Hey everyone,

seems like there is a post like this every other day right? So I was tackling my brakes. I started with the driver's side rear. Got that one done without too much trouble. First time doing a brake job so it took me some time, but I got it done just fine.

Moved on the passenger's side rear. I cannot get the rotor guide screw off to save my life. The first one came off really easy. I was tricked into thinking the rest would be like that.

I hit my screwdriver with a hammer a couple times on the first one, and it came right off. Not so lucky with this second. I got an impact driver from Home depot. Not exactly sure how this is supposed to work, but it doesn't seem to do anything.

Can anyone give me some guidance on getting this thing off? It is pretty much almost all the way stripped at this point. If I can't get it, I guess just take it to a shop and ask them if they can remove just the one screw for me??? haha I would feel like an idiot doing that, but I'm not seeing a lot of options here... Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

impact driver that i got

6-Piece 1/2 in. Drive Impact Tool Set-47200T at The Home Depot

 

Hit it with a hammer. Very hard. Multiple times. If that doesn't work, get a bigger hammer.

Make sure to use the correct size bit. It's probably going to be a #3 phillips.

On other cars with a similar setup, I've also used an air impact gun to remove them..... same deal... lots of force... lean on the gun so that it doesn't slip and strip the head.

 

If its stripped drill it out.
Throw the new screws away and you wont have this problem again.

 

It's a #4 Philips. Anything smaller and it will strip. Use at least a 24oz hammer. Should only take 3-5 good hits on the impact driver and it will loosen right up.

 

Spike's right. You don't really need it. Technically, the wheel holds the rotor in place.

 

That impact driver should do fine. It's similar to the one I got at Sears. Use the #4 Philips and don't be afraid to whack the sh*t out of it. the harder the better. Worse case - drill baby drill.

 

A trick I learned was to stick the ball end of a ball peen hammer on the screw and take another hammer and wack it hard! Worked for me on my rotor. You can also get a driver head that will cut right into the screw and u can torque it out. Torch might help also. Goodluck.

 

Wow, all my suggestions have been covered. My order usually is:

- Try to remove it normally. When that doesn't work...
- Firm smacks with a 2 lb hammer (have done the ball peen trick too) to shock it/break it free and try to remove. When that doesn't work...
- Heat up the area around the screw as hot as you can (assuming most only have MAPP gas - if you actually have an oxy-acetylene torch, then don't go so far as to melt it )
- Use an impact driver to get it to move. Keep it squared up with the screw and smack it hard!

If it still won't budge, then I'd start drilling. All you have to do is get the head off the screw.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. I went back out after I posted and just kept wacking it and after about 30 minutes it came out! I think part of my problem was I only had a small hang pictures type hammer. It worked, but took a long time.

And then were those caliper mounting bolts fun! They were more stuck than the rotor guide screws!

 

Glad it worked out! Not having the right tool can cause add tons of time and pain to a project (I should know.) Pick up a ball-pein hammer that's at least 24oz. You'll be using it again.