Added: 2 years ago
From: EricTheCarGuy
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  • Can't believe he had the nads to even post this video. How embarrassing, unless of course one is hoping to show how to botch these screws up.

    Ever considered a little penetrating oil?

    At least Eric's a bit entertaining, doesn't mumble, and the camera isn't flying all over the damn place.

  • @SoulDaddy33 You obviously haven't worked in automotive to know that Penetrating oil isn't the answer to everything or the "time". Work Flat rate you learn tricks and tips from other veteran techs in the shop. This is one of many ways i've seen getting these off.

  • @BvlgarigovIT

    Gee, sorry it's so obvious. I guess having my A&P license wouldn't count for much if it were to come down to working for a flat rate in a cheesy shop trying to cut corners, would it?

    Veteran techs ... ha! I can't imagine what other tricks you've learned.

  • @SoulDaddy33 You really have no idea what you're talking about. So what would "you" do if penetrating oil doesn't work out? You have a deadline at 3pm and it's 2:30pm and you still have to set up the on car brake lathe? You going to wait for the penetrating oil in hopes that it works? In the real world you will run into scenarios like this when working on more than a few cars at a time.

  • Mazda dosen't do that anymore.

    

  • you also will find the opposite of this problem....on VW Golfs MK4 there is one screw and it will came loose every time,no matter how hard you'll fasten.

  • Hey, won't the rest of the screw left inside after you break the screw head off hold the rotor on still?

  • You don't even need those screws, they are just to help by keeping break disc on the place while you put the tyre on. I never use those screws. Only causing troubles.

  • loks lie the rotor is catching on fire when he hits the screw lol

  • It just so happens I am in fact having a monumentally shitty day, but your last comment made me smile. Thanks Eric.

  • I used a manual impact and failed. To extract them I drilled them out, and used a small torx head on the impact to drive it into the screw. I pounded the TORX into the screw as far as it would go, and one popped loose all by itself. The other required more pounding.

  • lol, it was fnny where you messed up the screw's head. Well I bought and old Accord and someone try to to this, they are both messed up, but now i see the alternative to it. Thanks.

  • i like my secret weapon. 3/8" drill bit :)

  • I really hate when the bolt head is broken ....

  • hey eric, is it not safe to use some of that penetrating oil spray stuff to help loosen it ?? thanks

  • Hey Eric, thx4 the videos! On this one, how come you don't mention using a bolt penetrant to help break the bolt free CHEMICALLY? Like PB spray or other product? Thanks, Mark

  • Where you been two days ago ;(((

  • Wear safety goggles if you ever hammer another hammer. They are hardened and can crack and explode into your eye. Honestly, you should never bang two hardened materials together.

  • Another way to get the rotors of is to take a sledge hammer and break them off. There aluminum so it is pretty easy to take break them off, it will take you 8 or 12 hits. BUT be carefull not to hit the heads where the nuts that the tire goes on. Just hit directly on the rotors with good force.

  • your supposed to use an aluminium punch so that you dont damage the head

  • Maaan, i broke 2 screw drivers and a can of wd40 to rip off just one of those little snb!

  • A bit of rust breaker spray helps too. The impact screw driver and screw bit is snap on isn't it? I have the same one its really good. I remember the problems I've had like that over the years and I found the best way to avoid it is to work at a dealership on mostly new cars.

  • muy buenos videos vendiciones amigo.

  • ...flat screwdriver...

  • what i always do if i cant get them open is cut them a grinder and then turn it with a blat screwdriver bit for the ratchet

  • ERIC BEFORE TACKLING THESE SCREWS, OR ANY OTHER SCREWS THAT ARE SEIZED, I TAKE A 1000degree HEAT GUN, AND HEAT THE BOLTS/SCREWS AND TWIST. its easy and worked great.

  • I just drilled mine out, worked perfect and it was real quick

  • if they wont turn i usually burn them out

  • @ldm125 My mate always uses a big flat head screw driver. He just smashes it in on the top edge of the screw head and then just chisels it round.

