One-way Screw World Problems

[65RoadRacer]

I don't know if it's been addressed before, but while I'm doing my rewiring project I ran into a bit of a snag. The license lamps are held in with one-way screws - who's bright idea was that one back in the 1960s? Did they think that nobody would ever replace them?

Anyhoo... I made rather quick work of the four screws with a Dremel and a little WD40. The WD40 was only used on the top side (inside trunk) for the one stubborn screw; the Dremel metal cutting disc allowed me to make a score across the head portion, enough to turn all four screws out.

I'm sure I'm not a pioneer to this method, but this solution took me all of about 5 minutes, and all screws are out. Just be careful not to cut too deep, a steady hand and a quick blip of the cutting wheel did the trick. If you go too deep, you're screwed (pun intended).

 

[65hemi]

My license lamps were removed by the previous owner, and I had normal screws in my exterior screw kit, so did not have to through your pain. However, getting the lamp housings to ground so the lights would operate was a pain. The housings are insulated by the gasket so had to scratch some fresh paint to get the screws to ground.

 

[moparcrazy]

Thanks for the Heads up Mike !! i have NOS lenses that ill put on some day !!

 

[65RoadRacer]

Thanks for the Heads up Mike !! i have NOS lenses that ill put on some day !!

Hey, I don't mind being your guinnea pig, Jay... as long as it's successful! haha Good seeing you last weekend at Mopars in May! I'm planning Willow again in October, first weekend, I believe it is.

- - - Updated - - -

My license lamps were removed by the previous owner, and I had normal screws in my exterior screw kit, so did not have to through your pain. However, getting the lamp housings to ground so the lights would operate was a pain. The housings are insulated by the gasket so had to scratch some fresh paint to get the screws to ground.

At first I was thinking, how the hell am I going to do this...haha. Couldn't you ground the lenses from inside somehow? Such as a ring terminal between the lens and body where the screw goes in? just wondering.

 

[Cranky]

I've never seen a one way screw on a factory stock vehicle in my life!!

 

[Photon440]

I don't know if it's been addressed before, but while I'm doing my rewiring project I ran into a bit of a snag. The license lamps are held in with one-way screws - who's bright idea was that one back in the 1960s? Did they think that nobody would ever replace them?

Anyhoo... I made rather quick work of the four screws with a Dremel and a little WD40. The WD40 was only used on the top side (inside trunk) for the one stubborn screw; the Dremel metal cutting disc allowed me to make a score across the head portion, enough to turn all four screws out.

I'm sure I'm not a pioneer to this method, but this solution took me all of about 5 minutes, and all screws are out. Just be careful not to cut too deep, a steady hand and a quick blip of the cutting wheel did the trick. If you go too deep, you're screwed (pun intended).

View attachment 259014

Whoever put those on in the first place probably had the right tool to remove them http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-Pr...qid=1432605682&sr=8-2&keywords=One+Way+Screws

And they undoubtedly hoped that the average crook wouldn't have that driver and steal their plates.

 

[65RoadRacer]

These were on the license plate lamps, and I've heard of it before in passing... Here's where I saw it. So now you've seen it on two cars, at least! Haha

Sad thing is that even if you did remove them, there was nothing to take but the screws and maybe the bulbs, the lamps remove from inside the trunk.

Funny thing: I went to Home Depot to buy four replacement screws, and the first bag I saw that was 8-32x1/2" I grabbed it. Wouldn't you know the bag I grabbed was a set of one-way screws? LMAO.

 

[malex]

I've never seen a one way screw on a factory stock vehicle in my life!!

There were one-way screws holding my license plate lights in too.. Glad that mine came out easily. But really? Like what was the line of thought with that!