Alright, I'm trying to replace the pads and rotors on my '90 GXL. I've changed plenty of rotors and pads before, but I'm stuck on my rear set. The screw which holds the rotor to the hub is stuck. There are two of them on each side, total of 4 stuck. Do you guys have any good ideas to get them out? I was told to heat them with a propane torch so that it breaks the rust and should loosen them, but I've stripped one on each side already. So does that mean I'll have to drill with like a carbon-fiber bit or whatever those super hard metal bits are?

 

Use an impact screwdriver: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37530. Even then, they cant take a number of hits before breaking loose.

 

Would using an impact hammer/drill with a Philips tip work~? My friend has one and would save me money doing that instead of buying a new one.

 

If you run into a problem and strip the head, just drill the heads off, remove the rotor, then the screws. You won't need to replace them as they are used to hold the rotor in place during assembly at the factory.

 

The impact hammer/drill combo will most likely strip the head, so be careful with it.. Use and impact screw driver or just heat it up with a torch use a Phillips and whack it with a hammer and try to unscrew it. It is a stubborn screw... probably makes it worse living here : )

 

+1

What I use is a large phillips bit, small socket, socket wrench, and hammer. Put the phillips bit in the screw and wack it in a few times with a hammer. This will set the bit it as well as impact potentially breaking up the corrosion. Then slide the bit into the socket, hold it tightly, and twist. A slight pop when it breaks loose, and should come off with no damage to the screw head. I have yet to mess up a screw head since I started doing it this way.

If you have a really stubborn one or have stripped the head, then you're only alternative is to do as previously suggested and drill the screw head off.

 

Oh yeah you know it, I was working on it in a 15 degree garage~ Hahah~ Hands hurt so much after a few twists when they are cold~


Alright, I'll have to give that a try for sure. When Drilling, should I rethread that hole and get screws? Or like Turbonut was saying, do the screws not even matter?

 

The screws really don't matter, the wheel will push it into place when you tighten it down, but I always try to keep everything O.E.M. Try the method I proposed.... yes it's cold, get a heater lol I was trying to work on it in this weather without a heater, i ended up getting one! : )

 

^ I might definitely have to get a propane heater like yours man~ My buddy had the same exact one that you had when we were putting on the muffler~

But anyways, thanks for all your ideas guys =) Appreciate it~