The Right Way to Remove Honda Brake Rotor Screws

Yes, there is a right way to get those pesky Honda brake rotor screws out. Oh, and by the way, you're using the wrong screwdrivers on your car.
For those of you having trouble finding this screwdriver:
amzn.to/2zPF2gJ
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Disclosure Section:
All products shown were bought out of my own pocket, at full price. That said, StudioVRM is now an Amazon Associate, which means that we get a tiny bit of income if you buy a product using the Amazon links above. We would be very grateful if you do. It costs a surprising amount of time and money to make these videos, and every little bit helps.

[@f34dave]

What an informative video. I had never heard of JIS and as a proud owner of both a Toyota and Honda I feel like this is something a lot of people are unaware of and should know.

[@ArnoldEhahounTheMasterTropical]

I had this problem with both screw on the on rotor. Didn't matter how many times I banged on the rotor, the screw wouldn't come off. I was using a traditional Philip head screw driver and started to damage the bolt, making it harder to unscrew each time I applied force. Found this video and decided to buy this screw/impact driver. Spent 16 bucks and waited 3 days. Man, when it came, I took those bolt off with ease. It was so fast lol. Make sure to buy this tool. It's a saves you from a lot of hassle.

[@pab702]

I couldn’t find this screwdriver at my local auto parts store, so I used your Amazon link and bought one (and an 8 pack of rotor screws). Thank you for making this video. Much appreciated!

[@kriskjellquist1758]

Thank you!! Best $14 I have spent in a while. Did the front rotors and pads in 90 mins thanks to this little gem!

[@jimmysapien9961]

Kris Kjellquist just heat it up and it will come right off 👍🏻

[@brandonevans4142]

Thx to the person who owned my wife's Honda before hand and threw them away

[@brianw4brian]

They're used to hold rotor on during assembly. I think I maybe wrong.

[@fogartyfreaks17]

@@brianw4brian they do but there's no reason for them

[@johnjkizer6399]

brian willoughby you are correct , peace and God Bless

[@DaNomaly]

Oops I put mine back on lol. Guess they aren’t needed.

[@DefendTheStar]

You lucky duck

[@jumpercable20]

I was a career mechanic and I just found out about the type of screw not long ago and I also bought the correct screwdriver and it's a serious time saver.

[@Ratlins9]

This video provided valuable information as opposed to other videos on this subject that incorrectly mentions using a Phillips head to remove these screws. Thanks for making this video, also appreciated the tip about drilling the center of the screw.

[@Second_Insight]

I’ve taken out several of these screws by putting the lug nuts back on very tight thereby releasing torque on the screw, and then unscrewing it easily.

[@markusstaff3857]

This worked for me! Thank you so much for posting this technique :D

[@AndrewSilvaVlogs]

@@markusstaff3857 im retarded i drilled them out.

[@geo745don]

Wow gonna try that, thanks in advance

[@ecmjr]

Sweet! I'll try your method.

[@jimh2061]

This worked great! Thanks

[@rstachina4246]

I bought the Vessal 980P3150 off of your link. Thank you, it took care of my problem: the rear rotors on an '03 Acura RSX with 291k miles on it. It seems as though they had never been removed and therefore had about 20 years to rust-in-place. Someone else mentioned letting some WD40 soak on it for about 30 min. or so and I also tightened the bolt closest to the screw to (possibly) help remove pressure on the screw. Whether or not this last trick made any difference or not, all 4 of my rusted in screws came out after that step. Just mentioning it in case anyone else wants to try it...

[@johnblackstone5261]

Been into Honda's my whole life and never noticed this. Thank you lol

[@Jake-pq3iz]

The fact that this has its own video tells me something.

[@michaelfrank2951]

thanks a million. stumbled across this while preparing to do a brake job on my civic rescue. and another major thanks for linking the tool in the description. None of the auto shops around here know what I am talking about.

[@MuffinMan0521]

That JIS screw driver isn't really the right tool either because the screw might be rusted in there and then the tool wouldn't work. The right tool is a screw driver punch. It's a tool that comes with multiple bits (including a JIS bit) and while applying pressure in the direction you want to turn the screw, you hit the end of the tool with a mallet or hammer. This simultaneously turns the screw and ensures that the driver doesn't cam out and strip the bolt.

[@gerrymcintosh4477]

Always nice to have the right tool for the job. Thanks for introducing us to Vessel. Cheers from Canada

[@darkhelmet4279]

Do not attempt without the proper screwdriver. Just found this out a few months ago by a friend. If you're working on Japanese products it's a Must Have! Good info!

