Stripped Brass Screw
 

The brass screw on the idle control valve on my throttle body is stripped.

I know there is some kind of reverse-threaded drill bit that I can buy to remove the screw after I drill a hole down its center--what is this kind of bit called?

Easy-Out

One'a these?
http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:V2DKaTlL3LIJ:www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do%3Fpid%3D00952154000+sears+screw+remover &hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=safari

Left handed drill bit.
Good luck.

Bryan, I've got those....they'll all too big for that screw.

I also use square shank screw extractors.
They tend to not spread out (causing even more binding) the broken screw as much as regular extractors (EZ out) can as you rotate them.
.
Good luck II.

Just drill the largest hole down the center that you can. The rest will almost fall out by itself. We are talking about 4-40 or 6-32 screw sizes here with a brass screw.

Otherwise just drill it out and tap for the next size screw.

Easy-Out (ee-zee-owt) n.
1. The hardest known substance in the universe, most likely to be found snapped off in holes that have been inexplicably drilled into bolts, screws, etc.

Many times a left handed drill bit is all you'll need. The bit will drill out the offending bolt, but I've found that it also tends to back the screw out as you're drilling. We've got a couple of 1/8" drill bits in the shop we use for exactly that purpose, and they work great.


Good luck,
Jim

For the real problems theres wire EDM.

Cut a slot with a dremel and use a flat-blade screwdriver.

I have done that before, but I can't here. The screw is set down in a hole about 1/4".

I got a hold of a reverse-threaded tapered bit. Worked like a charm!

Bar soap for wood, antiseize for metal. Dremel should sell a 90deg drive head or tool for those situations.