I need to replace the rotors on my '98 Civic. I know how to do the job as I've done it before, but these friggin screws are not moving for me. I've soaked them in WD40 but it's just not doing the trick. I haven't stripped them, and I'm afraid if I wrench on them anymore than I already have, I will. Is there a miracle cure for this? The screws aren't rusty at all (brass, I think), but the area around them is.

 

i put a philp head screw attachment into a 1/4 socket and use a ratchet to loosen them.
also i hit the rotor a couple of times to shock them loose. try to get the best philp head that fits in there. but if you do strip them then its no big deal just drill the heads of them off and remove rotor. you dont have to have them on there the lug nuts will tighten them on.

 

Wait!! Get this: http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/22...LS_P07422.html

It's an Hand Impact Screw Driver. It works wonders for stuck screws!

Or this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/1-2-SOFT-GRIP-IM...d=p3286.c0.m14

or this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/IMPAC...motiveQ5fTools

Or get an old school one: http://cgi.ebay.com/3-8-Justen-Impac...d=p3286.c0.m14

I prefer the Vessel and Justen Impact drivers by far! Quality! Oh, and you can get new impact bits at Sears.

 

ive used ^ those they work great also. just put it in the screw and hit the back of it with a hammer.

 

Autozone, o'Reillys, and Advance sell impact screwdrivers for $9.99.

 

or you could just heat them up and then use the screwdriver id also suggest pb blaster instead of wd-40

 

Definitely PB Blaster, or, my personal preference Kroil SiliKroil. These proper penetrants take time though, as in days. As others have said, an impact driver is essential.

 

impact driver is the best thing to use on these screws. you can still strip it but it's much less likely than just using some penetrating oil and a hand screw driver. when you replace the rotors, don't re-use the screws, you don't need them and you wont have to run into this situation again.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I beat the hell out of the screws with an impact screwdriver and they eventually came loose. Had to knock the old rotors loose with a mallet but they came off. Corroded doesn't even begin to describe it. The new ones are like butta. Awesome. Thanks again!

 

glad to see that it finally worked out for you