Athos

So today I was catching up on some little maintenance issues with my 99 coupe. One of the issues was the horn beeping at random intervals, which looked like an easy fix. I went to remove the torx screws to release the air bag and the first came off with out any problem. The second I was struggling with the torx driver would not seat into the screw no matter what I tried. I could see the head of it in a mirror, but no matter what position the driver was in it would not seat. I grabbed a magvisor and took a closer look at it in the mirror......and .....the PO had broken a driver off in the screw . my guess is turning the wrong way, and or cheap tools. in either event any bright ideas of what to do next?

I can get the screw out, but will have to sacrifice the back of the steering wheel, or the air bag. I can't drill it out because torx drivers are hardend.

Any ideas? Anyone have a graphite grey 4 spoke? I am not a fan of aftermarket steering wheels....

Cheers

A

hardtailer

My first try would be to get the broken off bit out using a dentist's pick.
Left /ccw turning drill bit if space permits use of an angle gear as 2nd method

Leeroy89

Have a graphite grey 4 spike I’ll sell you. DM me and we can figure something out

DBJoe996

Maybe some very long needle nose vice grip pliers? You might get lucky and catch it and be able to pull the broken bit out.

Weazer

Now the car's a roller, part it out and mitigate your loss.

yelcab

If it's cheap enough to break off, it's soft enough to drill out.

Athos

The bit unfortunately is broken flush with the top of the screw. I tried to use a pick to get it out but it is very tightly jammed in there. I thought of needle nose vice grips but they are most likely going to rip the back of the steering wheel. Also those screws are very very tight and require a lot of torque ..

thanks for the suggestion!

JTT

Since it would appear the PO broke it tightening (clockwise), maybe try to small pin punch to tap it in the opposite direction (counter clockwise).

De Jeeper

The head is buried into the back of the steering wheel. U r not gonna get tools in there.

u will have to disassemble the dash enough to be able to get a die grinder with a carbide bit in there and grind out the head. A right angle die grinder may fit without much issue.

U can get smaller then this 1/4" one if u search but it might fit so measure.

Athos

That is a good idea, and I think I will give that a shot, I keep forgetting that the dash is so easily removed! Hopefully, I can "carve" through the broken bit...

A

KeyWest996

You might look for extraction bit with hex shank. Couple that with one of these flex extensions. With an extraction bit it'll be turning counter clockwise and will back the screw out once it catches.

btw, I've had my dash out many times but never with the steering wheel in place....



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