Stuck screw on drum

[Mr.Grimsdale]

I'm trying to replace the drum brakes on my son's Peugeot 107 but I'm struggling to get the bloody drum off to start with. I've done the near-side, but I cannot shift the T30 Torx screw that secures the drum on the off-side. It's rusted on solid.

I've already snapped 3 Torx bits (2 using a ratchet and 1 using a borrowed Impact Wrench).

What's my next option? I'm running out of ideas. The car is not driveable at the moment so getting it to a garage is not an option.

Any advice will be gratefully received.

[LarJammer]

Heat it up or drill it out.

[E-bmw]

Another vote for the nuclear option, just get a drill on it, never fails.

[tommobot]

E-bmw said:

Another vote for the nuclear option, just get a drill on it, never fails.

Or even more nuclear, angle grind through and around the bolt and replace the drum on replacment..

[ARHarh]

Just drill it out and don't put a screw back in. I have done this on loads of brakes over the years drums and disks

[Hol]

I agree with the prior suggestions, but is also worth clamping some molegrips to the remainder of the bolt immediately after removal as the heat of grinding or drilling is often enough to weaken the threads grip.

[Mr.Grimsdale]

Thanks for the replies. I'll go get my drill out and report back.

[Granadier]

Good luck. I've done disc brakes a number of times but I'm not brave enough to tackle drums - too many little bits and pieces. I leave them to someone else

[Gary C]

impact screwdriver might work

but as said, it serves little purpose, so drill and forget.

[Mr.Grimsdale]

Really struggling to get this screw out. Especially as all I’ve succeeded in doing is round off the inside so it’s no longer a torx head!



My brand new drill bits are not cutting into screw. I think it’s made of the same stuff Captain America’s shield is made of! What’s my next option? Angle grinder?

[DickyC]

When I did my own car maintenance and was faced with something similar to this, I tapped at an angle on opposite sides of the head with a centre punch and a small hammer. Just work at it, patiently, and you'll probably convince it to undo.

[Jazoli]

I’d suggest getting better drill bits, a 6mm is all you need to remove the head, the screws are just relatively soft steel.

[E-bmw]

Mr.Grimsdale said:

Really struggling to get this screw out. Especially as all I’ve succeeded in doing is round off the inside so it’s no longer a torx head!



My brand new drill bits are not cutting into screw. I think it’s made of the same stuff Captain America’s shield is made of! What’s my next option? Angle grinder?

You will be making the schoolboy error of assuming that faster is better.

Drill slowly & if you start to see a reduction in the amount of swarf coming off the screw you are going too fast.

Either that or get some proper drill bits, cheap ones are just st.

[Mr.Grimsdale]

E-bmw said:

You will be making the schoolboy error of assuming that faster is better.

Drill slowly & if you start to see a reduction in the amount of swarf coming off the screw you are going too fast.

Either that or get some proper drill bits, cheap ones are just st.

My drill only has one speed. I'm using a 240V DeWalt. Do I need something different?

[GreenV8S]

Mr.Grimsdale said:

My drill only has one speed. I'm using a 240V DeWalt. Do I need something different?

The key to drilling metal is slow speed and lots of pressure. If you have too much speed / not enough pressure it will just rub, get hot and go blunt.

Get a fresh drill bit, really lean on it and just tap the trigger enough to spin the drill a few times - you'll find it starts cutting properly.

[348jeff]

Weld a bolt onto it.

The heat of doing so should release the rust bond olus you will then have something to apply a socket to to unscrew it

[Grenadier_45]

Try a set of tungsten carbide burr bits. On a Dremel if you have one, but otherwise anything that fits your drill.

[Mr.Grimsdale]

If in doubt, buy an angle grinder and nuke it!



Now I just have to replace all this!


Thanks for the advice. Wish I’d got the angle grinder at the start. Only took a couple of minutes

[ARHarh]

GreenV8S said:

The key to drilling metal is slow speed and lots of pressure. If you have too much speed / not enough pressure it will just rub, get hot and go blunt.

Get a fresh drill bit, really lean on it and just tap the trigger enough to spin the drill a few times - you'll find it starts cutting properly.

And in line with the bolt any angle and it will just get hot. But the reality is any HSS bit will have that gone in seconds.

[hengti]

Hopefully the shoes come off ok..