Removal of Window Catch

[MickH]

Hi
Some these catches are scraping on the glass, so need to replace them.
 Can you please advise how to remove them. As they just keep rotating, when I hold the outside with a pair of mole grips I cannot turn the screw, its as if they are glued. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated 
Regards
Mick

[David Mack]

Where are they scraping on the glass, and what are you going to replace them with?

[MickH]

The washer looks like it has broken up, so the metal catch is scratching the glass. I have new one identical to replace them with 

 

[David Mack]

Well if you have the replacements, can't you just hacksaw through the existing catches parallel to the glass? Or maybe a thin cutting disc in an angle grinder?

Edited March 30, 2023 by David Mack

[Ronaldo47]

Petrol lighter fluid (if you can't get hold of some PlusGas) is good for releasing rusted screws.  It is far more penetrating than ordinary WD-40. 

[Northener]

Sorry I can’t help with your problem but if you do get them off can I have/ buy 2 of them? I have 2 missing on my boat and can’t find replacements. Anybody know where I can find some?

[MickH]

The screws do not look rusted, I have a feeling they have been secured with glue as they just won’t budge. Obviously I have to be careful the glass does not get broken 

You can buy the catches from Black Country Metal Works

[BEngo]

Drill the head off the screw.  Use a drill about the same size as the head  and get a friend to hold the outside part of the catch still  with some mole grips.  Locate the drill in  the centre of the screw recess and go steadily.

 

Once the head is off the screw the inside part should pull off.  You may need to twist  the catch while holding the outside part in order to free things up.

 

N

[jacko264]

Has it got a nut outside?

if so can you trap the catch inside and turn the nut anti  clockwise 

graham

[MickH]

No Graham it just a smooth end, tried gripping that with mole grips but to no avail. I am going to try WD40 and hope it gets down to the screw thread failing that will try heating the screw head up, fingers crossed one of them works

[David Mack]

1 minute ago, MickH said:

failing that will try heating the screw head up

How are you going to heat the screw head without risking cracking the glass?

Since you have new catches, wrecking the old ones isn't a problem, so you would be much better drilling out or cutting off.

[jacko264]

As some one said above try a small drill and drill the head of the bolt 

go very steady  the bolt may spin so mole grips may be required on the outside 

good luck

G

[jacko264]

Did you get the new catches  fitted  and if so how did you. Remove the old ones

Graham

[MickH]

Hi Graham, I did thankyou. I drilled out the screw on the inside of the catches. Thankfully successfully with breaking any glass!!! New ones fitted with new washers, as good as new now. 

[jacko264]

I thought you would do it like that  as I worked at a bus garage 31years in the body shop and that’s how we removed stubborn window screws 

happy boating 

Graham