Sustain block screws are stuck

[benjammin308]

I'm trying to replace the saddle hieght adjustment screws on an old special, no. 01968. Most of them are stuck, and I mean stuck. I tried drilling one out with no luck, the screws may be hardened. I'm wondering if I should try heating the saddles to see if they expand more than the screws? I've tried penetrating oil, and the issue is complicated by the hex holes being all messed up, so the screws are hard to get a grip on. I know how to remove big screws when they are stuck, but these little ones are a pain.

[Steve Haynie]

Try the heat.

[tbonesullivan]

if it's rust, throw them in some Vap-o-rust. It's a non-corrosive rust chelating agent. It only attacks rust, and that's it. leaves everything else alone.

[Jimbilly]

I've had really good luck a number of times like this: take off the saddle, apply or soak in solvent for a while (wd 40 seems to work fine), grip saddle with needlenose vice-grips, hold a cig lighter on the saddle near the screw until it gets HOT, then try with the hex wrench. On all but the toughest corroded saddle height screws, this can work really-really well.

If that doesn't work, get it good and hot, even a bit red-hot, with a propane torch. Let it cool, soak, repeat. Eventually it will break loose. My brother is a dirt contractor who does most of his own mechanics, he is a big fan of adding heat to free stuck fasteners and turned me on to that method. I think the rust-bond may actually be partially broken by the heat, but the expansion of the outer part is probably the biggest help.

[flattop]

Ive had this problem before.

Take the saddles off from bridge then get some strong pliers with good grip and turn the threaded portion under the saddle .

It will chew up threads but hey they are useless anyway.

Worked for me.

[benjammin308]

I've had really good luck a number of times like this: take off the saddle, apply or soak in solvent for a while (wd 40 seems to work fine), grip saddle with needlenose vice-grips, hold a cig lighter on the saddle near the screw until it gets HOT, then try with the hex wrench. On all but the toughest corroded saddle height screws, this can work really-really well.

If that doesn't work, get it good and hot, even a bit red-hot, with a propane torch. Let it cool, soak, repeat. Eventually it will break loose. My brother is a dirt contractor who does most of his own mechanics, he is a big fan of adding heat to free stuck fasteners and turned me on to that method. I think the rust-bond may actually be partially broken by the heat, but the expansion of the outer part is probably the biggest help.

Ive had this problem before.

Take the saddles off from bridge then get some strong pliers with good grip and turn the threaded portion under the saddle .

It will chew up threads but hey they are useless anyway.

Worked for me.

I'm going to have to try a combination of these suggestions. The hex heads are too messed up to use so I have to use a pliers, and it sounds like the heat is worth a try. I like the lighter idea. Since I've got a bunch to do I might just light a candle. Thanks all for the input.