Does anyone know how to remove rotor screws without an impact driver? I've been reading old archived threads and everyone seems to use the driver method.

However, I've seen this done twice where the mechanic would tap some small piece of metal the size of a nail at a 45 degree angle to the head of the rotor screw and the screw would come loose after 2 taps. Is this like a piece of bronze or something?

 

Sounds like a half-assed way of doing it IMO. I know my rotor screws were too corroded in place to be removed by such a method. An impact driver will be the best $10 you ever spend

 

just use impact driver man.. i bought one and it worked just fine for me

 

if you strip that screw, gonna be a PIA to get it off unless you drill it out. thus you should just buy an impact screw driver and call it a day since it just make life that much easier.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BringIT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

However, I've seen this done twice where the mechanic would tap some small piece of metal the size of a nail at a 45 degree angle to the head of the rotor screw and the screw would come loose after 2 taps. Is this like a piece of bronze or something?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sounds like a punch. A good set of punches will likely cost the same if not more than a decent impact screwdriver....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RagingAngel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Sounds like a punch. A good set of punches will likely cost the same if not more than a decent impact screwdriver....

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the last matco punch I bought was more then my craftsmen impact driver.... just food for thought.

 

Punch & hammer

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DC4KiD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Punch & hammer </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I used on my girls Civic and it worked like charm

 

And after you get it off, ANTISEIZE the crap out of it to ensure easy removal for the next time. Or, you can just leave it off!

 

Impact driver and a BFH usually work for me. If not, you can upgrade to an Impact driver and a big f'n Granite rock . That has never failed me...

 

Take a screw driver thats fits the screw, put a vise grip on the end of the screwdriver. Bang the end of the screwdriver while your using the vise grip to turn it.

 

its very simple. use a punch with a tip, make a dimple on the edge of the rotor screw then use the hammer and the punch and work it around. If they are rusty it may be a little tough but works fine. an impact driver is overrated for rotor screws. most of the bits that you will get for your $10 driver will snap when the going gets tough and theres rust on the screw

 

I use a chisel instead of a punch. Same idea tho.

I'd say use the impact driver with a #3 phillips bit first, punch/chisel and hammer second, and drill it last.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BMaDOHC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">an impact driver is overrated for rotor screws. most of the bits that you will get for your $10 driver will snap when the going gets tough and theres rust on the screw</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not at all. My $10 impact driver is as good as the day I purchased it, not a single bit even chipped. I usually wail on it with a 5lb hammer to remove these Buffalo-winter-corroded-stuck-in-rusty-Autozone-rotors screws. Hell, the last time I replaced the rears it was Superbowl morning and the temps were around 20 degrees outside. You just have to seat the driver perfectly on the screw before whacking it (i.e. use the tool properly)

 

Cool.. that's what I thought. I had used an impact driver in the past that I borrowed from a friend and found it really easy to get those screws out.

I also went through the whole drilling out the screws one time and know how difficult and time consuming the job can be.

It's just after I saw 2 honda technicians use this punch method .. I though ****.. how come nobody ever posted about this method? It looked so easy. I just thought it may have been a cheaper way of removing the screws. My friend had told me his impact driver cost him $50cdn.. looked sturdy like the snap on model..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SlowReaction &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Take a screw driver thats fits the screw, put a vise grip on the end of the screwdriver. Bang the end of the screwdriver while your using the vise grip to turn it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

This works everytime! I prefer this to a punch, as you can mess up the screw if you mis on a good hit on the impact driver.

As a side, I no longer even use the rotor screws, is this a bad thing?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jvtec95 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


As a side, I no longer even use the rotor screws, is this a bad thing?</TD></TR></TABLE>

As long as your wheels are torqued properly...there shouldn't be a problem.

Hasn't anybody ever heard of copper anti-seize or something??



This stuff is a must have....I've purchased several cars over the years from back east and the bolts that I didn't snap, I've loaded with this stuff and it has paid me back a thousand fold in saving me time and frustration.....

 

Using an impact gun to remove skrews is bad.

 

Nobody here mentioned using an impact gun to remove the 'skrews'

 

1. screw driver
2. lock pliers
3. once you get screw driver positioned, attach pliers to screw drivers handle and lock it using regular pliers
4. use lock pliers to turn while applying as much pressure as needed towards screw to avoid stripping


that should give you the extra pull.. however, you could probably do the same with large wrench and screw driver socket

 

Look up a DIY i did on rotor installs. Tells you everything.

 

i drill the screws out and leave them off...wheel holds them on just fine for me.