  • Hey just a tip... I had the same problem on my e36 bmw. I ended up taking a Dremel tool with a cutoff wheel and carving a slot into the screw so I could use a large flat-head screwdriver. Just a thought.

  • This trick works perfect! I tried for about 2 hours to get those damn screws out and then I found this video and litterally had both of them out in under 1 minute. Thank you!!!

  • Your videos are great, but if I may give you a neat trick I learned from an old railroad mechanic, here it is. When you have a seized bolt / screw or broken off bolt, do not drill out, instead take a larger nut and wirefeed weld the inside of the nut to the broken off bolt. This will give you a hex head to put a socket on and the heat from the weld will loosen the seized bolt. Comes out everytime.

  • these screws are on for one and only reason , making it easier for workers on assembly lines at car factory so rotors wont fall off when the car is being dragged at aseembly line ,, ask a honda factory employee if you dont believe me

  • Do the screws need to be put back in ?

  • @mobes329 No they don't. They're used in the factory during production. They have no real purpose once the wheel is put back on.

  • @mobes329 no the wheel will hold them on just a pain when putting on the wheel on the bolt style lug nuts like the BMW and Audi's and Mercedes have because you have to line them up but that bolts just their for service so the rotor don't fall of when replacing pads more of a pain then they're worth tho.

  • Great suggestions! Actually used the air hammer to get the damaged side out and the impact driver to get the other side in perfect condition. Couple of bucks later and the right tools in hand - the job was easy. Thanks a ton!

  • Your a genius Eric..saved our butt on getting those screws out of our 2005 Kia Sedona's front rotors! Thanks a ton!

  • Never-seize is your best friend

  • striking hammers together can be dangerous. they break off metal chips. wear the safety glasses.

  • if the screw is a bitch i use a drill to remove head of the screw

     then i remove the disc too and i remove the rest of the screw if i cant i use the drill again...

  • note for honda and other manufacturers

    use some sort of lubricant on screws like this so that 5 to 6 years down the line we and mechanics can work on the car with out considering using it as a means of venting our frustration at it and the rest of life

    thank you

  • Hi Eric, i have a 97 ford expedition 5.4 trition V8 4x4 . i am considering on either machining the front disc rotors or replacing them due to a vibration from warped rotors. how to i remove them? whack them off with a hammer or do i have to take the whole hub an bearing apart?

  • @gmcarfreak your rotors doesnt have screws on 'em like this car in the video, they should slide off after you take the tires of course ,,, just hammer on 'em with rubber hammer if they are stuck on the studs... it should be easy as most american cars are ..

  • Well, for my part i putt WD40 on the screws before trying to removing, wait a couple of minutes and then i start to work, i don't know the quality of your impact driver, but mine have the same first same head ! and trust me, i worked on a abandonned car, she was outside for years and no problems to remove the screws, i just use a bigger hammer then yours for hit the impact driver.

  • No need for the screws. Just drill it out an leave it out.

  • @08civicSI4dr thats what i did

  • You're never supposed to hit a hammer against a hammer.

    Period.

    Good call on the anti seize though, I was planning on saying that from the start of the video but you managed to get it in at the end.

  • Good tips. Why does the car maker use phillips tipped screws? Could they use a torx or hex (allen key) screw. There has to be something better than a phillips screw as they strip so easily. But then again, you would have to delete your video if they had not used phillips screws....

  • God bless you , 3 big hits and off they came. Great Tip.

  • Use better bits i have had the same bit for a year and have not broken it yet, and all u really need is one good wack to get it of with the impact driver small hits defeat the purpose of the impact part.

  • You don't really need to put those screws back on...

  • @touge00 or u can just go to the honda place and get them for 15 cents apiece and not have to worry about it

  • @touge00 ooo yea. won't the wheel hold it on there too?

  • @JimmyFarina97 yup, exactly.

