All I wanted to do was to replace the light bulbs in my back license plate light and all four of them are completely rusted and a screwdriver is useless to turn them out. I beagn to drill them out but even that was difficult as my drill bit I was using was not working very well and I gave up. Must be made of very hard steel them damn screws. One light bulb is out and the other is very dim. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm using lots of Kroil on my Jeep...supposed to be best penetration oil... and if you could apply heat to the bolts from a propane torch, with a backing plate to protect the truck. Both are pretty standard for these old rusty Jeeps.

Sameeeee exact problem I ran into. Ended up having to drill them out and fit new screws in there. PITA but seems that is the only option...

There was this same thread a couple of months ago or maybe it was the 3rd gens. Get an assortment pack of stainless steel screws and use those to replace various body screws as they rust.

Before (Kroil or Liquid Wrench to remove)



Screws from Boating Section of Walmart



After

I posted this in a similar thread (link below). Hope this helps:

I had the same issue recently for both bulbs. After several rounds of penetrating oil over several days, 3 of the 4 came out with a screwdriver, and the heads were in way worse shape than yours. For the 4th one which was a lost cause, i drilled out the head slowly. There is enough space between the light fixture and the car leaving enough threads on the remaining screw so that you can drill the head out, pop out the lamp, and take it out the rest of the way with small vice grips. I do not think an extractor will work in this scenario based on the size of the screw and the angle you would need to overcome with a drill. Retapping should not be required. Just take your time and be patient. Also, i don't recall the size, but i took the barely intact screws to the hardware store and replaced all with stainless steel.

Rusted screws license lights help

Had the same problem. Had to get a good drill bit, drill them out then used a cheap harbor freight tap set to re-thread the hole.

Had the same issue on my 03, hoping my 08 isn't as bad, but given the way my license plate screws are rusted already, I'm not optimistic

Didn't see it mentioned but it's a good idea to add a bit of anti seize to the new screws/bolts. Cheap security.

Use a dremel with a cutoff wheel, and cut a slot into the screw head. After soaking in oil, a flat blade ought to be able to turn it right out. Worked for me.

looks like I was on the right track. I dont have a dremel tool. I am going to hardware store and buy the best drill bit they recommend, hit them up again with more liquid wrench, and start the process again. What a PITA. Stainless screws afterwards are a given! I do have LED bulbs going in as well.

This worked great for me. Thanks!

Most welcome. Wish I could take credit for that little trick, but someone else pointed that one out long ago...

Just tackled this job today.
10 year old LED bulbs have been flickering for a few months.
Found 4 completely rusted out, disintegrating screws.
I took the whole bezel off to make the job easier.
Sprayed seafoam deep creep all over both ends. Gave it an hour to soak.
Tried the dremel cut method first, didn't work as there wasn't enough solid material left in the screw heads to use flathead on it. Just kept turning.
Eventually 3 came out with an extractor, the other had to drill the head off and twisted it out with pliers from the other side.
New stainless screws are in now.

Just a word of caution , if you take off the bezel don't close the tailgate like I did. Brain farted and then I realized the switch is in the bezel. Had to go through the trunk to release the gate put a piece of wood over the latch so it doesn't lock.
Good times

Attached Images