Another Door Hinge Mistake (Snapped Torx Bit)

Have you tried using a sharp chisel on the edge angled slightly in a counterclockwise direction (after you have started a groove) then tapping counterclockwise to break the screw head loose?

Wow, no. So far I'm just trying to get the broken bit out, hopefully without damaging too much of the screw. But sure, I'll can try tapping like that while I tap.
 
Wow, no. So far I'm just trying to get the broken bit out, hopefully without damaging too much of the screw. But sure, I'll can try tapping like that while I tap.

Ya it's probably just wedged (twisted) in there a little bit into the paint. Little taps counterclockwise one spoke at a time and keep going around until it falls out.
 
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Just returning to update this thread. I gave up. All my chiseling and poking and pounding only seemed to 'smush' the bit, until it was so flush with the edges and grooves that it seemed like someone had melted the bit and let it dry in place.

I decided to see what kind of headway I could make with a die-grinder bit on my rotary tool, hoping it would crumble. Unfortunately it didn't, and now the inside of the screw is properly stripped smooth. I think I'm going to have to just drill this whole screw out. For now I just covered it up with the mirror bracket and am dealing with the poor fit of the door, because it's not too bad. Will return to it someday.
 
Just returning to update this thread. I gave up. All my chiseling and poking and pounding only seemed to 'smush' the bit, until it was so flush with the edges and grooves that it seemed like someone had melted the bit and let it dry in place.

I decided to see what kind of headway I could make with a die-grinder bit on my rotary tool, hoping it would crumble. Unfortunately it didn't, and now the inside of the screw is properly stripped smooth. I think I'm going to have to just drill this whole screw out. For now I just covered it up with the mirror bracket and am dealing with the poor fit of the door, because it's not too bad. Will return to it someday.

Can you rosette weld a nut on the stubborn screw? Heat from welding usually loosens them. You would have to keep the surrounding area cool and covered as to not burn/melt paint.
 
Can you rosette weld a nut on the stubborn screw? Heat from welding usually loosens them. You would have to keep the surrounding area cool and covered as to not burn/melt paint.

I can’t weld at all! But it sounds like a good idea.
 
Have you tried using a sharp chisel on the edge angled slightly in a counterclockwise direction (after you have started a groove) then tapping counterclockwise to break the screw head loose?

That's how I got some of mine out . Hammer and Chisel.
 
Yeah 2 of these threads are live side by side right now! Hopefully one solution works for both guys. Good luck!
 
I finally returned to this. Heat did the trick, but I had to give up my fears of damaging the nearby paint. I used a small butane torch, held just ~2mm from the screw, moving in small circles around the top/face of the screw, for perhaps 45 seconds each. Even then, they only came out slowly, with a socket wrench.
 
Yeah my rusted parts Jeep didn't give up easily either. Nothing a Hi-Lift couldn't fix

IMG20250928111414.webp


-Mac
 
I finally returned to this. Heat did the trick, but I had to give up my fears of damaging the nearby paint. I used a small butane torch, held just ~2mm from the screw, moving in small circles around the top/face of the screw, for perhaps 45 seconds each. Even then, they only came out slowly, with a socket wrench.

I should have clarified: heat did the trick for the other screws. For the one shown in the original post, I had already lost any chance of using a torx bit to remove it, and so I had to drill it out. Along the way, I learned that I don't know the right way to drill out a screw—if there is one. It was a messy, confused process involving (and ruining) some cobalt bits, some step bits, and some carbide die grinder bits. In the end, I don't think I can even put a new screw in that position, so I may have to just rely on two screws instead. But at least I can finally reposition the hinge as needed.
 
I should have clarified: heat did the trick for the other screws. For the one shown in the original post, I had already lost any chance of using a torx bit to remove it, and so I had to drill it out. Along the way, I learned that I don't know the right way to drill out a screw—if there is one. It was a messy, confused process involving (and ruining) some cobalt bits, some step bits, and some carbide die grinder bits. In the end, I don't think I can even put a new screw in that position, so I may have to just rely on two screws instead. But at least I can finally reposition the hinge as needed.

You could try re-tapping the threads in that hole.
 
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Are you getting 4 for $9.99 or 4 for $9.99 each? I just ordered some plastic clips from an eBay seller, they come from Ford in 4 packs, the seller shows a 4 pack in the picture then the price of $2.70 each. So I ordered 4, thinking I would get 4 packs of 4. Nope, I got 4 pcs at 2.70 each. Although in your link there is a (4) in the description.

I've had good luck with these guys: https://jeephardware.com/
 

These turn out to be the wrong thread. Similar discussion here. Anyone know where to find replacement screws? These are for mounting the hinge pin plate to the door (not the hinge sleeve plate to the body), and for full doors, not half doors.

Are you getting 4 for $9.99 or 4 for $9.99 each? I just ordered some plastic clips from an eBay seller, they come from Ford in 4 packs, the seller shows a 4 pack in the picture then the price of $2.70 each. So I ordered 4, thinking I would get 4 packs of 4. Nope, I got 4 pcs at 2.70 each. Although in your link there is a (4) in the description.

I got 4 for $9.99. Hopefully they'll come in handy for something else some day.

I've had good luck with these guys: https://jeephardware.com/

I don't see any on their site. Wrote to them, but haven't heard back.
 
Well, Region Offroad tells me that they will provide these someday.

Meanwhile, I found these, and they are a perfect fit. Less than 50¢ each.
 
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