Struck screw on Leisure Battery cradle

[Dwarfland]

My leisure battery is in a cradle under the van which you lower using a crank. The cradle is held in place by two plastic capped screws. I can’t remove one of them as the plastic cap isn’t engaging the screw thread. I can access the bottom of the screw with difficulty but can’t turn the screw with pliers. Any idea how I can get it off?

 

[berni109]

Angle grinder.
Or drill through center of plastic through metal stud and out the other side - push the thick part of the drill (the part usually held in the chuck) back into the hole and turn. Use a drill diameter that is 50% of the bolt diameter

 

[TheBig1]

remove the nylon head and you will find a hexagonal head on the bolt usually. once the plastic fails, it is beyond repair anyway

 

[hilldweller]

Lots of Plusgas for a while.

 

[Landy Andy]

Grip the smaller diameter bit of the screw knob with plumbers grips

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[Dwarfland]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I finally resorted to using a junior hacksaw to cut away at the plastic until I reached the metal thread then used mole grips to turn that. Safe to say I now need a replacement. Suggestions on what to use welcome as I’m not sure the plastic screw covers are up to the job?

 

[Landy Andy]

I would just use a bolt, either standard head, or socket head for Allen key. But you could use same type as you had just give it a good coat of copper slip when installing.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I can never understand why modern engineering thinks that plastic and metal screw / nut components are compatible.

The screw thread is probably a standard size. May take a bit of identification, but you'll probably find a standard bolt head or similar at a good DIY store.

 

[TheBig1]

just use a quality bolt and its quick enough to loosen with a ratchet and socket

 

[mitzimad]

Plastic cap is adequate if you keep the bolts greased

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[autorouter]

Try a standard bolt to make sure you have the right thread size. I'd guess M6 (6mm), but may be M 8. Then google 'handwheel bolt' or 'handwheel knob' and order the appropriate size.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Spray grease on any bits underneath likely to go rusty. It's much better than waxoyl.

 

[tonyidle]

Use stainless hex screws or Allen screws. Spray grease as suggested (motorcycle chain grease stays where it's put. Screws are most likely M6.