E30 Zone

Just bought myself some ATE power disks from ECP. Been out trying to fit em, but the disk retaining screw (hex key) has been rounded off!!! How can I undo this without drilling? I've soaked the thing in WD40, but the thing is stuck fast...

Has it sheared off flush or is there still some stud standing proud? If standing proud you could use a stud remover - it has a left hand tapered internal thread - you screw it on anticlockwise and it bites onto the stud and unscrews it. Great little tool...

That sounds like just the tool. Shame I don't have one...

Any other ideas? I tried banging a screw driver in, but that didn't work...

It's a flush screw with a hex key fitting. Its the little screw that just holds the disk on the hub...

if you have a replacement screw and dont want the old discs then just knock the disc off with a hammer (no toffie hammer - need somthing with a bit of clout), the head should shear off the little screw then mole grips should get the remains, or as cheesebox said use a stud remover.

or option 3
drill it then use an easy out...... same idea as a stud remover but bites in the hole you need to drill rather than round the outside.

What i have done in the past is break the disk off with my hands, then use mole grips to get the little bugger out.

Andrew

Yeah, that's a good idea, but I don't have a replacement screw... do i need one there, or can I get away with putting one in at a later date??

the screw isn't really needed. it keeps everything lined up while the wheel is off. once the wheel is there it doesn nothing.

mine doesn't have any...

Just for the time being you can get away with not using one.

Andrew

Bloody bastard bollocking tight nuts!!!!!

Can't undo the big nuts that hold the calliper brackets on!!!

So this means I can't even get the discs off anyway...

bimmaman wrote:Bloody bastard bollocking tight nuts!!!!!

Turning the right way are you, since you're looking at them from the "wrong" side?

Yeah... I know I'm crap at these sort of things, but even I know which way to undo a nut . Even from the "wrong" side. I did try it the other way as well though... just to see if I could losen the things. Nothing.

I bloody hate cars sometimes.

They can be very tight, especially if they have not been removed for ages.
I normally use a socket on a long breaker bar for those.
Can use a ratchet with a piece of pipe sleeved over the end, or a ratchet and a large hammer!
But don't blame me for any broken ratchets!

Link some spanners together, might do the trick, or use a hammer on a ratchet/spanner to shock the bolt loose. Get angry and they'll budge!!!

Cheers guys. I've given up for today - need my car to go out soon, but i'm gonna get those bastards off tomorrow, if it kills me
Gonna try the old ratchet and long pry bar trick... didn't think of that earlier, and was just whacking the spanner with a hammer...

Got the disc off this morning!!

Stuck the new disc on, went to put the calliper bracket back on and it wouldn't fit!!!

I didn't realise I'd need the callipers etc off the 320, so had to put the old disc back on

Which is a bit dodgy, as after whacking it with a hammer for a good 15mins, it was a bit of a state!! Gotta wait for Dave to get back from Portugal before I can get the other brakes now. Just hope my disc isn't too fcuked...

you have a 318is? correct? in which case if I am correct in thinking that from the 318is to 325i sport all brake components are the same?

Did you push the piston back into the caliper? might be a stupid question but it would mean the caliper wouldnt fit.
also are you putting the bracket on the right way around?

No - I have a 316i... it has single brake disc, non vented. I never even thought about the fact I'd need bigger callipers!!

oh in that case you will need some calipers and brackets off either 318is, 320i, 325i go down the breakers and have some off mate must be some there.. if not I will get some from up here and send them down if you want? I cant guarentee condition though

Bob_S wrote:oh in that case you will need some calipers and brackets off either 318is, 320i, 325i

Or any touring.
If you have to remove a disc like this again, use a bigger hammer.
One blow from a hammer should be enough to break the screw.

Thanks guys... The car my engine came from has the callipers I need, but I don't have access to it until my mate gets back from holiday... It should only be a day or 2 max...

BTW, I looked everywhere for a big mallet thing, but all i could find was a hammer... I have only the most basic of tools I'm afraid...

Very large hammer IS the most basic of tools!

Brianmoooore wrote:Very large hammer IS the most basic of tools!

Fair point... I've never had to use one though, up till now...

Not much good now you've got it off but had the same problem (hex bolt shot) and used an angle grinder to cut a slot for a flat head. Very quick and don't have to resort to breaking it with a hammer. Only good if the old discs are being thrown away...