Hey what's up? I have an '01 Civic. During my last break job I stripped the two rotor retaining screws on my front hub. What can I do to fix this with out buying a new hub? Can I use a tap and dye set to rethread them? A few people told me that they are not even necessary... a little help here. Thanks.

 

The threads themselves are stripped, or the head on the screws have been hollowed out?

If it is the threads on the hub, all you have to do is find a proper size tap and run it into the hub as straight as possible and recut the threads.

If the head on the screw is stripped, my best advice, and what worked for me, is to take a 3/8ths socket with a phillips head end. Get a 3/8's extension rod and attach it to the socket screwdriver.

Take a hammer and hammer the socket head into the screw. It is a pretty soft aluminum, so it will make new teeth in the head of the screw. Then attach a 3/8ths drive ratchet and back the screw out slowly. It should come right out.

Here is a link to my write up...

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1606805

 

Ok. I did read your discussion previously. Here is the situation. I got one of the screws out, but the threads on the hub are stripped. The head of the second screw is stripped out, so I will try the phillips #3 attached to a 3/8 drive. If that doesn't work should I just drill it out?

Once I get the second screw out is it necessary to put them back on. I talked to two brake specialist and they said that the pressure between the wheel and the hub keep the rotor securely in place. Is this true?

Thanks for the help!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by a3rospac3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok. I did read your discussion previously. Here is the situation. I got one of the screws out, but the threads on the hub are stripped. The head of the second screw is stripped out, so I will try the phillips #3 attached to a 3/8 drive. If that doesn't work should I just drill it out?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Drill a big enough hole in the screw itself for an EZ Out.



You really dont want to get into the threads on the hub with a drill bit. Once you break the tightness on the old screw, it will be easy to remove. It is just a factor of breaking it loose.

My tool of choice in something like this: A screw extractor. Different from an EZ Out. Kind of like using the phillips head socket to cut a new head.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by a3rospac3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Once I get the second screw out is it necessary to put them back on. I talked to two brake specialist and they said that the pressure between the wheel and the hub keep the rotor securely in place. Is this true? </TD></TR></TABLE>


That I am not sure of. But one thing I am sure of. Honda knows alot more about their cars than anybody else. So I am assuming they put those there for a reason.

My guess as to why they are there: To keep the rotor from wobbling on the hub while you are re-installing everything. Just a guess.

I don't really know any other reason why they are there, but that is just a guess.

 

Ok. I think I am going to attempt using a screw extractor. Are they fairly simple to use? I think that would be the best course of action.

Regarding the retaining screws importance I think you are correct. I was told that Honda utilizes the screws while assembling the vehicle because their are not wheels on the vehicle to stabilize the rotor. The screws would also keep the rotor in place during maintenance while the wheels are off the vehicle, but I don't think they are necessary. Agreed? If not, I will let you know how it does (or doesn't) work out.

Thanks again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by a3rospac3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The screws would also keep the rotor in place during maintenance while the wheels are off the vehicle, but I don't think they are necessary. Agreed? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I can totally agree, because then you could argue that the Caliper and its assembly would hold everything in place.

It is worth a shot. Never know. Good luck though bro.

 

Thanks man. Get back to you guys with the verdict. Later.

 

I'll settle this for you.. The two retaining screws are there for one reason only. They are placed there from the factory to hold the rotor on for assembly purposes only. They are not needed if end up wrecking them in the process of removal. What some of the guys end up doing is just leaving them out.

I for one always remove and install new ones when replacing rotors. Here's a tip, get an impact driver, it makes life much easier. If you don't have one or end up breaking the bit, just take a chisel and knock the screw in counterclockwise until it starts to spin freely.

Here's a little something.. When refinishing front brake rotors on Honda's, you should refinish them on the car to ensure a true surface. If resurfacing the rotor off the car, mark the rotor to the stud. Clean the rotor to rim and rotor to hub surface by sanding it down to ensure a flat surface. Make sure to remove the rust from the hub surface also..

 

Just drill it out.