Okay, I've got a brake job coming up as soon as my parts arrive from Vermont. In examining the rotors on my 2000 Disco, I see that they are held on by a PoziDriv head screw. A big one. I have been so lucky to find a COUPLE of PoziDriv bits in sets, but they are all small. I need a big meaty one to get this bad boy off. The impact driver I'm looking at comes with a big, meaty Phillips head bit. For folks that have done this before, is there a real danger of stripping the screw head if I just go Phillips? I REALLY don't want to wait another week or two to get a damn screwdriver to do this job. Shoot, every auto parts store I've spoken with doesn't even have a concept of what PoziDriv is . . .

 

It's a number three pozidrive, if I remember correctly. They are prone to strip out either way. Especially if salt is used on the roads during winter. If they strip, use a chisel and 'walk' the screw out.

 

Yeah, I called the dealership out here to get an idea of what I was looking at. The service manager said that a Phillips should work just fine, so I might do that rather than spend about $10 for a #3 bit from Snap-On. I'm hoping my rotor comes with a new one.

Would you recommend a penetrant of some sort to loosen it up?

 

A hand impact driver works best. Any penetrating lube might help. Just don't let it get on the contact surfaces of the Pozi-drive. It will only work against you. Clean it off with brake clean. You can also put a dab of valve grinding compound on the tip. This will help the bit 'bite' in more. I would recommend spending the ten bucks on the posi-drive bit. They just 'bite' better. You may be able to take these screws out with your fingers, or you may have to chisel/torch them out. It all depends on the conditions to wich it was exposed.

Your new rotors most likely will not come with screws. Dealer's usually stock them. However, there are many LR's out there with no screws and the brakes work fine. Personally, I replace them. It can effect the rotor/wheel balance ever so slightly.

Do you have the 13 mm 12 point socket needed to remove the caliper bracket ?

 

I don't have that one yet, but I knew I needed it. Thanks for letting me know what size it is . . .

 

Argh. The stupid screw stripped. Soft as butter, apparently. I got the caliper bracket off eventually, although it was TIGHT (19mm as well, BTW). I resorted to an box end 12-point wrench and bottle jack to break it loose. Worked like a charm.

Anyway, the screw is stripped out from the impact driver. Just wouldn't go. How does this chisel process work? The damn thing is really tight, but I've got to get it off. Any additional advice? Thanks!