Stripped T30 Screw

[thesavo]

So I was all set to remove stock steering wheel and swap in a wood grain from a '00 outback on my' 04 legacy.

The passenger side screw for the air bag is Stripped. .

Does anyone have any ideas?
I can't get in there to cut a slot to use a standard slotted driver. Would a Sears screw-out work? I have my doubts on it working with a star. That screw is on wicked tight.

The picture is a little deceiving, it's not a security screw with thing in the middle.

[Huffer]

drill a small bit into it, then hammer a bigger bit in, and use pliers to turn it.

[thesavo]

It's Stripped, bad. I could try hammering a T35. Should I try the tightening twist to loosen it.?

[Huffer]

At this point if you can drill it out, that'll probably be the best bet. IIRC, it's only used to hold the airbag charge to the wheel, so even if you drill it out a bit bigger, you can always use a standard bolt when you reassemble.

[fireman2101]

If you have a security bit set you might be able to find a bit that fits sung and hammer it in. Then twist it out.

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[rkrenicki]

How did that managed to get stripped? That is such an odd spot to find a stripped screw.

I would be real real careful with a drill in that area.. you do not want to accidentally heat up/spark around the airbag charge..

[thesavo]

That's a very good point. I'll be sure to sit in passenger seat in case it goes off. I'm going to try the T35 +hammer first.
I first used a sec T30 bit because that's what I had. I'll try sec T35. Though a normal T37 may be more ideal.

[decke48]

if a bigger torx doesnt work
1 )drill out the center tab. and try a triple square socket

2 ) drilling a pilot hole for a screw extractor
3 ) drill out bolt

[thesavo]

Thankfully it's not a secure star.
I'm going to try the larger star, then the triple square.
Also, a member on an outback board said I have a second problem. That my legacy Airbag won't fit the outback wheel.

If I can't get screw then I'm going to sell the wheel, and not buy the obk airbag.

[Dead91silvia]

Umm.. I have never seen that happen before. Were you not using the right bits?

[thesavo]

Umm.. I have never seen that happen before. Were you not using the right bits?

I used the same T30 secure bit (security bit kit was what I had) that I used in the yard, on the woody. It loosed the left one in my car, after stripping the right one. I also used the same technique of tightening it just a Hair. Same technique I used in the yard. Perhaps I was a few degrees off of center.

[rkrenicki]

I could be wrong, but I thought that the 3rd gen airbag screw there was a T27? Perhaps that is why it stripped, since a T30 would not fully engage into the screw?

[thesavo]

FSM said it was T30. It shouldn't have been torqued that tight. Only 10 newton Meters or 7.2 Foot Pounds


Directions for future modders.

[Huffer]

Re: fitment of the airbags:
Why would you keep the stock airbag if the new steering wheel already has one fitted and hasn't detonated? It wouldn't make sense.

[thesavo]

Re: fitment of the airbags:
Why would you keep the stock airbag if the new steering wheel already has one fitted and hasn't detonated? It wouldn't make sense.

The airbag from the outback/wood had been detonated.
So when I picked the wood wheel I thought I could just more my undetonated plastic Airbag over.

[Huffer]

That makes sense now. You might still get lucky if the airbag charge is the same size. I can't see why not, they kept the same size and shape for nearly 10 years.

[thesavo]

The problem with salvage yards in NYS is state regulation. I haven't seen a vehicle in the yard without a detonate Airbag. My guess was, "that's the cars they get." It's because they don't know how to neutralize them. You bring up a good point. What if I keep the charge and find a proper, undamaged cover."

Sounds like a post in WTB.

I Need a 4 spoke, un detonated Airbag cover-only for an 2001-04 outback with wood/VDC, or 2002 - 2003 impreza WRX. I'm cheap and don't need the charge.

[rkrenicki]

Black or Beige? Outbacks had both options. I have a whole wheel with charge and cover for sale right now, but it is beige... and I know that the screws are not stripped, heh.

[thesavo]

I checked the for sale thread. That's a bit over my budget. Unfortunately, I'm stuck until I get the old Airbag out.

[Hinyo]

Ive done this before... as everyone else said Get a bigger one you dont mind potentially not being able to reused. Smack it in good and hard and turn it. Should work. I just got another from the junkyard to replace it

[thesavo]

Tried a T35 and no luck. I hammered it in there. That screw is in there. It's really Stripped out now. Looks like a wood wheel and a momo Airbag are going up for sale.

[decke48]

you can get a t40 in if you really determined

[thesavo]

My father dropped off some screw extractors.

[thesavo]

Broke off a #4 screw extractor.

[thesavo]

Update. I picked up a set of LHD drill bits at HFT for $8.00. I thought that would make short work but I was wrong. I must have drilled a little off center. More drilling tomorrow. I'm starting to feel like a dentist.

[thesavo]

Well, the wood wheel is now on. Does anyone know the torque setting for the 17mm steering nut?