How to remove the screw in the R9 460 Driver

I've seen a few threads out there asking how to remove these, and decided to post how I did it. In short, there are two keys....you need heat and a pair of snap ring pliers. Make sure you have unscrewed the shaft from the head before doing this!!

First, I heated the screw using a micro-torch for between a minute and a half and 2 minutes. Since I had removed the shaft already, there are no worries about overheating the epoxy in the R9 tip. Next, I picked up a pair of snap ring pliers (pictured below). The one I used comes with several different tips of varying diameters. It also has a switch that toggles how they open or close. This cost me $22 at Home Depot.



I then used the set of tips on the snap ring pliers that most closely matched the diameter of the four holes in the R9 460 plug. Its not a perfect fit by any means, but good enough. I put one tip in one of the outer three holes and put the other tip in one of the outer slots directly opposite that hole. I then applied a little torque and the screw released.

What I found was that there is actually two pieces here. There is the screw itself, and then there is also a gold colored washer that the screw sets into. Thus, no worries about losing the screw into the head when you go to put it back in. You can also see the remnants of the Loctite that TM uses to bond the screw to the head. This is why you need the heat. If you don't heat the screw enough, you'll find that the snap ring pliers slip out of the holes (the reason for the scratches you see on the head of the screw...I tried initially with a heat gun...no good)




Lastly, I weighed the screw to see what it contributed to the overall weight. My best estimate is about 2.5 grams, as my scale does not do decimals and it was bouncing back and forth between 2 and 3 grams. With the washer, it might be closer to 3 grams.




Happy unscrewing!!!

I'd venue a guess that Taylor Made will void a warranty if they discover this has been done.

Not that it will ever apply to many folks here ..... it needs to be said.

Great post! Thanks

Why???

[quote name='TigerStrong' post='2146492' date='Dec 27 2009, 06:47 PM']Why???[/quote]


Hotmelt, foam, cotton....

Asleep, you make a great point.


As for why I did it, the reason is because I like to play a shorter driver, about 44.5". To get a reasonable swingweight/MOI, you need to add weight, and for some reason I have a hard time looking at lead tape on my clubs. I'm thinking I'm going to go the hot melt route because I like the sound on this driver already. The hole is nice sized for cotton though. Decisions, decisions...