Help needed with car door latch problem

[Fordulike]

My Micra runabout needed the driver side door latch adjusting a little, which can be done by loosening the 2 latch screws. The picture isn't the actual car, but the latch is very similar (too dark outside to take piccy)

I grabbed a large pozidrive out of the toolbox and attempted to undo the screws.
One loosened fine, but the other was tight and I ended up striping the head slightly without any movement from the screw.
I stopped before I damaged the head any more

The question is: Would an impact screwdriver be suitable to use, to have another attempt at loosening this rogue screw, or does anyone have a better idea?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Use some penetrating oil.It's gone rusty the other side of the nut. If the head has come high enough, you can use mole grips on it. Turn it both ways with the penetrating oil on it to dissolve the rust. If it's stuck, an impact driver will get it out, but better to treat the cause of the stiffness rather than the symptoms.

 

[Fordulike]

I've got some Plusgas dismantling fluid in the shed. Will give it a good spraying in the morning and try again. Thanks mate

 

[RobF]

I've got some Plusgas dismantling fluid in the shed. Will give it a good spraying in the morning and try again. Thanks mate

Spray now and in the morning.

I know it's not the fixing in the pic, but that one is a Torx, so check yours is not.

An impact driver shocks the thread.

You can replicate this by smacking the end of your screwdriver with a hammer while at the same time applying some undoing force.

 

[neptune]

First remove the good screw. Then turn the whole latch assembly back and forth. This will either break the bond between screw and latch, or it may even turn the bad screw a bit. It may however scratch the paint around the latch.

 

[john h]

Remove the good screw then use the penetrating oil the type with the small straw and direct it at the stuck screw by feeding in through the hole ( down or up ) take care if using an impact driver,you could bend the door pillier in

 

[Fordulike]

All great tips. Job done and dusted. Big thanks to all

 

[neptune]

Glad you fixed it. So how did you do it?

 

[Fordulike]

Plenty of dismantling/penetrating fluid. The good screw out, then a bit of light tapping with a hammer and wiggling of latch to break the grip of the stubborn screw.

 

[Fordulike]

You don't realise how much friction and grip rust holds on a nut, bolt or screw, until you dissolve or remove that rust.
Something that looks only mildly rusty, can give a great deal of grief, especially if it's located in an awkward place with no chance of getting a monster sized spanner on there.
I suppose it's all in the preparation, and I rushed into this job thinking it'll be a doddle.
How wrong I was lol

 

[neptune]

Get into the habit of greasing threads when reassembling parts.

 

[RobF]

The fixing will probably not have been moved since it left the factory.

Probably no more than overspray in the thread of the captive nut, assembled 'just in time' before the paint dried.

 

[Fordulike]

The fixing will probably not have been moved since it left the factory.

Probably no more than overspray in the thread of the captive nut, assembled 'just in time' before the paint dried.

That's Nissan efficiency for you