[@dexgarcia1394]

Great piece of info mate. Thanks for the excellent advice.

[@michaelovers688]

I lost my Japanese screw driver 38 years ago been looking for it ever since, so now I just use American Standard drill bit it's is a real time saver.

[@bry3]

Thank you for such a clear and informative video. Great information!

[@G5Hohn]

Pro tip: the screws do not need to be replaced. They’re only there for keeping the rotors on during manufacturing. The wheel studs offer miles more clamping than the screws.

[@bonerici]

StudioVRM you are a life saver! I didn't buy the right tool I just ground off the tip of a regular screw head and it worked like a charm, getting off a rotor on my 2001 Honda which hasn't been replaced since it left the factory without any problems. I don't know what I would have done if I had not watched this great video.

[@trucavalier]

You learn something new everyday THANKS!

[@bsuarez3455]

Now these are the gems I’ll hold forever and tell everyone and their mother 🤣 I’ve struggled with Honda bolts this just made sense perfect 🤌🏾

[@jstrick85]

Just did all four rotors on my Odyssey and the screws came out no problem. Had been on there at least 90,000 miles.

[@jamesoconnor6323]

Excellent video! There are other KZbin presenters out that don't know about the use of JIS screws and describe the difficulties of removing Phillips screws.

[@IkaikaKahoano]

Got the p3 vessel impacta because of this video to remove my 7 y/o rotors to install drilled and slotted. It didn't work. I was very disappointed. I smacked the crap out of that thing with a hammer for like 20 minutes, but the screw didn't budge, it started to strip a little and I got tired and frustrated. I sprayed some pb blaster on the screw and let it marinate for about 5 minutes. Pissed off and running out of daylight I used my makita impact gun with a p3 pozidriv bit since that's the closest to the jis head. Came right out on both sides. The vessel didn't work for me. But at least this guided me not to use a Philips head. I think the pb blaster with the pozidriv p3 is gonna be my jam for this repair. Returning the vessel to Amazon. Also there was a video that my wife found that was comparing the vessel impacta to just an impact gun with jis bit. Dino's tinkershed on youtube. Impact gun with the jis bit won. Impacta came highly touted, but didn't deliver for this type of job. If it wasn't for the impact gun I'd probably still be out there smacking the vessel with a hammer. Freaking irritating.

[@vicdhillon7723]

Wish I had seen this video this past weekend. I wasted hours on getting these piece of crap screws out with a metal punch tool/chisel after breaking a couple of screw extractor bits on them and lots of penetrating oil. Ugh! Thanks for sharing. Lesson learned.

[@AlphaOmega503]

this explains a lot, always hated those little screws when you live in a rusty state.

[@overboostn]

#3 phillips and an impact driver, works every time.

[@joehyundaitech7961]

after this video, I bought this screwdriver and keep it in my tool cart it works fantastic

[@StudioVRM]

Me too. My #2 and #3 Vessel Impactas are amongst my favorite accidental tool finds.

[@wilsonocasio8884]

I use and impact hammer from snap on and never had a problem with those, been a Honda Technician for 20 years...

[@peterdebassecourt2515]

Thanks for the tip. I bought the screwdriver and it is fantastic!

[@Bobcat1950]

Thanks for the JIS info. In the past I just ground the tip down on the standard Philips until it fit well in the screw, and used my impact drill driver. Worked every time. I learned this hack while repairing the Philips screw driver bits that wear and cam out causing striped screw heads. You can generally get two more uses from them before finally tossing them out.

[@ricardoprovan5159]

Very good and enlightening lessons!

[@gizzync1525]

When i got to the US i couldn't believe this wasn't common knowledge! motorcycle tech turned car tech. lol

[@quinn743]

You just saved me hours of frustration. I had the right bit in a little ikea set of all things - they all came right out! Thank you!

[@Spanglish-KC]

Very good information. Thank you for creating this video. And for inspiring a few good comments.

[@jptrainor]

Vessel also make a JIS bit set that can be used with a traditional manual impact driver. The manual impact driver is more powerful than an Impacta screw driver. I have both. I've had cases where the Impacta would not budge a screw bit that the impact driver with JIS bit removed first try. That case was lock latch screws.

[@manlyotool1165]

Thank you for this. I plan to be AH deep in an all 4s brake and rotor job on a Honda Pilot this weekend. I have already been victimized by this when I had to change out a door lock mechanism. What an ordeal to drill out those screws!

