Trying to install front rotors and pads this weekend for the first time (on my Civic) and I stripped one of the screws that holds the rotor to the hub. Everything was going great up untill that!

I tried many different things......whacking it with a hammer, using a flathead.....any suggestions?

 

1. Suggestions for avoidance in the future: Use the correct screwdriver. Usually a #3 phillips. Don't try to use a #2 phillips. Hammer-blow type impact drivers work great for removing brake rotor screws. Possibly saturate with WD-40 for 15 minutes before even attempting removal.

2. Suggestions for your current situation. Carfully drill out the screw heads, remove the rotor, remove the remaining screws with a vice-grip, replace with new screws.

 

the new screws are only about 42 cents a piece at the dealer. also... if you SECURELY mount the wheel on and make sure everything is flush, you dont really need the screws to hold on the rotor. so you can go without them until you get them replaced.

 

You can pick up a set of easy-outs at any reputable hardware store (Probably even Home Depot! )

http://www.brokentap.com/easy-outs.html

 

I read your topic headline quickly and though it said "Help me, I screwed a stripper." Glad you only stripped a screw. Good luck getting that thing out.

 

this is a flat head screw. You can drill the head out, remove the rotor and turn out the screw with a pair of vise grips.

In the future, an impact driver is required to loosen these screws. And yes, they don't serve any function once the wheel is on and tight.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nin009
[B]I read your topic headline quickly and though it said "Help me, I screwed a stripper."

 

You shouldn't need to mess with Easy-Outs unless you broke the screw off flush, doesn't sound like that is the case. Just make sure that when you drill out the screw head, you leave enough of the screw shaft to get a pliers or vice grip onto.

 

What happens if you break the easy-out inside the bolt you were trying to extract? My friend has a Jeep with a broken engine mount and he managed to break off the extractor in the broken bolt inside the engine block. I think he is taking it to a mechanic now, but I would like to know a solution.

 

Thanks everyone for the help. It's actually is a phillips head, I think I will try to drill it out this weekend.

I'm confident I used the right size bit from the begining, it's just this car wasn't taken care of very well. All other screws came out just fine. I got the car dirt cheap though....I figure I can drill it out, and get another screw from a junkyard or my dealer.