Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Alright folks, got another challange.

So my right side headlight burned out the other day, I got a replacement bulb and found a very helpful post on here how to change it, looks easy as pie. Well nothing seems to be easy when I try to do anything mechanical. I started unscrewing the three screws that holds the side and lower part of the lights and lo and behold the middle screw is stripped, stripped bad. I have tried 4 different screw drivers and nothing works, too rounded out. Those of you that have done this know how tight the quaters are between the bull bar... and.... well any ideas or tricks on how to get it out? All I can think of is to try and drill it, but I don't see anyway that I could get a drill in there at all. I'm currently thinking about smashing the plastic around the screw, you know the little tab, but that's a last resort unless anyone else had any ideas.

Have a nice day!
Gary

I use a set of "screw out" "reverse" drill bits. They are made for removing stripped screws - you can get them from Ukrainian Tire.

Alternatively, when I drill out a screw I use a smaller drill bit than the diameter of the thread, and that takes it out.

However, are you sure you need to remove screws? On most vehicles I have owned, you can remove the lights from the rear of the glass by turning a plastic cuff, and pulling the lights out. No screw removal needed at all. (Disclaimer, I don't yet own a Deli).

It's a bit of a pain, but if you just can't work around the bull-bar, you could remove it first.

As for the stripped screw, several auto-parts places sell stripped screw extractor bits, basically they're like a screwdriver bit, but have a bit of a blade to them to bite in to any metal they can. if those fail though you will likely require a drill.

Hey Gary, calm down, do NOT be breaking plastic tabs off -- then you'll be posting asking people how to replace that part.

Just breathe, calmly, and drive out to visit us in Burnaby, we'll help you, have done a couple headlight issues so we'll figure it out.

Jay works near Canada Way and Edmonds in Burnaby, and has various tools there. Can you drive with the high beams on? If you have no lights, we can visit you.

This evening, or Friday evening best for us. Reply to this post, and I will PM you Jay's cell.
Regards, Christine.

That is so cool.

I think I'm startin to 'feel the love' again on delica.ca!
Seems it's been missing around these parts for a while

TardisDeli wrote:Hey Gary, calm down, do NOT be breaking plastic tabs off -- then you'll be posting asking people how to replace that part.

Just breathe, calmly, and drive out to visit us in Burnaby, we'll help you, have done a couple headlight issues so we'll figure it out.

Jay works near Canada Way and Edmonds in Burnaby, and has various tools there. Can you drive with the high beams on? If you have no lights, we can visit you.

This evening, or Friday evening best for us. Reply to this post, and I will PM you Jay's cell.
Regards, Christine.

But Christine, that's how I learn how to fix stuff, try to fix something, break something else in the process, try to fix that, break another thing and so on, and so on... just kidding... kind of . It's okay, I'm not freaking out about it, actually been working on it off and on for about a week trying to figure out how to get the little bugger out, finally gave up today.

Thats an awesome mighty generous offer of yours, I think I had Jays number but if you could send it again incase I can't find it that would be great.

Geese why did I stop visiting this site, two problems in one week met with nothing but generous offers of stuff, offers of help and lost of understanding.

Best wishes

snelson wrote:That is so cool.

I think I'm startin to 'feel the love' again on delica.ca!
Seems it's been missing around these parts for a while

I tell ya, I'm feeling lots of love! Turned a frustrated frown into a happy smile! woo hoo

Hey Gary, PM sent with Jay's cell number.

Very glad you accepted offer to help, it SO--oo-o much easier on my nerves to help now ... rather than read your future grovelling snivelling post where you beg everyone to give you their old cracked lens to replace the one you bashed ... or worse to read your proud post about how you invented a new use for saran wrap as a lens cover that works except if you exceed 40 miles an hour.

And if you really want to do it yrself, I am sure Jay will happily let you do it while he plays games with his new iphone.

Cheers, Christine.

Gary,
Is it the plastic moulding that you are having the trouble with? and what colour is it. I have a spare Greeny Bluey Teal coloured one IF you get in a bind. I had the same problem, I just cut the end off a sacrificial screwdriver to fit between the bull bar

Cheers

Hi Golf Cart, yet another wonderful and helpful delica cult member...

Gary is on his way to our house now (6:30pm Wednesday), I will show him your post. Do you want to PM me your phone number just in case we need to call you?

Cheers, Christine.

TardisDeli wrote:Hey Gary, PM sent with Jay's cell number.

... rather than read your future grovelling snivelling post where you beg everyone to give you their old cracked lens to replace the one you bashed ... or worse to read your proud post about how you invented a new use for saran wrap as a lens cover that works except if you exceed 40 miles an hour.

Cheers, Christine.

I had no idea you knew me so well Christine lol.

Geese I don' know what to say other than wow. Not only did Christine and Jay invite me over to help me out (and luckilly the screw was eventually liberated by using a drill and some crafty prying) I also got fed delicious apple and Rhubarb pie to boot! I can't thank you guys enough.

And golf cart a special thanks to you as well. Luckilly nothing broke but if it did, pretty cool that you have the same color as mine is. Maybe when the next light needs changed... hope not.

Seriously thanks all so much, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had a smile put on their face by the positive energy of this thread.

Have a good day everyone.
Gary

I would think anyone who gets apple rhubarb pie would have a smile on their face. The only thing better is strawberry rhubarb!!