[@Denis-bo8ms]

These screws are used to hold the rotors in place during the assembly process. You do not have to use them again, the lug nuts hold everything together. So take them off with your fancy 14$ JIS screwdriver and toss them in the trash

[@lukeleonard3965]

Denis You are so right you don’t need those screws to hold the rotors on.

[@shakey2634]

Two weeks after you put the new rotor on, it’ll be stuck on the hub. It’s not going anywhere.

[@MrCROBosanceros]

Exactly! I would put some anti-seize lubricant on those threads.

[@dubguy1121]

Working at a Japanese car dealership there are upsides to the rotor screws not just because they hold the rotor in place through the assembly line but when you’re trying to cut rotors using an on car brake lathe they maintain the rotor in position and you don’t have to fight too much to get the brake lathe hub on. If you’re a do it your selfer you toss them cause generally you’ll replace the rotors or take them somewhere to be cut

[@danr1920]

You are correct. Had aNeon that used just a push clip. Removed it, it breaks. Not required except to keep the rotor from falling off on the assembly line. The lug nuts hold everything together.

[@TheBelcherMan]

Superb video, learned something new. Thanks mate!

[@bobdadruma]

The distributor rotor screws on Honda vehicles were of the same configuration during the 90's when cars had distributors. I used to file standard screwdrivers to get those set screws out while tuning up those vintage Honda's.

[@crocodile1313]

This guy has a relaxing voice, even though the subject matter had me mad as hell! You should look into doing some relaxing ASMR videos.

[@mariodiy4517]

This was so helpful, thanks so much!

[@B1G5L1M]

For those extra stubborn rotor screws, I use a cutoff wheel to make a notch in the screw head & then a big flathead screwdriver to remove the screw

[@mikw8597]

Makes you wonder why manufacturers don't stick to using flat head screws, even hex key slots can round off if they are seized. Those bolts are low torque yet still cause problems, it's a lack of lubricant and under engineered implementation that creates the issue in the first place. If the head of the bolt and the depth of the hex slot was deeper there would be much less of an issue getting them off.

[@ppodhajsky1]

Thanks for the awesome video. I definitely learned something new today.

[@danielploy9143]

Very educational. Thank you for sharing.

[@TeezyThaKidd]

SUPER informational. Thank you!!!

[@user-kh8uy9qp1x]

Nice video to come across before I tackle front pads/rotors on my 2018 accord, thanks for the tips!!

[@danielgibson5176]

for a backwoods Shave tree like myself, Ive been upgrade ing my tools. Glad I watched this video. I'm getting one of those drivers for our Vans! I have 2 of these vans. I have had a lot of vehicles. from hot rods to today's 2001 honda. And I feel like they are dependable. If you can afford maintence. Up keep. which ain't alot of money like some vehicle's

[@Ed_Deavors]

Say less... just order from the link in the description. But I did strip a screw so I'll be searching another video to remove that. Most likely with a drill bit Screw Out kit. Thanks for this detailed information! You're the man!

[@saccityprince]

I just bought a $10 impact driver from harbor freight to get these off. I threw the screws away as well.

[@tuanngnt]

That impact driver kit from harbor freight did not work on my Honda Pilot 2006 and I wish to own it if it works because it is so cheap with 20% Off coupon. I ended up to get the expensive one from Autozone ($13) to remove these nuts from my Honda Pilot successfully.

[@davidflooor5964]

Is it safe to keep the screw out?.

[@Motinhox]

@@davidflooor5964 Yes

[@fml5910]

The screws are there only when they assemble the vehicle at the plant.

[@adamgruverman4629]

Great information. Thank you.

[@vin605]

Thanks for sharing very informative

[@MarioSanchez-ze2wq]

I've looked at a few Neanderthal videos on screw removal. Some were painful to see. I appreciate your modern human( frontal cortex engaged) video. I have found illumination. Thank you Mr. Studio VRM.

[@bradi5050]

Good tip on drilling a relief hole on Realy stuck screws and I've never reinstall those screws on Honda either

[@RGSABloke]

Hi there, its very easy to shear off the head of a screw with an impact driver, this driver seems much better option!! Thanks for sharing, kindest regards. Joe.

[@Brian-uq6jm]

Amazing video on the matter! Wish I had watched your video before I had to drill the stripped screws.

[@tobyward6628]

TOP NOTCH PUBLIC SERVICE VIDEO!

[@greenmachine6672]

Wow you just saved so much of my time THANK YOU!

