never had a problem with the cover screws and this last summer had to get up there and replace the cover because of weathered and cracked. No problems! Good luck and as one of the comments here said you can leave a screw out and still travel with it gone with no problems.
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01-25-2021, 04:32 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,145
M.O.C. #25165
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Thanks for all the great ideas. I've decided to wait until I get home and use the screw extractors I have there. I'll order another set to keep in the toolkit in the monty from now on. Now I just need to find where I can get a replacement screw. It's an odd size.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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01-25-2021, 07:43 AM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Boyers
Posts: 45
M.O.C. #24426
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I would go to Ace hardware or True Value something like that and get All new hex headed bolts and j clips. It wont happen again. I also Vaseline the treads before installation. Good Kuck
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01-25-2021, 06:59 PM
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#16
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New Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: DeFuniak Springs
Posts: 7
M.O.C. #24477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RMcNeal
I was on the roof yesterday and decided to do our AC cleaning for the first time. All of the screws holding the plastic shroud on top were so tight that I nearly stripped every single one of them. Well only one did get stripped and now I can't get it out. Any ideas on how to get it removed? I have limited tools with me and I really don't want to drill it out since I don't have a way to replace it.
I was thinking when I get home to use a Dremel and put a straight slot in it for a regular screw driver. But in the mean time....
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All screwdrivers are not the same. Irwin 1948770 demolition screwdriver is the best. Its available on Amazon. I'm a retired professional mechanic (repaired the rides at Disney World). Believe me this is the best screwdriver I ever owned. Everyone should have this screwdriver in their tool kit.
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01-26-2021, 08:01 PM
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#17
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Artesia
Posts: 65
M.O.C. #27061
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In a real crunch I have been able to remove stuck screws With a stripped head buy making sure I have the correct size screwdriver, putting light counterclockwise pressure on it while tapping the handle end with a hammer.
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