I use peerless wall mounts which have a 4mm allen wrench to tighten/loosen the security screws to hold the tv in place. I will be removing a tv and I am not sure which type of wall mount was used. I need to be sure I have all tools necessary to remove the tv from the mount. In addition to my 4mm allen wrench, what else could I possibly need for other brands of wall mounts in order to remove security screws or anything else that may be holding the tv in place? Thanks.

I think you must use the peerless allen wrench, if it is a "security" bracket. It has a proprietary head on it. The bolts into the wall will either be philips head or nut head.

I am only concerned with "security" type screws or devices which are actually holding the tv to the bracket and preventing someone from accidentally knocking the tv off the bracket. I'm sure it's possible some mounts have nothing and you can simply lift the tv right off the bracket. Like I said, I only use peerless, so I don't know how other brands secure the tv.

Had to pull a Pioneer Plasma of the wall a few years ago for service. It was a Peerless mount that used a five sided security screw. Looked like a allen head screw but had five sides instead the normal six that an allen head has, Peerless calls it a Penta Pin Tool. Managed to get it off without the tool but ordered it along with new screws, I think the four tools and two new screws were like ten bucks plus shipping.

I have seen brackets with plain PZ3 security bolts that needed a screwdriver 500mm long to access (fitted to a Fujitsu 55" I think). First time out, I didn't have one long enough. Only really an issue with panels 50" and above.

Do most brackets use security bolts that require a long allen wrench? I don't have a long allen wrench set. Should I purchase a set? If so, do you recommend any in particular? Thanks.

I am pretty sure Sanus uses the a 4mm allen wrench as well. In fact at CEDIA a few years ago they gave me a long allen wrench on a screwdriver handle it is perfect for reaching up after the display is set to "lock" it in.

Vantage Point uses a random angled cresent wrench on their 'one man' tilt mounts which are a pain in the a$$.

I hate supprises so I bought a 'security bit' set from MCM that covers hex,torx, and everything else for about $20. Combine that with a 12" extension and your good to go!
I don't normally buy 'cheap' tools but the bits have held up pretty well.

Exactly. The first plasma I did, I think a Fujitsu, required a simple phillips screw to be tightened, but from about 15" away. I found a set of three 24" or so long screwdrivers for something like ten dollars at Home Depot, and they have been with me since.


Back when I was still bothering to fight Omnimounts, and the instructions told you (as they still do) to place the wall piece such that you can't reach into the bolt from below with the supplied tool, I bought a ratchet set bit that would fit into that bolt and a 16" long 1/4" ratchet drive extension. This method has been invaluable. I slip the bit in from below, hold the speaker in place, and crank away.

In fact, if I had to, I could use that extension, a ratchet to 1/4" hex drive adaptor, and a phillips bit to take care of the situation I describe above.

Did the job today. It turns out the tv was a philips 42" purchased around 4 or 5 years ago, and was being held flush to the wall with a small bracket that was about 1 foot long with 2 hooks on it which hooked into the tv. That was it. Nothing else. It has been hanging for around 4 or 5 years, so I guess that little bracket is pretty strong.