Changing Rotors - BMW Forum

RIBEMR26 · 04-09-2005, 11:03 AM

I need some quick assistance from anyone who has changed rotors...I am in the middle of doing mine and the screw that holds on the rotor is starting to strip...I've loaded it up with WD40, but nuthin...it wont budge...its not totally stripped yet...

any ideas???

The Deuce · 04-09-2005, 11:09 AM

Um, that shouldn't be that hard ot remove.

If it's not the allen key that is supposed to be in there, it should be a phillips that requires a 3 pt head. If you're not using a big enough screwdriver you won't be able to get it out.

catalyst. · 04-09-2005, 11:23 AM

Get ready to drill it out, theyre a bitch to get out if ya strip em.. and they strip really easily.

Try getting some kind of penetrating antiseize stuff, thats your best bet.. and try to get the best leverage you can.. Also if you should try to pick up some really high quality metal hex sockets so you dont strip them cause of cheap sockets.

(its is hexhead isnt it? or am i remembering wrong?)

Gator · 04-09-2005, 12:13 PM

You need an impact screwdriver. At least I believe that's the name of the tool. It's about 6"long and has a socket head into which you insert various screwdriver bits that come in the kit. You then put the correct size Phillips bit into the screw and hit the end of the driver with a hammer. The body of this tool is spring loaded and when pushed in by the hammer blow the screwdriver bit rotates. It works like a charm. It also has a forward or reverse function by pushing in and rotating the head. They're not very expensive. About $10-20 and it's pretty much guaranteed to work if the screw head isn't to badly damaged. You might be able to borrow one from Autozone, but well worth buying just for situations like this.

Gator · 04-09-2005, 12:16 PM

Here's a link to one.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?...0&searchbtn.y=0

RIBEMR26 · 04-09-2005, 05:02 PM

its a hex bit socket...not a screw....but the impact tool might be a good idea for the future...

thanks for the help...unfortunately, I am going to have to pay for this to get done now...I am not real comfortable drilling the screw out and re-tapping it...never done that before...which sucks because this was SUCH an easy job otherwise...

such is life...you have to be prepared for anything when you do this stuff....

sto150 · 04-11-2005, 09:28 PM

this is probably a little late to help you, but I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago. I ended up drilling out the head of the hex bolt with my largest bit. It was relatively soft metal so it didn't take too long. Once the head is off, the rotor comes right off. After that, it was very easy to spin out what was left . In my case it didn't even require a wrench.

new guy · 04-11-2005, 11:44 PM

turn to the left.... if you have, drill with 1/4 bit, then use extractor.

New Guy

bryan1970 · 04-12-2005, 12:24 AM

wiat don't drill anything yet!!

there is a much simpler way to get it apart. what you do is get a big hammer like a mini sledge and you can hit the rotor from the back and the hat of the rotor will break off and you can get a pair of pliers or channel-locks on the screw. it sounds like a hack way to go about it but it has saved me a couple of times from drilling the screw out. plus it really does work. it only took a couple of good solid hits for me and the rotors popped right off. of course there will be a little bit of the hat of the rotor still on the bolt but it is a lot easier to deal with.

RIBEMR26 · 04-13-2005, 03:08 PM

this is my problem with this....everytime I go back in and try something else...I fuck the hex bolt up more and more, making a bigger job for me to pay for, because I still can't get the fucking thing out....

Which do you guys suggest (please only suggestions from people who have done this)...

1. hammering the rotor off from the back with the bolt still on (I can't imagine having enough force to break the bolt head off....)

2. Drilling just the head off....but then what if I still can't get the rest of the bolt out???

What do you guys think...??? I still hate to pay for someone to do this...and finding a place that would install my own parts was a job in itself (haven't done it yet -- just have an appointment)

CiscoKid · 04-13-2005, 09:30 PM

this happened to me. I took a dremel to it, and made a flat deep line, and then stuck a flat head screwdriver into it. Then i took a adjustible wrench, clamped it to the end of the screwdriver, and torqued it off.

RIBEMR26 · 04-14-2005, 07:07 AM

Quote:

this happened to me. I took a dremel to it, and made a flat deep line, and then stuck a flat head screwdriver into it. Then i took a adjustible wrench, clamped it to the end of the screwdriver, and torqued it off.

Thats a great idea....thanks Kid....