Question How to remove motherboard risers when they turn with the screws?

[Massacher]

I recently bought a new case. Antec P20C

I've installed my motherboard but it's a bit loose. The screws went in pretty tightly. Like they are too big maybe. But if they were they wouldn't have gone in at all?
When I attempted to remove it the screws click when unscrewing them. How can I remove them? No matter how many times I turn them to unscrew them they won't come out.
I've tried holding the risers from the other side with needle nose pliers but it slips and they keep on turning. There isn't enough of them sticking out to grab properly.
I used the screws from my motherboard naturally but I've realised after that the case I recently bought comes with six of the same screws. And I want to use those but I can't seeing as I can't unscrew my motherboard currently.
Is there some sort of tool that I can use to prevent the risers from turning as I unscrew the screws?

 

[kanewolf]

I recently bought a new case. Antec P20C

I've installed my motherboard but it's a bit loose. The screws went in pretty tightly. Like they are too big maybe. But if they were they wouldn't have gone in at all?
When I attempted to remove it the screws click when unscrewing them. How can I remove them? No matter how many times I turn them to unscrew them they won't come out.
I've tried holding the risers from the other side with needle nose pliers but it slips and they keep on turning. There isn't enough of them sticking out to grab properly.
I used the screws from my motherboard naturally but I've realised after that the case I recently bought comes with six of the same screws. And I want to use those but I can't seeing as I can't unscrew my motherboard currently.
Is there some sort of tool that I can use to prevent the risers from turning as I unscrew the screws?

There are needle nose vice grip pliers. There are also tiny box end wrenches that could hold the risers. You have cross threaded screws. There is no easy answer.

 

[hedwar2011]

Do the riser pegs have holes on the other side that you are using the needle-nose pliers on? I know some do but there are also some that don't. If they do, take a screw of similar size, screw it in, and use that for leverage.

Its strange that the risers would be turning with the screws. Makes me wonder if the riser pegs weren't the correct size.

 

[Massacher]

There are needle nose vice grip pliers. There are also tiny box end wrenches that could hold the risers. You have cross threaded screws. There is no easy answer.

Will the vice grip pliers be strong enough to hold them while I unscrew them? The problem is there is very little of them sticking out to be able to grab.
The wrenches could be a better solution.
This is very frustrating. I've never had it happen before.

 

[Massacher]

Do the riser pegs have holes on the other side that you are using the needle-nose pliers on? I know some do but there are also some that don't. If they do, take a screw of similar size, screw it in, and use that for leverage.

Its strange that the risers would be turning with the screws. Makes me wonder if the riser pegs weren't the correct size.

No they don't. I can see the threads sticking out but there is barely enough to grab onto.
I think you maybe right. They were very tight when I screwed in the screws. Is my motherboard doomed to be stuck in this case forever?

If I do manage to get them out how can I screw them in so that they won't turn with screws? I should have done that first before I installed my motherboard. But I was too excited to get into building straight away so I didn't check them.

 

[kanewolf]

Will the vice grip pliers be strong enough to hold them while I unscrew them? The problem is there is very little of them sticking out to be able to grab.
The wrenches could be a better solution.
This is very frustrating. I've never had it happen before.

I can't say. vice grip pliers can hold very tight.

 

[hedwar2011]

This is a long shot but you could also try taking a eraser, either from a pencil or a larger one, and try threading it onto the peg screw and see if it will let you loosen it. I doubt it will work since they are spinning anyway but it's worth a shot.

You may have to get under the motherboard somehow with a box end wrench like kanewolf suggested.

 

[Massacher]

This is a long shot but you could also try taking a eraser, either from a pencil or a larger one, and try threading it onto the peg screw and see if it will let you loosen it. I doubt it will work since they are spinning anyway but it's worth a shot.

You may have to get under the motherboard somehow with a box end wrench like kanewolf suggested.

I could do that on the right side (closest to the front of the case) but not for the other six screws. There is no way to get under it. Not quite sure how I would use an eraser though?

