I am trying to get the three screws that hold the door latch assembly off; my sister got locked in the car one day because that little spring broke. Either the car was painted with the screws in and/or they have been there for 39 years. I thought of using an impact driver to loosen them but was a bit scared. Anyone else run into this?

Tap The Screws With A Hammer First, Than Try To Unscrew, If This Does Not Work They Make A Tool That Loosens The Screws. Go To A Body Shop They Should Have One, It Looks Like A Punch That You Hit With A Hammer

Yeah, that is the tool I am talking about. When you hit it with a hammer it turns it 20 degrees.

Tap The Screws With A Hammer First, Than Try To Unscrew, If This Does Not Work They Make A Tool That Loosens The Screws. Go To A Body Shop They Should Have One, It Looks Like A Punch That You Hit With A Hammer

An impact driver!

Yup, I got one of them, from back when I worked on bike's, lotsa big phillips screws holding engine parts onto old Honda's!

One of those would make quick work of it. I think you can still get them at Sears, cheap.

I just bought a impact driver at Home Depot a few months ago. It's a cheapie.... $20 . But indispensible when you need one. Better that stripping out the heads of the screws. Working on an old Honda 250 dirt bike.

Yep, got mine at Home Depot last week. I will give it a shot today.
Thanks :beers:

try a little heat, directly on screw heads. let them cool and they will generally screw right out.

I had the same problem on a chevelle. I soaked the three screws from both sides for three days. Used an impact screw driver and finally gave up. Used a bottle torch (map gas) and the screws came right out. I was going to repaint so I didn't worry about the paint. I probably over heated the screws but they came out.

how did you get your door open

Yep, without a doubt use the impact driver. Just a hint when you put them back in put a little bit of grease under the head that will keep you from chipping the paint when you tighten the screws.

Another little tip that I learned years ago for removing phillips screws.
Put a little dab of valve grinding compound on the driver tip to help give it some bite. (Use a good tip also)
Then,
Use a speed handle so that you can lean into it while turning. This helps keep the tip in the head of the screw.