  • Good guy for putting anti seize on those new screws. Were those the stock brakes from Honda that had no anti seize on them? If it is I'm not surprised...and if it wasn't and was another mechanic who did it...I'm not surprised either...I'm guessing you live in the salt belt (or else you wouldn't have to make a video like this hahah)?

  • awesome - I hate rotor screws with the passion of a 1000 suns.

    if you dont mind me asking, why bother replacing it? i thought they were only put on at the factory to keep the rotor from falling off during assembly. In the "real world" the brake caliper and tire itself keep that thing from going anywhere. if there is some outward pressure that's going to pop those two assemblies off then you have other problems besides a lost rotor - not to mention no screw on earth will hold where lugs fail

  • Can't believe it - THIS WORKED. We wasted an hour! Too bad Pep Boys simple butts had given me the wrong rotors. Had to go to two stores to get it right; while I was there, someone was bringing back - you guessed it - THE WRONG ROTORS! The lessons: Use the ball peens and don't fool with Pep Boys!

  • how about pb blaster, hammer, hot torch, repeat?

  • I just drilled the head off of my Acura RL.

  • good tip!

  • wouldn't it suck to strip the head of that screw?

  • OR you could leave the bolts off for good and not worry again. I heard they were only put on to keep the rotors in place during assembly of the car. Lug nuts will keep the rotors in place. If i ever buy a new car from the dealer first thing i would do is remove these on my first tire change. good vid!

  • your a clown hitting two hammers together is very dangerous or any two bits on metal of equal strenght steel . p.s the hammer and punch works fine why tell someone hit two hammers together it didnt work for you either

  • watchin all your videos mate its help me alot! keep it up! from aussie

  • Great resource, I glad I stumbled upon this video; I'm having the same problem you had. Only thing is I busted all my impact driver bits and was wondering if I was doing something wrong. Ok, I got to get back to work-Thanks.

  • i dont reinstall the screws is that ok?

  • Holy hell. I. Love. You. Pin hammer trick worked in 15 seconds after 30 minutes of destroying the screw head.

  • @illegalmachine I'm happy to help, thanks for the comment.

  • @illegalmachine same here, i didnt even try to unscrew that screws. I just banged on them with hammer and it broke loose instantly. Thank you so much eric !!!

  • Do most new discs come with new screws or do you re use the ones you took out, if you havent ruined them..

    Can you use WD40 on the new screws?

  • Heating the hold down bolt up with a small torch and then using a impact driver on it works too.

  • Looks like a good way to mess up the threads on the wheel studs.

  • @CornFed500HP Especially if you forget to put in your contacts.

  • @EricTheCarGuy u wear contacts?

  • Very helpful.....the two BALL PEEN HAMMERS did the trick...two whacks, then a reg Phillips...no need for the impact. THX I siliconed greased the back of the rotor before reassembling. Didn't replace anything, just wanted to loosen and lube in preparation for when I have to replace them. I am going to get my new rotors and calipers chromed. THX again! Work was being done on my 2008 Fit

  • @tsx3214 Awesome I'm glad the video helped. Thanks for the comment.

  • @EricTheCarGuy~ hey man, get with the times!.... u just buy a can of that Loctite instant freeze spray and freeze the fastener.... the freezing breaks it free!

  • Yes thats the right way to take them of!

  • I drill them out and never put the fuckers back on

  • The screws are only there because when it comes off the assembly line they put the screws on there to hold the rotor.

  • @pHILLYYYY That is correct, thanks for the comment.

  • so...your new method still uses the impact driver???

  • @BO4TMAN Actually you don't need it, I just use it because the bit that I use it in works very well on these screws, it also saves me from breaking those bits.

  • after you get the screws out do you HAVE to put them back in?

  • @ROBERTTHETHUNERPUP No you don't. I put them in because it makes putting the brakes back together easier but that's just my preference.

  • You just saved me hours of frustration. To be honest, I didn't have much hope for this method before I tried it, but a few taps with the ball hammer, some lubricating oil, and those screws were rockin' out of there in no time! THANKS!

  • @mikebsaxy Thanks for trying it, lots of people tear up this method without even trying it.

