Stripped Screw - I'm Screwed!

[imran]

I have the Alu Unibody MacBook which I purchased in September 2008, I have a three year AppleCare warranty.

I was trying to replace the hard drive, and I am use I used the right screwdriver however it would not turn, there's no thread and I've tried everything.

I might take it to a jeweler and have it drilled out. What I would
like to happen is a replacement screw,

It's this part here
http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/XZFgFOwfoJ6Mm4vX.large < that's
the screw!

 

[[email protected]]

You could drill it out yourself, but you would have to be VERY careful! Depends how confident and competent you are with that type of thing.

 

[Leet Sher]

If it is stripped, then there is really nothing you CAN do except get it drilled out. I hope that this doesn't cost too much money for you.

 

[imran]

Is it worthwhile taking it to the Apple Store, I spoke to Apple Care and have a ref number, the agent was sympathetic.

 

[chscag]

You're going to pay a high price for that screw if you have the Apple tech drill it out. What I suggest is go to your local Lowes or Home Depot and buy a small screw removal set. They're not expensive. Basically what they are is a small set of special drill like taps that you place in your home electric drill - according to the size of the screw. Once you drill slightly into the stuck screw, it makes a small ridge that the removal tool can grip and remove the screw.

Or if you can borrow a Dremel tool. They're great for drilling out small screws. The only danger is letting metal bits get into your machine while drilling. Holding the unit above you and drill from underneath is the best way.

Good luck.

Regards.

 

[pigoo3]

I have the Alu Unibody MacBook which I purchased in September 2008, I have a three year AppleCare warranty.

I was trying to replace the hard drive, and I am use I used the right screwdriver however it would not turn, there's no thread and I've tried everything.

I might take it to a jeweler and have it drilled out. What I would
like to happen is a replacement screw,

It's this part here
http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/XZFgFOwfoJ6Mm4vX.large < that's
the screw!

I'm going to suggest that you were probably using too large of a screw driver...and because the screw driver was too large...it was not able to grip the small phillips head hard drive screw properly.

Whenever working on a laptop...micro/mini-screwdrivers or jewelers screw-drivers need to be used.

Something like these:

- Nick

 

[cwa107]

Craftsman makes a bit called a "Screw-out" that is specifically for stripped screws. It actually cuts into the head and does a very decent job. I just removed a small one like that using a "Screw-out" bit a week or so ago in an external hard drive case.

Aside from that, another technique is to use a Dremel with a small cutting wheel to scribe a straight line through the diameter of the screw head. You can then use a flat head driver to remove the screw.

Regardless, for those reading this thread, I would highly recommend a good quality precision screw driver set (with labeled bits or drivers) before you attempt to open any laptop. Sometimes what looks like a #000 is actually a #00. It's easy to strip screws if you don't have exactly the right size.

 

[pigoo3]

Craftsman makes a bit called a "Screw-out" that is specifically for stripped screws. It actually cuts into the head and does a very decent job. I just removed a small one like that using a "Screw-out" bit a week or so ago in an external hard drive case.

Aside from that, another technique is to use a Dremel with a small cutting wheel to scribe a straight line through the diameter of the screw head. You can then use a flat head driver to remove the screw.

My fear regarding these "screw-extractor" or "screw-out" tools is that they might be too big for the tiny screws on the inside of laptop computers.

I'm very very familiar with tools...since besides being a Macintosh fanatic...I also have been a home auto mechanic for a long long time...in fact tomorrow I have to replace the water pump & belts on my wife's BMW!

I'm not saying the "screw-out" tool won't work...but it's quite possible that the smallest "screw-out" size in that set may be at it's limit working with such a small screw.

I do like your idea of using a Dremel tool to cut a slot in the head of the screw...and trying to remove it with a slotted screwdriver. As long as a "small" slotted screw driver is used!

Might as well give it a shot...

- Nick

 

[southchatham]

Here's what you can do. If it's the same as my white macbook. The screw heads are not fully recessed. Get some small needle nosed pliers. Carefully grip the head and turn. Lots of patients, take your time. You can only turn a tiny bit at a time. It will be frustrating, but can be done because I did it will all the screws when I changed my hard drive. I did not have a #00screw driver. I needed my hard drive changed asap, so I did this. I even put them back this way.