Why are fan screws so tight?

code601 · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:07

Installing a 120mm fan now that arrived today

but as with all fans I am finding getting the screws in very tough. Is their a trick to this that I am missing?

Screwing from the outside of the case with the screws supplied with fan but im really having to work hard to get the screws to go in. Can anyone offer some advice with this simple but annoying problem. Yes i am certain the fan is going in the right way so the air is blowing out

PwnDirect · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:09

There self tapping so your boring through the plastic.

NOW PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT

or you can use rubber gromets

Glaucus · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:10

get some muscle. It shouldn't be that hard. Most are supplied with self tapping screws going into plastic. So you create the thread when screwing. However it shouldn't be t hard as plastic is fairly soft. Or if you got a decent fan, use the rubber fastenings.

cmndr_andi · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:24

It may be a problem with the screwdriver. I usually use a tiny one with a thin handle and not much grip for installing PC stuff. As everything usually goes into pre-screwed holes it is usually perfect for the job and gives me good control. However, for fan screws this tool doesn;t really work, instead I use a bigger, better gripped one - then they screw in fine.

As the others have said, you may want to use these things in future. They are easy to install and help cut down vibrations.

code601 · 10 Aug 2009 at 18:00

Thanks all, will defiantly be ordering some of the rubber deals with my next order

Ghost-Reaper · 10 Aug 2009 at 20:14

I've found that as you are screwing it in, when it gets too tough unscrew half a turn then its easier to carry on. Dunno if that's a trick or anything

SH4RKY · 10 Aug 2009 at 23:56

I used string... cuts down vibrations by suspending the fans

Where i couldnt i used the supplied rubber thingies that come with the apaches/noctuas. but yeah, bigger screw driver and try harder.

xiphrex · 11 Aug 2009 at 00:17

I would dump the screws and go for noise dampening rubber thingies: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-001-AF&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=795

They are worth it for the noise dampening, but for you I guess you wouldnt need to screw anything which you seem to be having difficulty with!

Glaucus · 11 Aug 2009 at 02:37

SH4RKY said:
I used string... cuts down vibrations by suspending the fans

Doesn't that just wobble around and cause all sorts of problems.

Rubber things for the win. Keeps them away from the case. Even better is rubber mounts + rubber gaskets.

toon_mad · 11 Aug 2009 at 07:27

wish i could hang my hard drive up with string, it rattles like crazy in my case but thats because my gfx card is too long and i get put it in the correct drive bay, so its sitting loose above it

chiLLZ · 11 Aug 2009 at 07:52

I have had screws so tight that their head gets stripped from the amount of force required. totally unnessery imo :mad:

SH4RKY · 11 Aug 2009 at 08:55

AcidHell2 said:
Doesn't that just wobble around and cause all sorts of problems.

Rubber things for the win. Keeps them away from the case. Even better is rubber mounts + rubber gaskets.

Nope, not really. My fans are under 1000rpm so not that much force in them, plus i used all 8 holes to brace them in place. I agree with the rubber screwy/mounts though, they are awesome.

Oh, and only 2 are suspended with string, they are in the spare drive bays so there wasn't really any mounting points to hand.

Mal X · 11 Aug 2009 at 15:00

fans are noisy regardless, it's the blades cutting through the air...yes fan screws are far too tight.....put a drop of oil on the thread

JonJ678 · 11 Aug 2009 at 15:07

chiLLZ said:
I have had screws so tight that their head gets stripped from the amount of force required. totally unnessery imo

Not using the wrong screwdriver I trust? There's at least two types of 'cross head'

Cable ties work pretty well too, useful for when there's too much weight for the rubber pins and you cant get a screwdriver into position