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Tryna replace my rotors, the last rotor screw left to take out is the biggest bitch of them all by far. I sprayed it with WD 40 a half dozen times over a few hours, still broke my drill bits on my impact driver, tried using a chisel, punch, maybe a few other methods to get it out. Now resorting to drilling. What's the best method for getting this fcking thing off? Just drill the head off and try to remove the fragment inside with pliers? Is it even possible to use a screw extractor or grab-it bit on these things? The head of the screw is chewed up real bad so I'm thinking drilling it out is going to be my only option at this point.
Just did this thismpast weekend, I typically use an impact screwdriver but didn't have it on me so a 3/8" drill bit and just drilled off the head and pulled the rotor off. Then just used pliers to remove the rest of the screw.
Drill the head out and use your preferred method of tools to remove the remaining piece, I just used some smaller needle nose pliers on mine. The screw material is typically pretty soft and doesn't take much to strip it out, especially with the wrong bit size. Assuming the threads aren't rusted into the hub, they should come out easily after the head of the screw is removed.
I tried use an impact driver on my TL when I changed the rotors a few years ago and the fronts didn't budge, so I just drilled them out and the rears came off after a couple hits I plan on getting a pneumatic impact driver one of these days to prevent future issues.
Last edited by 05 Acura TL; 10-03-2019 at 09:52 AM.
I asked a few other people and they all said use a torch, first thing. I guess drill it is But just for clarification when you say "drill it out" do you just mean break off the head of the screw like thoiboi said? Like since it's rusted there is absolutely no way to use an extractor or grab-it type drill bit, right?
The head of the screw is gouged up a bit so I know something more serious is my only option at this point Alrighty then!
I asked a few other people and they all said use a torch, first thing. I guess drill it is But just for clarification when you say "drill it out" do you just mean break off the head of the screw like thoiboi said? Like since it's rusted there is absolutely no way to use an extractor or grab-it type drill bit, right?
The head of the screw is gouged up a bit so I know something more serious is my only option at this point Alrighty then!
It is hard to say if it is actually rusted, in my instance it wasn't rusted at all, I just couldn't break the tapered screw heads contact (friction, witchcraft, who knows?) with the rotor, after I drilled out the head of the screw the rest just unthreaded just fine. You can try using an extractor, but if you break that off in the screw you will now have to drill that out as well.
I picked a drill bit that was just smaller than the head diameter of the screw and went to town. A good drill bit and some oil to keep things going smoothly and it should chew through it pretty quick. Even if the threads are rusted to the hub, you should be able to soak those in penetration oil to help break them free or just drill those out as well. lol
Last edited by 05 Acura TL; 10-04-2019 at 08:56 AM.
The way a screw works is by using the force of the screw head against the surface that it's tightening to pull the threads closer to the screw head. Once you take away the force of the screw head by drilling it out, there's no longer a load on the threads. So, provided it's not rusted in place, there shouldn't be any issues getting it out once you drill off the head.
It is hard to say if it is actually rusted, in my instance it wasn't rusted at all, I just couldn't break the tapered screw heads contact (friction, witchcraft, who knows?) with the rotor, after I drilled out the head of the screw the rest just unthreaded just fine. You can try using an extractor, but if you break that off in the screw you will now have to drill that out as well.
I picked a drill bit that was just smaller than the head diameter of the screw and went to town. A good drill bit and some oil to keep things going smoothly and it should chew through it pretty quick. Even if the threads are rusted to the hub, you should be able to soak those in penetration oil to help break them free or just drill those out as well. lol
I'm staying with, "It cannot be stuck of it's a liquid."
Heating them before hand helps tremendously. I always get them nice and hot with a mapp torch, followed by an impact driver, and I have not had one get stuck yet.
Drilled them out over the weekend. worked like a charm To be honest I felt that was a lot easier than using an impact driver, breaking off bits, using punches and chisels, etc. New brakes feel great, too!
10-02-2019, 09:26 PM
I asked a few other people and they all said use a torch, first thing. I guess drill it is 
But just for clarification when you say "drill it out" do you just mean break off the head of the screw like thoiboi said? Like since it's rusted there is absolutely no way to use an extractor or grab-it type drill bit, right?
Alrighty then!
To be honest I felt that was a lot easier than using an impact driver, breaking off bits, using punches and chisels, etc. New brakes feel great, too!
