can't loosen saddle

[adil]

I have a Squier which I'm trying to do things to (lower action, etc.) with the help of some written material -I'm still learning.
The intonation is awful on particularly one string. I was trying to fix it and I noticed I tightened it too much. Then when I wanted to loosen it (make the saddle move toward the nut), it wouldn't. No matter how much I loosened the screw it wouldn't move away. This is the same for all of the strings. I couldn't figure out from the help I had from the books whether I was doing something wrong or whether the springs on the bass are messed up.
I even tried to move it with my hand.
Maybe it would help to unstring and try to move it.
Any ideas?
a

[SherpaKahn]

I've noticed that on my basses, when you tighten the intonation screw (pulling the saddle towards the bridge), the saddle responds quickly and is pulled easily, However, when you loosen the screw, if the strings are still on the bass and at tension, it helps to push the screwdriver into the screw to push the saddle forward as you loosen the screw. Let me know how that works for you.

-Stephen

[pkr2]

Adil, if you are trying to adjust the intonation with the strings at full tension that probably is the problem.

Try loosening the string before you try to move the saddle. Retune the string after you make the adjustment. The saddle will move much easier and there is less chance of damaging the flimsy little screw.

Good luck.