SOLVED: How do I remove fuel door screw?

How do I remove the screw, highlighted with the arrow, that hold the clip on the fuel door?

I've tried a P3 screwdriver, as recommended, and other phillips drivers...
can get vice grips on it, but too tight to turn...

I briefly thought of grinding it off, but still would have the threads in the hole to deal with. I do not see any loctite on it

its a new truck, has not been rusted in place

 

Try spraying some penetrating oil on it and let it set for a few minutes. They have a 2000 pound gorilla that puts that screw in at the factory.

 

I agree with using penetrating oil. If that doesn't help, it might be a rare case of needing an impact driver. If so, I wouldn't count on the screw surviving the extraction.

 

I'd probably try an electric heat gun before graduating to impact.

 

I tried PB Blaster...
I tried a DeWalt drill driver
I tried vice grips

And the screw will not even begin to turn...

I wonder about a torch, but don't want to ruin the paint on the door

I dont care about the screw being toast, the head is already a little worn, and the device Im installing has its own screw

 

Yeah, I wouldn't use a torch, only an electric heat gun, and even that very carefully.

 

Known issue reported in the Tacoma circles. Need a JIS screwdriver tip, e.g.

$14 VESSEL BALL GRIP 1/4" Hex. Bit Interchangeable Screwdriver (Bit 3PC. (+1, +3 / +2, -6 / PZ2, PZ3) SET. 220W3J1)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E55DL4I/ I had a similar problem removing the fog light screws and the JIS bit made all the difference.

 

thanks
ordered
be here tomorrow

 

^I'm curious what mod you're trying to do? There's a stamped-in fuel cap holder. Are you trying to install a locking latch?

 

trying to modify fuel cap holder...

 

I agree with the JIS screwdriver recommendation, but those don't always work. You may also want to look into an Impact Screwdriver (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0JFWBntAVA&ab_channel=MotorcycleShows). It uses the force of a hammer to push the bit into the screw while also applying a rotation to loosen the screw. You will likely need to support the fuel door from the backside with something soft while hitting but it's an option if the JIS bit doesn't work.

 

Since you're gonna replace the screw anyway, Dremel the head off & drill it out.

 

I got the JIS screwdriver today, and it didn't slip, but the screw didn't budge
The JIS is something I needed anyway...

I started to get the Dremel, with a small bit to drill the center, but then decided to drill the head...
twist it off broken and use vice grips on the remaining stud

Got the head drilled partway, and it was hot to the touch...
used vice grips and the screw just twisted out really easy

A little heat was the key, but not sure how I could have gotten enough heat just on the screw with a heat gun

thanks for the good advice...

 

I was looking at that holder as well but I saw the issues removing the screw. It must have threadlocker.

 

I'm glad you didn't get screwed.

 

Maybe a soldering iron?

 

its certainly not a 'must have' mod...
but I think it looks neat, and it was only $25...
its sturdy and well made, has slots cut into it to slip into the door and includes a correct screw,
the seller must sell quite a few, down to 6 left and in 14 carts...I got grey and its sold out now

The screw doesn't have any thread locker, after the heat broke the screw loose...it came out easy, but I couldn't budge it before
just try your screw to see how hard it is...

I destroyed the head of the original screw, I already found the toyota replacement screw and its in my cart for next order I make
Fuel Door Bolt - Toyota (90159-60260)
2010-2023 Toyota 4Runner - 9015960260
$1.28

 

Thanks for the suggestions,
I got the screw out and added my gas cap holder...

 

Curious as to why you weren't using the OEM cap holder from Toyota??

 

surprised a 3d printed gas cap holder is not a $500 port installed option, rather than $25 from etsy...

 

Most likely has loctite on it. I found this out removing the name plate panel off the back door on my new 4R at christmas last year. I have pulled a bunch of them off in the past, but found my 2023 has green loctite on the screws and it trashed the screws, nuts, and plastic clips that holds the screws in place.
Here is the post i made on the other forum about it. If its got green loctite, you are screwed you are not getting it out without breaking something or a LOT of heat, like 600+ degrees

 

But the one on the door works fine for me.

 

I had one of those made by Meso Customs on my Tacoma (because Tacomas don't have a factory gas cap holder). I quit using it and just hung the gas cap lanyard on the door closure hickie. It just felt counter productive wedging the gas cap into the hole.

 

Umm, that’s what you’re supposed to do. The Tacoma and tundras alike, you hang the lanyard on the door clip.

 

I can only assume people don’t realize that’s what it’s for. I see folks at the gas station just drop the cap and let it hang from the lanyard all the time hitting the body. I don’t guess some people know or care that there is a clip to hang the cap inside the fuel door.

 

That's what I asked, twice?

 

One possible reason is that the factory clip doesn't hold as securely as the screw-in addition. At least my clip doesn't. I wonder if I could improve it by just bending the clip a little.

 

Now there's an idea! That would make the Tesla owners jealous!

 

It doesn't sit squarely in the clip or make solid contact on both sides of the clip. A good breeze will dislodge it. Anyway, I'm not saying that it bothers me or that I would install an alternative, just guessing why the OP may have chosen to do so.

 

If you’ll notice there are two wide flat “tabs” on the bottom neck of the fuel cap below the threads. You’ll want to make sure these wider flat tabs are at 9:00 and 3:00 they are made to sit in that holder stamped into the back of the fuel door and hold it snug.
If you just throw the cap in the holder, it could possibly fall out but if you twist the cap where those two tabs are parallel to the ground it helps lock the cap in place.