Well, the phillips fitting that the mechanic was using to take of the screws that secure the rotor on the hub snapped off in it. I guess the fitting was weaker than the screw because the screw still looks fine. The only reason I decided to take it to him was because I am at school and I don't have a readily accessible garage to work in. The rotor ended up being a tad too thin to resurface, so he said I would have to come back later when the parts come in.

I didn't mind paying the $70 he quoted for the rotor resurfacing and pad replacement at first, but now since he won't be resurfacing my rotors, I don't know if it's worth it anymore since he now wants $90 for labor since the screws are seized. I was thinking of just taking whats left of the bit off and replacing the rotors with new ones myself, seeing as I don't have to have access to a resurfacing machine anymore.

What would you guys do in my shoes (keep in mind I don't have air tools)? Also, what should I do about that seized screw and the small piece of the phillips fitting that is stuck in it? He did everything that I would do, pound it with a driver to loosen it up a little then spray penetrating lubricant on it. Really, not having your own garage really bites.

 

If you can remove the bit from the screw, go buy an impact screwdriver from autozone. They aren't very expensive. One or two smacks with a hammer and you are home free. I would question you choise of mechanic if they don't know about this simple tool.
The next hurdle is removing the rotor. It takes considerable effort to remove it from the hub. If they are stock rotors, there is a tapped hole that you can thread a bolt into and force the rotor off the hub. If not, a torch and mallet will be helpful.

 

Any auto parts store can turn rotors for cheap. I think the last rotors I had turned were $8 each at Pep Boys or something like that. Murray's in Michigan used to charge $6 each.

If the screw is stuck, just drill in the center of the Phillips pattern for a while, and then use the threaded hole to pop the rotor off. It will pop the head off the screw, too, if you weren't able to drill it off completely. If you can get the rest of the screw out with Vise-Grips or someting, great. If not, it is no big deal. The screws are just there to hold the rotor in place during assembly (a convenience, nothing more). They aren't necessary and don't need to be replaced.

-Max

 

This is what I have heard as well. I will try to remove what is left of the screw bit so I don't have to deal with drilling. Do you know of anyone that runs without the screws? I know a lot of domestic cars just use the force from the lug nuts to keep the rotor on. Will not using the screws result in any sort of imbalance?

 

I don't. The screws merely make certain the rotor is held in place while the wheels are put on. Once the rotor has been on any length of time anyway it tends to stick to the spindle and so leaving the bolts out is no problem.

No issues with leaving the screws out as long as you make sure the rotor is properly seated before installing the wheel.

 

This happened to me once while using an impact driver. The bit of metal would not come out and no amount of pounding with the impact driver would free the screws, which is why the tip finally broke off. Now the bad news is that if you can't remove the tip of the screw driver from the screw you will have one hell of a time drilling it out because it is hardened steel. It took me a very long time.

 

I drilled one out and used an extractor. I wasn't convinced this would work since it was on there with enough force to strip the philips head, but it did back out. Leave them off when you re-install.

 

Walien,

Loren (the mechanic that worked on the car) says that he can remove that screw with one of his various "implements of destruction", and will do the work. He deals with this type of problem on a regular basis. Of course, if you do it yourself, you may be able to save a few bucks.

 

Screws?

I have 1 screw, and one open hole for a screw...could this throw off my balance?

 

No. It's such a small amount of weight so close to the axis that it won't matter.

 

I haven't used them for years. I didn't use them with the stock rotors after a while, and my "big brake" rotors don't have holes for them (which seems typical from the other big brake rotors I have seen).

-Max

 

I've never had any problem getting them out - I put a screwdriver attachment on the end of an impact wrench and give it the slightest tap and it comes right out.

 

Didn't work for me Mine had probably never been out and I first tried a ratchet with a screwdriver bit and when that wouldn't work I went to the impact driver. I twisted the first bit so I bought a $5 hardened one. That one broke. I had to drill the heads off the little mf'ers to get them out.

 

I stripped my screws the first time I did my brakes. I drilled them out and picked up replacements at the dealer. They are also available at Pep Boys they have a motormite (brand) section called HELP! products they stock the screws since they fit Ford/Mazda vehicles & they are cheaper than the dealer.