mglax13

iTrader: (3)

I wanted to paint the center of my front and rear brake rotors, so I got the car up on stands, got the rear wheels off, unbolt the caliper and move it out of the way, set the parking brake so the rotor doesn't spin, and I start trying to loosed the screws. The freakin things wont budge! I threw a little penetrating oil (nuts off) on it, let it soak in, tried again, NOTHING! To make it worse, the screw driver slipped out a few times and I'm pretty sure I need to use a drill out to get it out now and replace it. The car is only 9 months old, but it has seen a northeast winter and it was pretty rusty (hence why I'm painting them). Anyone have any advice on how to get the rest of the non-stripped ones out? Should I use like a hammer drill with a phillips head bit on it? Also, when I replace them all, should I put something on it so it comes off easier in the future (like anti-seize?)

Thanks for your help!

nfnsquared

Impact screwdrive is best if you have one. This is covered in the many threads on brake replacement in the garage.

However, those screws only serve to hold the rotors on as the car is passing down the assembly line. You don't need them. Just drill them out and be done with them. No worries.

mglax13

iTrader: (3)

Ohhh, ok, very good, I will indeed drill them out then. Thanks!

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

The drill does wonders and gets the screws off with ease. Don't waste your tiem with an impact gun.

DMZ

This is one of the reasons I let a shop do my brakes. Those screws can freeze themselves into place very easily. Auto parts stores usually have them in stock for this very reason and they typically come in little packages of 4 or 8.

LoveMyTL-S

Unless your also painting the back of the rotor, why are you removing them? I painted mine with the rotors and calipers still on.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/d-106-painting-rotor-hub-diy-726854/

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Impact screwdriver.

bzyrice

iTrader: (10)

man this question comes up at least once a month..lol

Those screws do not really hold the rotors down. The lugnuts when you put your wheels on does.

The only way I have EVER been able to get those stupid screws out is to use a hammer and a chisel.. You put the chisel in one of the grooves of the screw and hammer it down to turn the screw. once you get it loose use a phillips.. I dont even bother putting those screws back on.

I have tried a drill and an impact screwdriver. Never works!

NE14RoxCJ

+1 for the drill. I used a large bit to take out the slots of the screw, then a smaller one to drill just the head off. It's hard to get a small drill bit to start because it gets stuck in the slots. But once you eliminate the slots, its easy. And, no, don't replace the screws. You'll have the same problem next time.

6spdtl-s

iTrader: (1)

just paint them on your car. I dont see why you would need to take them off. I painted mine along with my calipers with no problems or overspray issues. Getting paint on the rotor is not a problem, it will just shear off when you apply the brakes.