96 ls regular maintanence, no problem right. today i changed the oil, oil filter, spark plugs, took off the dstrb cap but heres the problem. i spent about 30 min tryin to lossen the screw to take off the rotor, the damn tread on the top of the screw is so messed up that my phillips just kept sliping right off it. instead of loosening it it just kept digging away the top of the screw. my dad told me i can take it to a shop or sumthing and they can get it off but i dont want to pay nobody for this type of stuff. do any of you guys got any ideas how to lossen the screw so i can replace the rotor? i just gave up and replaced the cap only and left the original rotor on. the rotor is still in some what decent condition with the white teeth type thing just a little yellowish. if youre asking why i want to replace it then its because i just noticed that my car was feeling slow and had starting problems and then my maintanence light came on.i just want to do the complete replacement of everything since i bought it used at 80,000 miles. after i replaced the sparks, cap, oil etc. the car seemed to perform a lot better than b4. should i just keep that rotor on? that screw is really annoying me. anyone can help me out? thanks

 

doesn't craftsman have a stripped screw removal set or something, i remember seeing it on tv before. But it would probly be cheaper to take it to a shop. Or try to get a hacksaw in there and make a line deep enough to get a flathead in there to take it off.

 

hmmm... imma try that hacksaw thing.. anything that will prevent me from shelling out cash to change the rotor. thanks dude.

 

maybe try using an impact screwdriver? I've read that it is good for removing the screws on the brake rotors, maybe it'll be useful here too.

 

Take a small drill bit(smaller than the screw not the head of the screw), drill a hole in the center of the head about 1/16" deep, find a square drive that won't fit in the hole without help. Punch it in with a hammer, back out the screw. Or you can buy an "easy out" at your local autoparts or hardware store. With this kit you drill a hole in the center of the head, but it comes with a reverse threaded screw. Screw this into the the hole you just made, because the threads are reversed, it tightens as you loosen the messed up screw. You will need a new screw either way. You can probably find a replacement at the auto or hardware store. Put some anti-seize on the threads of the new screw before you put it back in.

 

Drill out the screw.
Start with small drill bit and go to next larger bit size.
I wouldn't use impact screwdriver- you might damage shaft.

 

btw ive used that craftsman tool and it work ok but its so sharp it will eat up any really hard to get screw... best method would be an easy out.....

 

thanx guys

 

i fergot what the tool is called but its a screwdriver that you hammer. When hit it, it turns with great force.

 

impact requires some force...too much force for that delicate rotor.

If you've got a good saw, just cut a slot into the screw and use a flat head. That ought to do the trick. If you're confident with a dremel, same thing.

That's how I removed alot of mucked up phillips head screws.

 

Before I work where I am working now I was a honda tech for two years,cars use too come in the shop like this all the time.You must get a really sharp pair of needle nose plyers and grip the head of the bolt as tight as you can and try to turn it just to get it loose.It is important not to hit it with things (like a hammer) because you will bend the shaft and end up having to replace the whole distributor.