[@NYChemicalRomance]

I must be the luckiest bloke alive. All four of mine came off with an impact driver, and minimal effort. Unbelievable. Good call on the screw head though 👍

[@rxlo1062]

Excellent tips 👍

[@ronald5728]

Excellent video showing the difference between the JIS and Phillips. Other videos just said those screw are JIS but never explained or showed why. I kept wondering why the JIS is different as it looks quite similar to the Phillips. Thanks.

[@elisa7joy9]

Thank you so much for this video it makes such complete sense when looking at the screws on the rotors my first thought was that their shape wouldn't fit any Phillips head screwdriver that I have who knew the reason behind it? Well you did obviously and I appreciate you making this video

[@colinellicott9737]

Great info thx - one additional tip: add a touch of valve grinding compound to the tip to increase friction and reduce slippage.

[@shishuali4821]

Fantastic information thank you

[@kevins.3573]

I have a set of vessel "Philips" screw bits. I use the #3 bit in a generic hex bit holder that's 1/4" drive. I attach that to two adapters up to 1/2" drive, and stick the whole assembly onto a impact gun. Works excellent.

[@starastronomer]

Very informative video!

[@TheZooBrooksAB]

This is the problem I have with KZbin car repair videos. None of the videos I watched regarding Honda rotor replacement even mentions this. So, not only have I created a mistrust in repair videos, I have to continually scour videos to find missing information, like this. I could be spending my entire day seeking unknown-if-neccesssry information instead on using KZbin as a simple and efficient resource.

[@grantheathman]

Spot on those SOB screws on Honda. Tool worked perfect just have to beat on it! THANK YOU!!!

[@iangregoryhome]

Well presented video, so many You Tubers get this wrong and I wish I knew this when I was younger, all the times I cut a slot into these screws to remove them and end up having to buy new ones 🥴

[@larrymunninghoff6746]

Would you recommend the Vessel driver with the head that rotates 12 degrees when you hit it with a hammer? Or does the one in your description also rotate?

[@davidwhittaker9511]

Been Struggling with Phillips screws on Honda's all my life. Thank You for this video, The Right Tool for the Right Job! I usually ended up using my impact driver bit tool set to remove the seized phillips screws. I thought that it was just an under engineered design or mismatch of the screw head design and the screw driver design. Thank You Thank You Thank You!

[@martinaleman7982]

Good video. Good to know about the different driver and head. Don't worry about the negative comments.

[@808staticyota9]

You sir! Saved me a big headache Thank you!

[@whatdadogdoin7531]

Immediately got myself a couple of these from Amazon for my 7th gen Accord. Also it baffles me that most of the automotive channels I follow on KZbin don't seem to know about this special screwdriver. I won't spill names but some of the channels with huge following also don't seem to endorse it. It's all the same soak it on PB blaster, whack it a few times with an impact and the drill method

[@pedrorivera1892]

Thank you for the video!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Great video 👍🏻

[@brianwill4744]

Thanks man, I’ve had Hondas/Acuras for decades and I didn’t know that.

[@aztecred92]

Thanks! Awesome video.

[@leealtmansr.3811]

A very good video, thank you. Most people don't know about JIS.

[@travisa2563]

He clearly doesn't live in the rust belt

[@ChrisMosesBrownMind]

Lol where’s the rust belt? It sounds like where bad mechanics go when they die.

[@colbalt95]

@@ChrisMosesBrownMind basically anywhere in the Upper Midwest especially Michigan where the salt is so bad the only thing that keeps some people from having a Flintstone car is the placemat

[@ChrisMosesBrownMind]

Bacardi Jr. 🤣🤣🤣

[@ChrisMosesBrownMind]

Bacardi Jr. Thanks! Never too old to learn!

[@fast68chevy]

@Semper Fi all the pickups 1980s up have toasted missing floorboards alot. in the real rust belt here..

[@eddy2561]

Outstanding video! Where were you 20 years ago when being the dumb hick I'd use a Phillips to remove JIS screws...Lot'sa cursing and drilling. Thanks again. FYI, I use my small impact screwdriver and since then I also never round a screw head anymore! Cheers

[@johnh9200]

I wish that I had watched this before almost "screwing over" my screws which almost reduced me to tears. One of the simplest Brakes jobs to do ever turned into over an hour long fight with two .60 screws. The right tools and some heavy hitting and pop, they both shifted easily. It's no wonder those particular screws got a dedicated KZbin Video.

