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Question

I have two heat sink screws that are stuck

Aug 7, 2017 5:59AM PDT

I have a HP dv6-6042eo. When dissembling it, I run into a problem - two heat sink screws with springs on them are stuck. They are spinning in place and not moving or somehow stuck. And the golden gear parts on the other side of the screw hole are moving to and that is why I think the screws are sppining in place. I don't know what to do and don't want to break the motherboard.

Any suggestions?

I'll leave a link for reference what I'm talking about (the 8th and 5th screwa are the problem for me)

Reference (two upper screws on the right):
http://www.myfixguide.com/manual/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/HP-Pavilion-DV6-disassembly-16.jpg

Discussion is locked

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Answer
At this point it is broken
Aug 7, 2017 6:37AM PDT

So you need to move past the fear of breaking it since it's now broken in some way. Unless it was broken you usually don't need to pull off the heatsinks. I do when I think replacing the compound could clear up a failure but otherwise why do this removal?

If you must remove this your mechanical skills will be tested. How many times have you drilled out a bad screw, tapped new threads or cut a slot in a screw head so you can get a screw out?

There is no exact method you should use here. The choice is yours as a mechanic.

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Answer
Screws
Aug 7, 2017 7:18AM PDT

Somehow you need to find a way to keep the part that's in the mobo from spinning so you can remove the screws.

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Your reply had me remember one time
Aug 7, 2017 7:31AM PDT

I used Loctite to glue the nut to the frame then I was able to remove the screw almost normally.

The number of hacks I've used over the years is pretty long. I can't tell which method I'd use on this one but sometimes it's a two person job. That is, you have your friend hold the nut with needlenose and you turn the screw.

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Answer
tried needle nose pliers?
Aug 7, 2017 8:15AM PDT

Pulling up on the screw while turning it? An alternate on Rob's idea would be glue the screwdriver to the head of screw and then pull up on it while turning it.

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That gave me the words to find almost all the ways.
Aug 7, 2017 8:25AM PDT