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Permalink Reply by Ken Ryan on January 13, 2026 at 2:34pm

West Marine has R&P Frearson driver bits.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Renshaw on January 13, 2026 at 4:43pm

These screws used to be bolts, and I am in the construction phase with the bolts installed, now wondering if I will have a problem if I leave them in versus replacing them. The dynamics of the changes in the kits flummoxes me and for known shortcomings that don't get circulated, resulting in problems where builders don't know better. This sucks. The screws no doubt have a lower head profile, but are also problematic to tighten as you're finding out, especially when the width of the gear channel is only about 5 or 6". I have not checked but am thinking of checking out the gear leg, enough of a precedent has been set with the notching for the gear bolts, what will a small rebate for a bolt head matter.....at least this way you can get it tight. This could be an avenue you could explore and or I can circulate my findings on this idea. Like I said, sucks to not know why the changes in the design and parts supplied.

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Permalink Reply by William Carter on Thursday

Well, after some research down the rabbit hole, the specification for these screws' drive head is a "Cross Recess Type 1".  That is a Phillips screwdriver.  The Cross Recess Type 2 is a Frearson.

I was able to drill the stripped screws out and ordered new ones.  Now the problem is torquing them properly.  I bought a quality stubby screwdriver to try and hold the head of the screw in the Gear Channel without stripping.  Now I can't get the torque wrench on the back side of the outboard ones because of the Rear Fuselage Longerons.  A bolt here would be much easier because you can put the torque wrench on the head of the bolt in the Gear Channel and an open ended wrench on the nut.

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Permalink Reply by Ken Ryan on Thursday

Maybe a crow's foot for your tor torque wrench will do the trick. You would need to adjust your torque value for the offset if you want to be precise.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Renshaw on Thursday

because of the position regarding torque wrenches you are just going to have to do it by feel. You won’t be off by too much. I have the bolts and am going to leave them there for ease of tightening, I didn’t have any of the issues the newer builders such as yourself will be having, and the gear leg supposedly clears them, plus if it doesn’t I can sculpt the leg to accommodate. I’d be asking Roger whey the change, seems to me it’s created a whole lot more pain for builders. 

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Permalink Reply by William Carter 6 hours ago

I ground down a socket and can wiggle the torque wrench on now.  I tried again yesterday but the screw head is starting to strip and the nut isn't even touching the washer yet.

Anybody know what bolts were used before the switch to the screws?

AN4-6A has the same diameter, length, and grip.

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