Stuck s***w - How to get it out if it doesn't tighten or loosen?

Question

I have an lcd monitor mounted to an LCD arm like this one: http://www.woodparts.ca/media/erg-530.jpg

I was unmounting the monitor today and took 3 of the 4 screws out. The 4th s***w however isn't loosening no matter how much I turn counter-clockwise. I tried turning it clockwise to tighten it but nothing happens doing that either. It's just turning with no effect.

Then I tried just pulling the mount and monitor apart but that didn't work. After I tried turning both ways while pushing the s***w down as hard as I can. I grabbed a powerdrill and did the same thing with that but got no results.

Help!

Answer 1

hi there

it sounds like the brass insert has broken away from the plastic inside the vesa mount on the monitor.

can you remove the back off the monitor?

it might be easier to dismount the arm first.

With the monitor insitu I can not see anyway around this short of using a hacksaw blade (which will scratch things)

You might be able to drill the s***w out but I think you might find that this will fail as the s***w will spin

____________edit

i do not believe that a s***w extractor will help as they are designed to remove screws that will not turn and have lost their heads.

Other than a hacksaw blade the only other option that i can see is to use a drill bit slightly larger than the s***w head. As mentioned this will be difficult as the s***w will spin. Perhaps super glue might help to hold it still. Once the head is gone you will be able to remove the stand

if it works you will still need to find a way of removing the brass insert once you have opened the monitor.

I am suprised that it can not be opened even with the arm attached. I have never seen a monitor that cannot be opened. granted some are easier than others to open. The s***w smight be behind the front bezel or under little covers

if it could be opened then you could use your s***w driver as normal whilst gripping the insert with a set of pliars. You might be able to expoxy glue the insert back after.

If the glue doesn't work then three screws might be enough to mount the monitor in future. Some only use two screws.

Answer 2

Maybe if you put the three you took out, back in tight then try the one again that is striped out..It may just fall out when you take the pressure off it.

Answer 3

There is a drill bit for getting out stripped screws.  That will probably work.