Remove 2 screws left by a broken window lock

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alisam

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#312849 23-May-2024 12:05

What is the best way to remove (and then replace with new) the screws from an aluminium window frame.

My first thought would be to drill them out. I am not a natural DIY person and there may be something else from Mitre10 or Bunnings.

One photo shows the two screws which I cannot remove. There is a hole, but that was not revealed until the window lock had broken off.

The window lock breaking off has been like this for a number of years now.

Naturally tried a screwdriver but I cannot budge the screws.

The window opens horizontally.

The other photo shows the weathering over the past 33 years which has corroded the window lock (as they are often open throughout the year).

I think I have a spare (brand new) window lock somewhere (not the screws), otherwise I will have to buy another.

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#3233758 23-May-2024 12:16

vice grips/locking pliers. pull and unscrew.

pih

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#3233759 23-May-2024 12:19

Because the screws are protruding, try with pliers or ideally vice grips first. Be careful though, the screw heads may snap off, then you'll have a harder problem to deal with. Report back when you've tried that, and we can go from there.

dolsen

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#3233765 23-May-2024 12:43

pih: Because the screws are protruding, try with pliers or ideally vice grips first. Be careful though, the screw heads may snap off, then you'll have a harder problem to deal with. Report back when you've tried that, and we can go from there.

Agreed. Would also suggest to put some penetrating oil in there first and leave it to work to reduce the chance of them snapping off.

eracode

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#3233770 23-May-2024 12:59

Clamp the vice grips to the screw head with the grips parallel with the frame - not with the grips pointing out perpendicular to the frame (if you know what I mean). i.e. use the side of the grips’ jaws - not the tip.

You will get a better grip on the screw plus more leverage and more control when you try to turn. As mentioned above, if you get the sense that the screw-head is going to snap off - stop and rethink.

Re second photo: Can’t see indentation on screw head so looks like drilling out is the only option.

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tweake

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#3233771 23-May-2024 13:00

if its that rusted its going to snap the head off, odds are the threads have rusted off already. otherwise the aluminum will give out before the steel will. its only going to break off if you wiggle it side to side. just pull it straight back and unscrew, it will be fine. tho a bit of penetrating oil is not a bad idea.

johno1234

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#3233772 23-May-2024 13:03

Electrolysis corrosion from iron to aluminium. I expect it will turn as the Al will be weakened more than the steel.

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alisam

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#3233774 23-May-2024 13:07

dolsen:

pih: Because the screws are protruding, try with pliers or ideally vice grips first. Be careful though, the screw heads may snap off, then you'll have a harder problem to deal with. Report back when you've tried that, and we can go from there.

Agreed. Would also suggest to put some penetrating oil in there first and leave it to work to reduce the chance of them snapping off.

Penetrating oil - Which is better for this situation? WD40 or CRC 5.56?

alisam

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#3233775 23-May-2024 13:10

eracode:

Clamp the vice grips to the screw head with the grips parallel with the frame - not with the grips pointing out perpendicular to the frame (if you know what I mean). i.e. use the side of the grips’ jaws - not the tip.

You will get a better grip on the screw plus more leverage and more control when you try to turn. As mentioned above, if you get the sense that the screw-head is going to snap off - stop and rethink.

Re second photo: Can’t see indentation of screw head so looks like drilling out is the only option.

The second photo was attached simply to show how other window locks have corroded (specially the screws). I won't be replacing any other window locks (for now).

PS The window locks were fitted by the company who supplied the aluminium joinery in 1990.

tweake

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#3233794 23-May-2024 14:02

alisam:

Penetrating oil - Which is better for this situation? WD40 or CRC 5.56?

neither of them are really penetrating oils, but in this case either one will do fine. wd40 would be my preferred if you have it. however you need to give it time, eg 24 hrs, for it to creep through the rust.