I have stuck carb screws, and a 1/4 inch impact driver.
Should I go with "posi" head, or philips one?

I've actually been trying posi, but... still stuck?!

and #@$@#$ "locking pliers" arent working either. Uuuugghhh....

I heard somewhere that posi would be a slightly better option than phillips, but if one doesn't work it's unlikely the other will. For mine, I just cut a slot in the head with a hacksaw and got it out with a flathead driver.

And if you haven't already, get penetrating oil on it just in case it's junked in rather than just in there tight.

"junked in"?  Is that a technical term?

3 otheres werent. but I suppose that doesnt mean too much...

Also wondering how any oil can atually get in there, when "soft" brass screws are in there so tight. Dont they kinda act as their own washers?

rusted/oxidized/threads full of dirt/whatever... even if it's clean it's not like having a little oil in there would hurt.

I don't think it would have a problem getting under the head of the screw unless the mating faces are nearly perfectly smooth, which I don't seem to recall them being. You can get to the other side of the threads though, right?

Another old trick is to try putting valve lapping compound (or toothpaste in a pinch) into the head of the screw. The grit in it will help stop the bit from sliding out. Not a whole lot, but some.

I recommend buying some actual JIS bits.  I ordered some from this website and they work great!

http://www.rjrcooltools.com/shop_item_detail.cfm?subcat_ID=89

I ordered the "#8991 3 Piece SHORT 1/4" Hex Drive DIN 5260 (JIS-Type) Phillips Bit Set - #2, #1 & #0" for $11.00 plus shipping and it was here in 3 days.

I had the same problem with my carb screws.  It seemed impossible trying to find those JIS screwdrivers and I didn't want to wait for shipping.  I got a set of screw extractors from HD.  They cost 20 as a set of three.  Each bit has a drill side and an extractor side.  It made quick work of removing the screws.  Here is the set on Amazon.

  http://www.amazon.com/Alden-8430P-Grabit-Damaged-Extractor/dp/B000H6PM32/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1346922249&sr=8-4&keywords=alden+grabit

Philips head is the go

Phillips or pozi?....it doesnt really matter, neither fit the heads properly and you stand an equal chance of chewing the heads up with each 

On one with a pre-screwed-up head, and given that I was replacing them with socket heads anyway, I tried the slot trick with no luck.

Got it out by clamping onto the head hard with vise-grips (locking pliers if you wish to avoid brand specificity, though I find the off-brands are usually inferior).

On carb screws particularly, you might want to try a bit of carb cleaner, especially if it's looking a bit yellowish (mine certainly are not brass, so if you think it's brass, you may have a lot of varnish unless someone replaced it with brass at some point) - gas leaks can varnish them in.

The wiki describes the OEM screws as brass, so maybe its your ones that are off?
They are all a consistent brass color

On my '99, they are black and there was no indication that the carbs were ever opened before I put washers under the needles. A touch of penetrating oil and a Phillips socket on a breaker bar + extension did the job with no damage.

Interesting thought. but if they were black, still sounds like they were not official OEM, "JIS" screws. Unless you specifically saw the little dot on the side?

Quote from: ggg on September 06, 2012, 09:36:27 AM
On my '99, they are black and there was no indication that the carbs were ever opened before I put washers under the needles. A touch of penetrating oil and a Phillips socket on a breaker bar + extension did the job with no damage.

The ones on the diaphragm cover are black, but the ones in the float bowl are brass color (not sure of their actual metal composition).  The black diaphragm cover screws are typically much easier to remove than the float bowl screws.  Either way, I really recommend getting actual JIS screwdrivers or bits such as the ones I posted a link to.

I was talking about the diaphragm cover screws indeed!

Quote from: Phil B on September 06, 2012, 07:16:50 AM
The wiki describes the OEM screws as brass, so maybe its your ones that are off?
They are all a consistent brass color

They are not brass, they are plated, looks to be nickel or white zinc.

Quote from: bombsquad83 on September 05, 2012, 04:48:19 PM
I recommend buying some actual JIS bits.  I ordered some from this website and they work great!

http://www.rjrcooltools.com/shop_item_detail.cfm?subcat_ID=89

I ordered the "#8991 3 Piece SHORT 1/4" Hex Drive DIN 5260 (JIS-Type) Phillips Bit Set - #2, #1 & #0" for $11.00 plus shipping and it was here in 3 days.

Mmmm... since I'm a tool freak, I decided to go this option as well   thanks for the url

Or apply the "I don't care what it is as long as it get the job done without too much fuss" approach.

bah... i'm beginning to spend so much money on getting these stupid screws off, it would almost be cheaper to buy a NEW caburetor!

ie:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-09-Suzuki-GS500-GS500F-GS-500-Carbs-carburetor-OEM-2914-/360459802354
for $150!


but it looks a bit gross in one of the intake ports, so maybe not

Quote from: Phil B on September 08, 2012, 07:07:19 AM
bah... i'm beginning to spend so much money on getting these stupid screws off, it would almost be cheaper to buy a NEW caburetor!

ie:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-09-Suzuki-GS500-GS500F-GS-500-Carbs-carburetor-OEM-2914-/360459802354
for $150!


but it looks a bit gross in one of the intake ports, so maybe not

I can't imaging anything worse for a set of carbs.
Post a want to buy and what you want: whole set or just one side