Stripped Roof Rack Screw Head

[ColoradoToyota]

Anyone have any ideas? Screw head is stripped, it’s halfway in. Happened when I installed the 2010-2013 TE rack on my 2016, I just caulked it up to prevent leaking. Now I need it out to install Gobi, but for the life of me cannot get it out. Have tried all the tricks and the little kit with a bit that is supposed to pull these things out. The screw has some play up and down, so I’m nervous about making a mess of the roof insert. But I cannot get it to budge. Can’t quite fit channel locks around it, only needlenose which is no help (also the bolt head is round, derp). Have tried hammering a hex bit in but the screw metal is so soft it shreds before it can bust the loctite...

Can’t get photo to load from my phone for some reason so I can try from my computer later. Was hoping this wouldn’t be so difficult, running out of time before my toddler awakens from his nap haha.

I’m out of ideas!

 

[ColoradoToyota]

Photos:

 

[dd210]

Photos:

Take a dremel and make a notch in it so you can use a flat head to twist it out.

 

[llDemonll]

Are those torx bits, and if so you'd you destroy them like that?

 

[dd210]

Are those torx bits, and if so you'd you destroy them like that?

At this point it would be to just get the screw out. Gobi will come with all new hardware.

 

[osugsxr]

Buy a screw extractor set , maybe $5

 

[ColoradoToyota]

Thanks, saved the day! Even after I dremeled a huge notch it took awhile for me to muscle that thing loose - snapped a smaller flathead so I borrowed a neighbors huge flathead and needed to use channel locks to get enough torque but eventually it worked. Thanks for the assist!

Slammed a screw from my 2016 OEM rack in there for now until gobi install, looks horrendous but at least it will come out lol

 

[ColoradoToyota]

At this point it would be to just get the screw out. Gobi will come with all new hardware.

Correct, torx but was already destroyed, just wanted it out and didn’t care how so long as the truck and ideally the rack didn’t get harmed

 

[ColoradoToyota]

Buy a screw extractor set , maybe $5

If already tried that but the screw metal was so soft and it was locked in so tight the set had no chance.

 

[dd210]

If already tried that but the screw metal was so soft and it was locked in so tight the set had no chance.

Glad it all worked out can’t wait for my gobi to get here!

 

[ColoradoToyota]

Glad it all worked out can’t wait for my gobi to get here!

Thanks again, was a huge relief to get that thing out lol. Pumped for my Gobi as well!