  • make sure you have hammers that are safe to hit together.

  • what is the purpoues of thouse 2 stupid little screws than to make a macanics job harder the eniginerr should be shot

  • @stingray300m It makes installing the rest of the brake assembly much easier, if they weren't there the rotor would go all over the place.

  • @EricTheCarGuy thay go all over the place anyway when you put them on like ten million other rotors in the world the problem gets solved when you bolt the tire on but in this case thay make a macanics job harder when thay are rusted like that

  • Eric, You should not hit two hammers together like that, they are made of the same steel and could splinter, (yes i know you have protective glasses on) Hammers are made of very hard steel for the very reason they need to be harder than the material they are hitting. Just my view , Jim.

  • @Kilhamjim That's been mentioned several times and I hear where you're coming from however for as long as I've been doing this I've never had a problem, that doesn't mean I'm right however. Thanks for your input.

  • Not going to lie i tried this in the shop today and it worked out really good, i was 100% happy. thumbs up

  • @ALEX62592 Awesome, thanks for trying it, most people just rip me up for this video without even trying it.

  • I had to drill the middle out of the screw today until I was able to pound in a T25 socket Tork bit. Then I just put the ratchet in the Torx bit and screwed it out.

    My question is, what are these little A-hole screws called?

  • @JustForEmpire I've always called them 'rotor screws'.

  • Thanks for another helpful vid. Curious though. When you put the new screw back on, is it necessary to hit it with the hammer and impact driver again, like you did in the video near the end?

  • @acuna13 No not really but that's how I've always done it just to make sure that they're seated.

  • I tried all that on a 2003, c240 Benz did't work had to cut/grind the head out.

  • @hp11208 That sucks.

  • @EricTheCarGuy Yea i know sometimes this method dont really work for vehicles with rusted on rotors,but like you said either you have to grind,cut,drill to get them off.

  • Brake dust yay!

  • why would you put in new screws? they're only used for the assembly line.

  • @smileasyoudie63 That is true, I use them because it holds the rotor in place while I install the caliper and pads but you're right you don't need them.

  • bout to do this on my 91 honda with 4 door sedan rotors. they are slightly stripped

    

  • @The91efcivic It must be a V6 because the 4 cylinders use the captive rotors which are a whole different story.

  • @EricTheCarGuy no. 88-91 civic sedans are 4 cyl. along with MOST 88+ hondas.

    i have 2 screws in my rotors. but using your method it did work. i just used a fatter philips tip and made new grooves in the screw, and actually turned the screw driver with a monkey wrench haha

  • Thank you my friend and I were just trying to figure this out an hour ago. But do I need the two screws anyway?

  • @trl121986 They make it easier to install the other brake components however you don't need them as the wheel will hold it on there just fine when you fasten it down.

  • they make an hex head bolt that is WAY easier to get out...i would suggest to ppl replace the phillips with the hex/allen head rotor bolt. just my 2 cents. bolts are M8 x 1.25 x 25

  • @mp52dave Cool, thanks for the suggestion.

  • so are those 2 screws hold the rotor itself?? so if i have those 2 screws on mine, do they need to come out??

  • @kuningmuda They do if you want to remove the rotor.

  • Good tip on the double hammer blow --- it also works really well on pipe unions that are rusty but my first choice is the high speed drill bit 3/8 usually works best .Why the Factory does not put in anti-seize is beyond comprehension .Why they even use those damn screws is a better question .

    Worse problem is rotors rusted to the hub plate --- beat them to death and sometimes they seem welded on .pieces of shit imports .

    Front wheel drive is great when new -- stick with American rear wheel

  • @millwrightman99 The screws are there to make assembly of the brake components easier but you're right they can be a pain. Thanks for your comment.

  • @EricTheCarGuy Eric I know why they are there -- but just like taxation the benefits do not outweigh the pain in the arse they cause . Most American cars do not have them -- /But if they must put them on at least use a Poly screw .the rotors are a horrible location for rust accumulation -- all the salt & water screw up everything down there .

