Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

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Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

September 02, 2020, 02:52:25 pm

The piston like holder-uppers on two of the overhear cabinets on my 2017 MB have failed. They haven't worked for a while - but after my wife getting her hand slammed "for the last time!", I called Todd at the MotherShip and he mailed me four of them. When I tried removing the first one, the screws were really in there tight. I had to use my power drill. I was able to remove two of the three screws, but managed to strip the third screw head. Any advice on how to remove it? See picture.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #1 – September 02, 2020, 03:01:30 pm

It's not hard, but there are a few tricks and it helps to have learned by experience (like you're doing now!).

See if this helps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz1SatVZ-zE

Since the strut is broken, you can also cut the bracket and remove it using something like a dremel tool, which would give plenty of room to grab the screw with some vice grips.

Rich

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #2 – September 02, 2020, 03:25:01 pm

Quote from: Glenn Lambert - September 02, 2020, 02:52:25 pm

Any advice on how to remove it? See picture.

Have several small ViceGrips that work well. Advice for the future - get a power impact driver that uses hex bits. It can break the screw loose without damaging the head. Most power tool lines that use a common battery have this tool.

Steve

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #3 – September 02, 2020, 04:10:52 pm

Well, I tried an easy way by using a rubber band over the screw head, but that didn't work. I thought this was going to be a free (Todd sent me the four holder-uppers free) and easy job. Now I'm off to Lowe's or Home Depot to buy a screw extractor bit. Better buy a power impact driver as well.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #4 – September 02, 2020, 04:25:28 pm

The video was very good. Here's another trick: using a narrow file or a cutoff wheel in a Dremel tool, slot the screw head. Then use an appropriate flat-blade screwdriver to back it out.

Ever look at a Canadian-built RV? They're put together with Robertson screws, the kind with a square recess in the head. My Trillium was built in Canada, and almost every fastener is a Robertson type. Robertson screws are far less likely to strip than Phillips screws.

Why didn't they become standard in the US? Wikipedia tells the story:

Robertson had licensed the screw design to a maker in England, but the party that he was dealing with intentionally drove the licensee company into bankruptcy and purchased the rights at a reduced price from the trustee, thus circumventing the original agreement. Robertson spent a small fortune buying back the rights, and subsequently refused to allow anyone else to make the screws under license.

When Henry Ford tried out the Robertson screws, he found that they saved considerable time in Model T production, but when Robertson refused to license the screw design, Ford realized that the supply of screws would not be guaranteed and chose to limit their use in production to Ford's Canadian division. Robertson's refusal to license his screws prevented their widespread adoption in the United States, where the more widely-licensed Phillips head gained wider acceptance.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #5 – September 03, 2020, 03:33:55 am

Hi Glen; The screw extractor 'drill' bits really aren't the right tool here. A small pair of vise grips is the best, because you have a stub sticking out. EZ-outs can get loose and shred the surroundings. Usually you need to drill a pilot hole to start the ez-out, not easy on this small of a screw. It will be hard to find a proper size drill and EZ-out. At least you have a stub sticking out, and a really small amout of oil or liquid detergent soap can help to remove it.
As Larry said, an electric drill with a properly sized bit, (a number 1 phillips here) will do the other bracket screws the easiest way. Less likely to strip out other screw heads. I Wish that modern Torx screws were more common. RonB

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #6 – September 03, 2020, 09:53:13 am

Pardon me Glenn, but the root cause was using a power tool. Perhaps one with an incorrect head size.
I have a bit of arthritis so power tools are attractive to me. But, in work like this, I find it best to get a screwdriver with a fatter grip, longer handle to allow me to put more torque on the screw while putting enough force on the screw to maintain good contact.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #7 – September 03, 2020, 10:52:26 am

I have several tools, screwdrivers, wrenches, socket wrench, etc., from Tekton; they offer a broad selection of high quality, relatively inexpensive hand tools, several with "ergonomic" grips.

TEKTON® Hand Tools | Shop Sockets, Wrenches, Screwdrivers & Pliers

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #8 – September 03, 2020, 12:45:23 pm

I can vouch for the Tekton tools; I've bought several on Joan's recommendation. Very good quality at a reasonable price.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #9 – September 04, 2020, 08:35:47 pm

Quote from: Glenn Lambert - September 02, 2020, 04:10:52 pm

Well, I tried an easy way by using a rubber band over the screw head, but that didn't work. I thought this was going to be a free (Todd sent me the four holder-uppers free) and easy job. Now I'm off to Lowe's or Home Depot to buy a screw extractor bit. Better buy a power impact driver as well.

Well, I bought a "Grabbit Speedout Damaged Screw Extractor" kit and was able to remove the stripped screw. I replaced the piston holder-upper with the new one sent from Todd. It still doesn't keep the door up. Oh well. I'm not putting any more time and money into it. We'll just have to live with it.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Door Holder-Upper

Reply #10 – September 04, 2020, 08:52:55 pm

Hi Glen, Glad you got that screw out. If one spring strut isn't enough to hold the door up, you can put one of the extra struts that Todd sent you on the other corner of the door. Two should hold up the door. 4 spring struts is enough for two doors. RonB

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