Stuck Rotor

[ricky914]

I had to change the one damaged rotor on the rear of my car due to a bad pitting and warping. It was incredibly easy and I replaced the rear pads at the same time.

Problem: The good rear rotor won't come off. The locking bolt or key that holds the rotor on is badly stipped then rusted over:mad. Any ideas on how to get this off?

Side note: the rotor is still good, I just wanted to do the correct thing and replace as a pair. There is no pull when breaking. I went 70ish then slammed on the brakes several times with no pull. I also tried this on turns. (Ok this was fun and on a secluded road).

Thanks for any help, like to get the rotor off of the shelf and onto my car.

[morzada]

Drill it out. If the head comes off, so be it. I've been driving my e36 for four years with only a mangled retaining screw head where I had to do the same. No issues.

[Critter7r]

With luck, you bought another rotor bolt to use after you drill out the current one, if not, it won't kill you to drive without it. If you can't drill it out, then just smack the sh!t out of it with a 3-lb sledge from the backside (don't hit anything else!) and it'll break off. Then you can use vise-grips to unscrew the remaining chunk of rotor that is attached to the bolt.

[ricky914]

Thanks,

I will pick up the bolt in the hopes I am able to free the rusted one, glad to see you can go without it though.

I have to pick up a pad sensor anyways. The dealership told me it wasn't necessary if mine hadn't gone off yet. We'll after resetting the service lights it triggered the Red BRAKE Light and Car on a lift symbol, so definitely necessary.

[aazevedo]

If you don't want to drill out the screw, you might think about using an ease-out tool. I forget the real name, but basically you drill a smaller hole down the center of the screw and pick an appropriately sized ease out bit and tap it in and try to get it to 'bite' on the inside of the hole in the bad screw. With enough penetrating oil and patience, you might be able to get the locating screw out. Good luck.

[raceyBMW]

Try soaking in PB Blaster overnight and then hit it with some heat and pound on the hub with a sledge to try and break it loose. Make sure that hex head is nice and clean so you can avoid stripping. You can also try and use those reverse screw type extractors, I have had some success with those. Otherwise like the others said, drill it out enough for the head to pop off, and then you can take the rotor off and then use vise grips to turn the screw out.

When you take the rotor off make sure the handbrake is not engaged, otherwise the rear rotors will not come off no matter what you do.