[@RB-zn2xu]

You need to put the lug nuts back on and tighten them before attempting screw removal. Tighten lug bolts or lug nuts to clamp the rotor and hub together. This decreases any preload on the screw making it much easier to remove.

[@SoutherRebelDoUFunDu]

put lug nuts on tighten without the tire on?

[@RB-zn2xu]

@@SoutherRebelDoUFunDu Yes, Clamp brake rotor tightly to hub using lug nuts to remove tension clamping load from retaining screw.

[@SoutherRebelDoUFunDu]

Hell yea, Worth the try, thanks for sharing. Makes sense too

[@neil3858]

The lug nuts bottom out before any contact will be made to the rotor….

[@RB-zn2xu]

@@neil3858excellent question: This can happen if studs not threaded all the way or if using lug bolts instead of lug nuts. Just find appropriate material to use as spacer to be able to generate clamping force from the existing lug/stud system. Stack of washers? cut a couple pieces of small pipe? Have any closed end wrenches laying around, hang them over the stud like washers. You may only need to clamp/tighten lugs on each side of retaining screw. I always have various open ended lugnuts available or grinder end off old one. edit: only tighten lugs either side of retainer screw. If still bound up, remove and tighten lug ONLY exactly opposite screw and tap lightly with hammer, then loosen and only tighten lugs either side screw again. The metal flexes and you can stretch and then release the "preload" tension binding on the screw surfaces. Also, when reinstalling screw, LIGHTLY tighten lugs either side of screw, lightly tighten screw, remove lugs and bingo, perfectly tight set retainer screw.

[@Kgio-2112]

Another trick we used at the dealership: moderate taps on the screwhead with a punch with loosen the rust on the threads and then unscrew.

[@PeterEndelt]

Super info. Thanks 👍

[@PotatoeChipz]

I've been successful getting these out with the [correct] tiny screwdriver bit attached to a socket wrench. Just make sure to hammer the bit into the screw beforehand and torque slowly with pressure applied to the rear head of the wrench.

[@tonyzunigajr5329]

Thx for the info!!

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Factory is only putting one screw on now instead of two. Though not to make it easier for you, but because it will save 5 cents per car.

[@geraldwayne6261]

Yep GM puts in 1, I take 1 out and throw it away!

[@tousshong9438]

Shit, no wonder there's two slot for the screws but there's only one screw fasten to the rotors. And no one told us people after you do the first rotor don't ever replace them again. Great news to me...

[@69A12SuperBee]

That makes Honda’s only worth $.05 now.

[@ghost-4230]

Can't you just not use the screws

[@tenhundredkills]

@@ghost-4230 You don't need the screws. They're only there to make it easier for the manufacturer to put on brake rotors during assembly. I had one that was so rusted that I had no choice but to drill it out and throw it away. Never needed them since when replacing brakes.

[@chuckalucktoo5492]

I can tell you one thing. I bought a JIS screwdriver and it worked like a charm. It wasn't Vessel. It was a Yarise screwdriver off of Amazon. Probably the best place to get these types of screwdrivers.

[@jongkeunlee]

Great tip. Never knew before.

[@boanergesbezerra166]

very informative thanks, i couldnt remove my rotor, knew something was not right. thanks a lot.

[@tuzyzx]

I usually use a Dremel tool to cut a slit into the head and then use a flathead screwdriver instead. And yes, never put them back in.

[@CurrentGenGamesWithNick]

This video is great thank you so much

[@johnminogue8055]

Thank you it’s all about learning. I realized something was different there. I am talking about my own vehicle, I did not know what it was. So I drilled them out. LoL. I am getting myself a set of these drivers now.

[@whatsnext8488]

Another way to do it which always works for me is to take a can of air duster. Flip it upside down so the liquid gas comes out. Try to get it nice and cold so it shrinks. Comes right out 9 out of 10 times without hesitation.

[@apacalyptic1freelancevideo823]

SWEET . GOD BLESS YOU.

[@yihengli4008]

YOU ARE A HERO!

[@K24z7]

everybody is talking about how their way works, stfu already 😂 yeah we know. He’s just trying to put us on game. fire video thank you

[@undead66six]

did my front brakes yesterday, i borrowed one of those from a friend as i didnt have a #3 screwdriver/bit.. i had to buy bits before using, attempted using #3 bit on ratchet - worked fine.

[@brackcycle9056]

Good info about JIS & the small drilling .. question : " shouldn't reuse the drilled screw" . is the screw important ? once the wheel is bolted on that holds the rotor. perhaps for balance ? Seen some cars where they are missing.