I need to replace the rotors on the front of my 2001 Honda Accord EX W/V6 and I cannot get the small phillips head screw out that hold the rotors on. Is there a secrect to doing this? Can I drill the heads off to remove them? What purpose do they serve? Wheel will hold the rotor in place??? Thanks for the help.

 

Those screws are crap. They never should have been invented. The wheel holds the rotor on just fine. To get the screws out first squirt some penetrating fulid on them, squirt alot actually. Let it sit a while, half hour maybe. Use a hammer and tap the screwdriver into the screwhead to help seat it well. Sometimes some valve grinding compound helps give it some grip. Try unscrewing it. If no luck, you CAN drill them out. However, I'd go to a local auto parts store and buy a cheapy impact driver. Should be about 10-15 bucks. It's basically a screwdriver that turns when you smack it with a hammer. Very useful for removing these types of things. If still no luck, go ahead and drill them out. You don't need them anyway.

 

Foot
Thanks for the help. I'll try the penetrating oil first. Wife took the car so it will have to wait till later. I was going to try the impact driver, just wanted to make there wasn't a secret to removing them. I cant't imagine why they are even installed in the first place. Thanks again

 

They help hold the rotors in place on the assembly line, before the calipers are installed. Once the car's assembled, they aren't needed since the wheel lug nuts provide all the clamping force between the wheel & rotor & hub.

 

damn i remember how much of a bitch it was to replace the rotors on my teggy. I spent hours beating the shit outta those screws. alls you need is some WD-40, a hammer, a screwdriver, and some rage

 

yeah alot of rage and force

 

An impact driver might help, but there is a good chance you may have to drill them out.

 

I took a pair of channel locks and put them on my screwdriver and forced it to turn w/o stripping!!!

 

steadypimpin.. you have a lot of patience to do that my friend.. haha i just kept spraying it with wd-40 and using the hammer and impact driver method.. kept alternating til it came loose.. oh btw.. dont put them screws back on when you install the new rotors.. HAHA!!

 

actually guys that is the easiest way, really, no wd-40 needed. No patience needed either, just pure skill!!!