06-12-2026, 06:56 PM
I had a similar issue on one of the BMWs recently, Lunchbag. Not a 56 year old bike, but 11 years old. Not sure what BMW uses to make their screws, but they're all T-25 Torx, have varying shoulders depending on how many layers of plastic body parts they are supposed to secure, and are very prone to stripping. Just slightly magnetic, so they're not completely stainless. There's one screw in particular that holds on a lower body panel on the right side that's frozen on all of the bikes I've worked on. I imagine water must collect at that low point and creates just enough corrosion to make the screw not want to budge. I have learned to work around that one and pivot the body panel out of the way on that screw to access the battery and main electronics.
Anyway, before I learned to leave this one alone, I stripped, then drilled out the screw head. The shaft of the screw then came out by hand and was clean and shiny. I think maybe because I had already squirted some penetrating lubricant all over it, then the vibration from the drill massacring the upper portion of the screw must release whatever was holding it to the frame.
Anyway, before I learned to leave this one alone, I stripped, then drilled out the screw head. The shaft of the screw then came out by hand and was clean and shiny. I think maybe because I had already squirted some penetrating lubricant all over it, then the vibration from the drill massacring the upper portion of the screw must release whatever was holding it to the frame.
You know what? I actually would like a pickle.