Need help removing broken screw

long story short I broke a screw off trying to mount tonneau cover. The top left hole is the one, it broke about 3 threads in. I've tried drilling it out but it seems to be making it worse (using an easy out drill bit) any suggestions? The screw is needed to mount the cover latch.

 

left handed drill bit . (not a joke) even harbor freight has them .

 

You can use a regular drill bit, or rather a set of them. Start really small and drill out in about the center. As close to center as possible. Go up a drill size. Keep doing this and work your way up till the drill diameter is close in size to the minor diameter of the female threads. At that point the screw will have already come out or it will come out if you run a new thread tap back into the hole. Its like a 5 minute job. You see this kind of thing all the time in a manufacturing facility. Remember to dip the drill bit tip in oil or other type of lubricant, it will cut better and keep the tip cool.

Good luck.

 

I had a similar issue on my second gen. I was able to reach up under the fender with a pair of vise grips and twist the screw all the way out. It took awhile, but it worked.

 

You can use weld machine and keep on welding the center of the screw until you get a good amount for a vice grips to take it off

 

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can reach under the fender and if not I'll try the drill method. I just don't want to eff it up so bad it won't take a screw.

 

Pull the tail light off. Might make it accessible from the back side if you are trying that route. Otherwise, left handed drill bit as mentioned.

 

What he said. Usually just by drilling with the LH drill bits will work the screw out. When it doesn't I'll use a screw extractor of this type...

 

would go with this.............looks like the easy out in the pic is a little large for what is in the pic of the truck? maybe not, maybe just the way the pic came out.

 

I was an auto tech for years , only thing i would add to this is center punch it first to keep the drill bit from walking, be gentle and take your time. Youll really be screwed if you break a drill bit off in there!

 

Removing the tail light gave me perfect access to the back to the screw. I was able to twist it out and I think the hole is still ok. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

I can't make it out very clear int the picture, but a lot of times I'll take a dremel and cut a flat head line through the top of the screw and unsrew it enought to grab it with vice grip pliers. If you have the correct tools to drill it out that is also a very good option. (However you MUST retap the threads afterwards) BEST OF LUCK!

 

+1

Edit: Never mind. OP got it fixed.