  • lol you gotta love this guy he is talking about cars and he still succeeds to put some philosophy in there you are the kind of guy i would buy a beer.

  • @carpediem1956 Where do you live I'm kinda thirsty?

  • Snap-on sells an air hammer attachment that basically looks like a bit holder with a metal handle that screws into the shank. You hold the button down maybe 2-3 seconds and the impact action breaks it loose then you can use the handle to unscrew it. Literally cuts out all the BS and time messing with them. The bits don't break as much either. In 5 years I broke one and I'm a Honda dealer tech so I use it all the time. If you use an air hammer to fix it anyway just get the tool.

  • @Northropfam That's a great tip, thanks for posting it, I'll look for that tool.

  • Thanks for the video, can I ask what method you use to get the rest of the screw out if the head comes off? Thanks in Advance

  • @swisstony123 I don't, I just leave it as I showed in this video as they are not necessary to hold the rotor on the wheel does that when you install it, the screws just make installing the other brake parts easier.

  • It is very motivating to see a professional stumble upon the wtf situations. Helps me maintain the gotta figure this out mentality.

  • @richd305 That's the reason I left that in rather than editing it out. I'm human just like anyone, I just might have a little more experience and tools when it comes to automotive related "wtf situations". Thanks for the comment.

  • Hey Eric, I´m driving a merc (a-class? dont know how you call it - the small & ugly one) All the screws on the rotors are glued in. Any tipps how i can make my life easier?

  • @s24738 You might try this as it might work. Others drill, some use the air hammer method I showed in the video. I'm sure there are other things I didn't think of either. Good luck.

  • @EricTheCarGuy wow Oo thanks for your answer!! I already tried hammering, didnt´t work so well cause this glue knows its job well :) what do you think about heating the screw with a heatgun? can I damage some parts? are there any lubricants near by?

    thanks again for your answer, didn´t expect that one ;) stay dirty!

  • @s24738 I know a heat gun won't work, I recommend the hammer and punch method.

  • Just replaced the rotors of a kia amanti a few days ago used a flat head screw driver and a hammer just like your last method and looks like the flat head gets a bit more grip then a pointy tool took about two hits and didnt broke the head. Just pointing another good way

  • @lhb131 Thanks for your input and comment.

  • I spray them with penetrating oil

  • Thank you thank you thank you!!!! I gave up trying to get these screws out, then i saw your video and tried the hammer method and it worked! Thanks!

  • @nates730 I'm very happy to hear this info helped, thanks for the comment.

  • Wooohoooo!

    Spent good part of yesterday gnashing teeth and cursing like a sailer! Broke two of my #3 screw driver tips and one of my neighbors.

    Couple whacks and it came out nice and easy. Manged to save the screws...which now reside in the rubbish bin.

    Thanks!!!

  • @GPE001 I'm happy the method worked for you, so may show resistance to trying it for some reason. Thanks for the comment.

  • holly shit.

  • when you drill it, make sure use a cutting oil, use the CRC brand, that stuff sticks to any surface vertically/ horizontally, makes drilling metals like butter

  • @wangbungal I don't use a drill for this but thanks for the input.

  • Hi Eric, thank you for your time & the videos your showing here in YT, I really learn a lot. I just want to know if you can post on how to change of timing belt for altima 2001 & odyssey 2004 in the future. Again thank you

  • @sakitlikod1 The Odyssey is covered in the Honda V6 timing belt video I did, as time goes on I hope to add more to that lineup including the Nissan.

  • Hey Eric. Just wanted to say your videos are great. You've saved me a lot of time in my projects!

    also, I was having a real shit day but this video's ending actually made the world a hell of a lot brighter. Thank you very much for that man.

    Stay dirty!

  • @SJFATS I'm happy to be of service, thanks for the comment.