 

[SkyNetRising]

I've tried holding the risers from the other side with needle nose pliers but it slips and they keep on turning. There isn't enough of them sticking out to grab properly.

Can you show a photo (motherboard back plate from the other side) ?
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

 

[Massacher]

Can you show a photo (motherboard back plate from the other side) ?
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

 

[SkyNetRising]

So you overtightened screws and standoffs now turn together with screws in both directions.
Is that correct?

Most likely threads in backplate screw holes are broken.
You should be able to push standoffs out (from back plate side).

 

[JeffreyP55]

Remove the motherboard. You can SAFELY access all of the hardware. Vice grips on a motherboard? Bad advice.

 

[hedwar2011]

Remove the motherboard. You can SAFELY access all of the hardware. Vice grips on a motherboard? Bad advice.

That's the issue he is experiencing. The screws are stripped in the standoffs which in turn is causing them to turn when he tries to loosen them.

@Massacher
From the look of the photo, it definitely drilled the holes for the standoffs when you tightened them down. There are a couple of options:
1) Get a screw removal kit and try removing them that way (not really recommended because of the size of the screw head)
2) Get a set of locking pliers and grab on to whatever you can on the right side and hope you can twist them loose.

EDIT #1:
3) Get a pin set and push them out from the back like SkyNetRising recommended. You should be able to get one small enough that will do the trick.

 

[stonecarver]

You can try this but will need two people. Have someone follow you as to what screw and stand off your backing off.

Have them follow you to same screw your working on and apply Gentle pressure on the back of the motherboard as you unscrew it.

Yes your riser is stuck and the riser and screw will still be on motherboard when you pull board.

The gentle pressure will let striped thread grab enough to get board off backplate. After you get it out on the bench than you have easy access to getting screw and riser off as well.

 

[Massacher]

So you overtightened screws and standoffs now turn together with screws in both directions.
Is that correct?

Yes. They only turn with the screws when I try to unscrew them.

Get a pin set and push them out from the back like SkyNetRising recommended. You should be able to get one small enough that will do the trick.

Can I just use the tip of a compass or the lid of a pen? Maybe even a coin? I essentially just need something to push them?

You can try this but will need two people. Have someone follow you as to what screw and stand off your backing off.

Have them follow you to same screw your working on and apply Gentle pressure on the back of the motherboard as you unscrew it.

Yes your riser is stuck and the riser and screw will still be on motherboard when you pull board.

The gentle pressure will let striped thread grab enough to get board off backplate. After you get it out on the bench than you have easy access to getting screw and riser off as well.

So will I be able to put on new risers once I've removed the stuck ones?
Since the threads in the backplate screw holes are most likely broken I'll have the same problem if I try to put new ones in? Since there's most likely no threads on the backplate I'll have the same issue in the future when I try to try to remove the motherboard?

I'm thinking of using the risers from my old case. They are golden in colour. The ones that came with this Antec case are black. I don't think that matters?
Reading some other threads on here I think I've used the wrong screws. I think they have the wrong thread? But I did compare them to the screws that come with this case. There's only six thought not nine. So there's only enough for the four corners and the top and bottom mid holes. The centre, right and left mid holes will remain without screws in them. How can I tell for sure which screws are correct?

EDIT: I had a look before I left for work. There are spare risers in one of the packs with screws in it that came with the case. They are similar but seem longer. I'm at work right now so can't do anything until after but I will take a pic of one of them after work. They seem to have better and longer threads. Which could be beneficial?

 

[Unolocogringo]

Most cases use different thread screws for the motherboard.
Case screws 6/24 have coarser or father apart threads than standoff screws 6/32. With the second number being threads per inch. American measurements.
Make sure the risers are the same height as the new ones.
I have small sockets and nut driver sets for standoffs.
Remove the board with the standoffs attached and use a socket or nut driver to be safe with the board.

