Impact-rated philips bit sockets

[l_bilyk]

I would like to pick up a 3/8 drive #3 philips bit that will fit a 3/8 impact wrench to remove the little screws that hold in factory rotors. Last time I used an electric dewalt impact driver with regular bits and they all just shattered. Then I tried using the bits that came with my manual impact driver on a 1/2 gun and those exploded too. Does anyone know if such a bit exists?

 

[JRGSPE73]

I'm not sure if such a bit exists - probably somewhere. A little trick for rotor screws that I've found works about 90% of the time is this - spray some PB Blaster (or WD-40) on the screw, let it sit for a few minutes, and then take a junk screwdriver and set it in the head of the screw. Tap the end of the screwdriver with a hammer a few times, and then remove the screw (preferably with a decent screwdriver). If you have a screwdriver with a hex head at the base of the handle, putting a wrench on there and turning will give you more torque. Like I said, works most of the time.

An impact could be a bit of an overkill, IMHO - the heads of those screws can strip out pretty easily, and then you've got a real headache to deal with.

 

[MAD]

I would just apply penetrating oil and use your manual impact driver since you have one. They work great for this job. If the screw does not come out easily with a hand impact driver, stepping up to the air gun for a Phillips screw is just asking for the screw or the bit to strip. The next step is to heat with a torch.

 

[Jeeper]

I removed some of an Acura TSX by using an 1/2 impact (Ingersol 231G) and a #3 phillips bit from Sears. Worked like a charm. in fact i wish I wish i would have tried it the first time instead of a regular screwdriver. Oh yeah, i also put a propane torch on it for a few minutes. I've also heard those hand impact drivers work well for removing rotors.

also a tip that i heard (didn't try it but makes since) is to put a few lugs nuts on and tighten them down to wheel torque settings to help remove the load on the screw.

 

[george4]

mcmaster.com has impact bits, search "impact drivers"

 

[l_bilyk]

I'm not sure if such a bit exists - probably somewhere. A little trick for rotor screws that I've found works about 90% of the time is this - spray some PB Blaster (or WD-40) on the screw, let it sit for a few minutes, and then take a junk screwdriver and set it in the head of the screw. Tap the end of the screwdriver with a hammer a few times, and then remove the screw (preferably with a decent screwdriver). If you have a screwdriver with a hex head at the base of the handle, putting a wrench on there and turning will give you more torque. Like I said, works most of the time.

An impact could be a bit of an overkill, IMHO - the heads of those screws can strip out pretty easily, and then you've got a real headache to deal with.

Well last time I came across one the head didn't strip out, but it broke 3 small bits, and 2 3/8 drive socket type bits. After that I only had one bit left of that size, so I approached with caution and a blow torch. Strangely enough the other side came right out without a problem

 

[arkracing]

Put the lug nuts on backwards - @ least 2 of them and torque them. Then use your impact driver.

 

[JRGSPE73]

also a tip that i heard (didn't try it but makes since) is to put a few lugs nuts on and tighten them down to wheel torque settings to help remove the load on the screw.

^I forgot to include that part in my original response - this helps a great deal as well, as it takes some of the tension off the rotor screw.

Well last time I came across one the head didn't strip out, but it broke 3 small bits, and 2 3/8 drive socket type bits. After that I only had one bit left of that size, so I approached with caution and a blow torch. Strangely enough the other side came right out without a problem

Those must either be some weak bits or some tough screws. I've stripped them out with a hand screwdriver before. And as far as the other side coming out easy, it's just "one of those things"...sometimes they come out without a fight, and other times they can be a real b*tch.

 

[kartracer55]

Impact screwdrivers. Youll probably have a hard time using an impact gun.

As JRSPGE Said, I usually tap the back of the screwdriver and they come out on 75% of hondas. The rest need an impact screwdriver. I ALWAYS!!! anti-seize these things before I put them back.

Jim

 

[Fedwrench]

My Matco dealer put one together for me. He had a 3/8 drive impact bit holder and stuck a #3 impact philips bit in it. Works great. What others have said about tapping a scredwriver with a hammer works great too.