  • Hi Eric, Interesting and enough help there to give us the confidence to try fixing our brakes. When I was a school boy of about 12 in woodwork class the teacher suddenly stopped his talk and shouted 'who is banging those hammers?’. All eyes turned to me and the two hammers I was beating together. He grabbed me by the sideburns and dragged me to a big poster on the wall stating ' NEVER bang hammers together - you will receive a serious eye injury'' A painful lesson but one I've never forgotten!

  • @b33zo People are pretty adamant about that but I've never had a problem with it and you should always wear safety glasses when swinging a hammer at ANYTHING not just another hammer.

  • Just ran into your videos a few eeks ago.. I love your hands on layman's approach that you use. Cool videos so far... and helpful too!

    All the best.

  • @ltsgoyanks Thanks for that comment I really appreciate it.

  • I love honda cars, but those screws are horrible.

  • @MrBDude83 Try this next time, it works.

  • To Eric the car guy. I didnt say what you are doing wouldnt work . my comment is about tools and how you use them. Smashing 2 hardened hammer faces together can result in steel splinters flying of the edges at speeds that will penetrate skin.About the welded hammer handle: the reason they are made out of wood is that when you hit the force of the blow is transferred to the job but only a minimum is sent back down the handle thereby saving your wrist from the shock.

  • @romandybala In 15 years of doing it that way I haven't seen any metal fly, that's not to say that it can't happen and your reasons for mentioning that are valid. As for the hammer, the wood broke and I didn't have the money at the time to buy another, to be honest that pipe works like a dead blow because it absorbs the vibrations much better than you might think.

  • Hey Eric. I was wondering if an impact driver and the two hammer methods don't get the screw loose, and I wanted to save the screw, would PB Blaster get the screw to loosen up?

  • @jrwilson427 I actually showed what to do in that instance in the video, you won't be able to save the screw however.

  • had the same problem on my rotors on my 90 prelude. i ended up stripping the screwhead so i drilled the head off. after i put the new rotor on, i chose not to put the screws in. i figure after you put the wheel and lugs on there's no real difference with or without the screws

  • @sushiJohni Your right you don't need them as they just help hold the rotor during caliper installation really. Thanks for the comment.

  • Eric you truly are an inspiration to many of us out here. Ignore the negative attitude expressed by some, I can honestly say that I appreciate every effort you put forth. Please keep up with the most informative car repair channel on youtube. Thank you so much. We are here, and we are watching.

  • @ManicMechanic007 Not sure why people have such a problem with this video because it's meant to save people time and effort. You know what they say however, you can lead a horse to water.....

  • You saved my ass again. Thanks Eric.

  • I have done jobs like this in the past. And over time I have learned how too fuck things up less. What you are doing is ok for someone starting out at 16 or so but bad habits should be fading by the time you reach mid twenties or so. Dont take this as a personal attack. I appreciate the effort people put in to posting on YT. I have been lucky to have seen people who have been very good at what they do .

  • @romandybala Not sure what your getting at but this is NOT a bad habit but rather a valid procedure, I've been doing this for years and it has saved me MANY broken screwdriver bits. I wouldn't knock this till you've tried it.

  • Butcher's

  • hahaha 0:54 mozdas

  • What a butcher, This is why you cant take your car to a workshop. You couldnt fuck it up any worse yourself, Pipe welded to hammer head . For bozos who havent been shown how to use hammer properly. Smashing one hammer face into another ;Oh my good .Thats like the first rule you learn. Then using a too small hammer for the job. If you need to belt something that way get a punch or a drift.This is real bush mechanics being shown here .And from the most technological country on earth.

  • @romandybala So I take it you didn't try this method?

  • Comment removed

  • @EricTheCarGuy

    romandybala, is a craftsman only type of guy. No mixed tools in his tool box.

    lmao

    Thanks for the cool tricks Eric, Watch your videos all the time. Saved 100's of dollars.

  • @EricTheCarGuy Well hes right about never ever smash two hammers together because they can shatter. And the US is faaar from the most technological country on earth :D

  • never had experience with stuck screw in rotor,but Eric style is good for me..lol

  • @TheBlazen001 If you ever do give this a try as it's worked pretty well for me for some time.