My "proper tool" over this past weekend was a cordless dremel with a grinding wheel

 

I wish there was a middle choice: "Yep, not required, but nice to have"

Like a few others, I like that it makes loading the pads simpler, especially if you don't have the spring metal assy on the rear anymore (forget what it's called). But I alway snug them down and then back out 1/8 turn. Holds the rotor well enough to keep the pads in and still have never had a problem removing one. And I swap street to track to street brakes for every track day - probably more than 50 rounds in the last 2.5 years.

 

I use them, but I don't have issues since I live in Arizona.
I only swap front pads for trackdays.

 

I thought we discussed this already lol

 

Do I even need to vote?

 

Your vote should be I installed them 3 years ago and I haven't been able to get them off since so I just keep using the same rotors and just put new pads in when they wear out.

 

Are they needed, no. Do I still use them, yes. They come out real easy with an impact screwdriver and a light tap with a decent sized hammer. But I remove them regularly when swapping pads/rotors from street to track setup, so they don't have much time to seize.

 

I don't have mine in. left them behind like I left Tut.

Bye Felicia

 

Amen. I had to use an impact screwdriver to get them out. Now every honda I own gets them removed ASAP.
Lugs work fine to hold the rotor.

 

When I changed rotors on my '03 this summer, I used a manual hammer impact and broke 2 tips. I ended up drilling the heads out and the rest of the screws came out by hand after I removed the rotors. I guess I'm a slow learner because I put new ones in after I bathed them in anti-seize.