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Air bag torx screw removal

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Old 01-02-2015, 07:46 PM
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dalehelman
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Default Air bag torx screw removal

I decided to make the horn repair today. I found the T30 screws that secure the air bag to be extremely tight. Has anyone else found this to be the case? At this point I am inclined to not use any more force fearing damage. I have got them to turn about 1/4 turn but they just do not feel right. Any advise?
Old 01-02-2015, 08:01 PM
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quacktoduck
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i took a while getting them off. its more along the lines that the steering wheel foam/leather is tight and you need to feel around then off with a 1/4in drive ratchet.

iff all else fails you can drill the heads off then the aribag should come off and you can use some vice drips to unscrew the torx. also if you need a airbag or steering wheel i have one laying around ill sell for cheap.
Old 01-02-2015, 08:24 PM
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JimPA
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Mine were tight too. It seems unlikely that you'll damage/break the screws using a screwdriver though. If you've moved them only 1/4, either they are coming out or you're twisting the head off. I'd bet on the former.
Old 01-02-2015, 08:27 PM
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PRSWILL
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you turning it the right direction? LOL! it is backward when you are looking at the steering wheel. I did mine and it was a little tough to break loose, but it popped and was fine. Torx and almost impossible to strip if you have the right driver
Old 01-02-2015, 08:46 PM
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nine9six
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Originally Posted by PRSWILL
you turning it the right direction? LOL! it is backward when you are looking at the steering wheel. I did mine and it was a little tough to break loose, but it popped and was fine. Torx and almost impossible to strip if you have the right driver
Righty=tighty; Lefty=loosey

Use whatever force necessary to remove the fasteners. Maybe some dimwit put red Loctite on the fasteners?
Old 01-04-2015, 03:44 AM
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Mike J
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They can get really tight - I had a Torx screwdriver that I shortened the handle on so it clears the dashboard, and often use a pair of vice grips to help give that extra torque - have always managed (so far) to get the air bag off though.

Cheers,

Mike
Old 01-04-2015, 02:14 PM
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Foxman
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Several recent threads on how tough these can be to remove! I thnk RisaMax had to drill his out.

Also important to note that you may actually be trying to remove a Torx #27, not a Torx #30. As noted in this DIY from PCA, while the 996 wheels are T30, many of the 993's wheels are equipped with T27. One of the best mods for our 993's IMHO - good luck!

http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.ph...Steering_Wheel
Old 01-04-2015, 04:33 PM
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71-3.0-911
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A set of long reach torx sockets work well here. I couldn't budge mine without them. Once seated in the bolt, the ratchet makes easy work of them.
Old 01-04-2015, 05:45 PM
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911Jeff
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TORX socket and some impact worked for me...
Old 01-04-2015, 06:00 PM
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600RR
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+1 on the use of vice grips. Makes a BIG difference.
Old 01-04-2015, 06:19 PM
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coreseller
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I just went through this literally a week back. I'm embarrassed to say that I initially started to try to loosen the screws the wrong way myself. Luckily I stopped and corrected things and they broke free rather easily. I also bought a torx set from Sears to make sure I had the correct size.
Old 01-04-2015, 07:20 PM
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FlatSix911
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Originally Posted by Foxman
Several recent threads on how tough these can be to remove! I thnk RisaMax had to drill his out.
Also important to note that you may actually be trying to remove a Torx #27, not a Torx #30.
As noted in this DIY from PCA, while the 996 wheels are T30, many of the 993's wheels are equipped with T27.

One of the best mods for our 993's IMHO - good luck!http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.ph...Steering_Wheel
Nice to see that my old DIY on PcarWorkshop is still getting referenced. You should be fine with a standard Torx set.


Old 01-04-2015, 07:58 PM
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Paul M
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I just did this today as well. Struggled in vain with a torx screwdriver, vice grips, etc., just couldn't get the torque necessary to break the bolt free.

I have regular torx sockets, but they aren't long enough, so couldn't use a rachet. Nowhere locally had a 3" long T30, so I was about to buy online when I looked at the diy on Mike's site.

The tool in the photograph above was in stock at my local Home Depot for less than $10 and is absolutely perfect for the job. Broke the bolts free in seconds.

Husky Torx Folding Hex Set

Last edited by Paul M; 01-04-2015 at 10:50 PM. Reason: vanity
Old 01-04-2015, 08:57 PM
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Mike Pezely
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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
Nice to see that my old DIY on PcarWorkshop is still getting referenced. You should be fine with a standard Torx set.


+1 for Ted...Your DIY information has always been very helpful. THANKS.
Old 01-04-2015, 09:23 PM
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FlatSix911
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Originally Posted by Paul M
I just did this today as well. Struggled in vein with a torx screwdriver, vice grips, etc., just couldn't get the torque necessary to break the bolt free.
I have regular torx sockets, but they aren't long enough, so couldn't use a rachet. Nowhere locally had a 3" long T30, so I was about to buy online when I looked at the diy on Mike's site.
The tool in the photograph above was in stock at my local Home Depot for less than $10 and is absolutely perfect for the job. Broke the bolts free in seconds.
Husky Torx Folding Hex Set
Originally Posted by Mike Pezely
+1 for Ted...Your DIY information has always been very helpful. THANKS.
Glad to help the Rennlist community ... just added an exhaust DIY
http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.ph...haust_Upgrades



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