 

[Massacher]

Most cases use different thread screws for the motherboard.
Case screws 6/24 have coarser or father apart threads than standoff screws 6/32. With the second number being threads per inch. American measurements.
Make sure the risers are the same height as the new ones.
I have small sockets and nut driver sets for standoffs.
Remove the board with the standoffs attached and use a socket or nut driver to be safe with the board.

What would those measurements be in imperial please?
The screws from my motherboard look pretty much exactly the same as the ones that are in the packet that came with the case from what I can tell.
I forgot to mention that the risers were pre-installed in the case. Don't know if that matters?

 

[Unolocogringo]

Motherboard would be m3x5 or 7with washers.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Massacher]

Motherboard would be m3x5 or 7with washers.

Amazon.co.uk

I definitely know I used the wrong screws.
I can see the difference in the thread. I think there's a packet with the correct screws in it. Hopefully I haven't damaged the back plate 😬

 

[bill001g]

If you messed up the threads in the case it tends to be almost impossible to fix the metal it is so thin. I guess you could look for taps and try to retap them to a slightly larger screw.

What I did was just brute force it when I did this years ago. First step is to make a trip to the local hardware store. Try to find some screws they sell that are about 1/2 or 3/4 inch long. You also will need a bunch of nuts and some washers that are made out of something other than metal. The size and thread is not too important since you are buying both the screw and the nuts. Key though is it must go though the motherboard holes easily.

Next just drill out all the points on the case pan where you need to mount screws. You want the hole large enough so the screws slide though easily.

Next you put a screw through each hole on the motherboard mounting a non metal washer on both sides. Use 1 nut to hold the screw and washers to the motherboard. Now add more nuts until you get aprox the same highet as a standoff. It does not have to be exact just be sure they are all the same. Now take this motherboard with all the screws and nuts and put it though the holes on the case. Use a final nut on the back side of pan on the case to hold it down.

Very tedious but it saves having to buy a new case. Make sure you very carefully clean the case of any metal shavings from drilling.

 

[Massacher]

If you messed up the threads in the case it tends to be almost impossible to fix the metal it is so thin. I guess you could look for taps and try to retap them to a slightly larger screw.

What I did was just brute force it when I did this years ago. First step is to make a trip to the local hardware store. Try to find some screws they sell that are about 1/2 or 3/4 inch long. You also will need a bunch of nuts and some washers that are made out of something other than metal. The size and thread is not too important since you are buying both the screw and the nuts. Key though is it must go though the motherboard holes easily.

Next just drill out all the points on the case pan where you need to mount screws. You want the hole large enough so the screws slide though easily.

Next you put a screw through each hole on the motherboard mounting a non metal washer on both sides. Use 1 nut to hold the screw and washers to the motherboard. Now add more nuts until you get aprox the same highet as a standoff. It does not have to be exact just be sure they are all the same. Now take this motherboard with all the screws and nuts and put it though the holes on the case. Use a final nut on the back side of pan on the case to hold it down.

Very tedious but it saves having to buy a new case. Make sure you very carefully clean the case of any metal shavings from drilling.

Wouldn't it be easier to put some nuts on the end of the risers so that when I screw in the motherboard screws they won't turn? And if I need to unscrew them in the future they won't turn with the screws. And I'm guessing they can't be metal?
Is it possible to get risers with a longer thread that sticks out the back so it's easier to grab them?

EDIT
I'm looking at washers and nuts now at lunch time and so far no packs that contain both. Most of them are made from zinc. Is that suitable? Or can they not be any type of metal at all?
Also what happens if I use metal washers and nuts? Or if I just use nuts and no washers? Would my motherboard short circuit?

 

[Massacher]

Good news! I was able to get my motherboard out.

I pushed the risers out with the tip of a compass. I was then able to use a set of needle nose pliers to hold each one and unscrew it.

I have taken out the risers from my old case and I'm putting them into my new case.

I have tested each one to make sure the screws go all the way in easily and they do!
So now I can continue transplanting my components!