I've been reading up on brake jobs and it seems a lot of people have trouble with removing the screws that hold the rotors in place. I've also read that these screws are not necessary, that they were put there during the car's assembly to help ease the process.

If the above is true, then my question is, would it be a good idea to remove the screws the next time I have my wheels off? The last time I had my wheels off I looked at the screws and they don't look like they're rusted or anything, and I'm hoping they'll come off easy. If they're not required, I figure it'd be better to get them off now while they're still removable, versus some time in the future when they'll be rusted or seized or whatever.

Thoughts?

 

They were a major pain in the ass to remove when I had to take them out to install my big brake kit. We eventually (after a lot of work) got 3 of them out, but the 4th completely stripped. Luckily it wasn't too late and Lowes was still open so I was able to go purchase a screw extracting kit and got it out. I installed the big brakes without them and it was fine. They're really just there to hold the rotor in place when the wheel is off, with the wheel on they're not going anywhere.

However I did end up going to the dealer and buying a new set (was like $2 for the 4 of them). However this time I put on ant-seize to hopefully help in the future when I have to remove them again.

 

IMHO, don't remove them permanently.

You can buy an impact screwdriver on the cheap from anywhere like Harbor Freight or Auto Boys or Pep Zone.

It's a big heavy drift that unscrews as you whap it with a BFH.

Particularly useful for those in the snow belt.

 

I changed my rotors at a shop and they had to use like a torque wrench with a philips head to remove them.

 

Thanks for the input, everyone. I suppose that they're there for a reason, and I prefer to err on the side of caution, so I'll just leave them be.