What to do when you've just about stripped your Dist. Rotor Screw? - Honda Prelude Forum

06-16-2002, 10:45 PM

I was trying to swap mine out and I couldn't get the damn screw off. It's almost completely stripped, but I think I can get 1 or 2 more shots at it. What would you guys suggest? Take it in to a shop and see if they can do it? Try a different screwdriver than the two that I've been trying?

If it gets completely stripped, what should I do? Break off the rotor and use some vise grips?

bb6flier · 06-17-2002, 05:42 AM

I forgot is it a philips or flat head??? If it's a phillips take a small drill bit (smaller than the diameter of the screw) and drill aprox 1/32-1/16" inch into the center of the head. That should give you enough bite to use a #1 phillips. I have used this trick for years and it has yet to fail me.

Speedracer SI · 06-17-2002, 10:15 AM

If you still have one or two more tries....then i would try to get the best fitting phillips....and when u are trying to turn...push it in hard. If it becomes stripped u can try bb6flier's idea or theres a screw extractor you can buy at sears or something. The idea behind that is when u drill into the screw...it actually pulls it out.
Good luck

Jimmy

Clean Baldy · 06-17-2002, 10:21 AM

or you could dremel a new face into the screw for a flat head screw driver to fit into, so you could unscrew it again...

marcucci · 06-17-2002, 12:09 PM

Do NOT use an impact driver on the distributor! That's a good way to bend the shaft.

The key is to use the proper bit- a #1 as far as I recall is too small. Get a bit set, find the right bit, and use some downforce while removing it. There's no reason for the screw to get stuck OR for you to strip it.

If it does strip beyond hope, try a set of vise grips on the screw head. If that doesn't work you may need to drill it out.

hondaprelude88 · 06-17-2002, 12:12 PM

one word, visegrips, never fail the only true multipurpose tool

daluded · 06-17-2002, 12:13 PM

Ever try Gator-Grip? I've never tried it, but its like $20 and supposedly will work on stripped nuts. www.gator-grip.com
I'm actually going to pick one up today at target, I bent two bolts underneath the lude from scraping on the curb. Hopefully it works. I'll let you know.

06-17-2002, 12:34 PM

thanks guys ... I need to get a replacement screw before I tackle this today.

Kool-Lude · 06-17-2002, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marcucci
Do NOT use an impact driver on the distributor! That's a good way to bend the shaft.

OK, I agree... the impact driver is better suited for the brake rotor screws. But, I did use it with a "light" tap rather than "wack it" like I suggested before. It's probabley not worth the risk of bending the shaft though. My bad.

Edit: I "thought" I had used an impact driver on the distributor rotor as well as the brake rotor... but I was WRONG. I just pulled up an old thread that I posted to. For the dist. rotor, I used the proper size phillips head and just applied steady pressure to the screwdriver as I turned it. Damn my memory..I'm getting old!

06-17-2002, 04:05 PM

well .. hacked at it again today ... managed to strip the **** out of the bolt, then I tried using my dremel to fit a big ass flathead in there and after 10 min of work it was off. you don't understand how good it felt to get that thing off. I also used some liquid wrench, but I dunno if it even made it to the threads.

whew ... one less thing to worry about .... valve adjustment time.

nighttime · 06-17-2002, 08:52 PM

I hope you used antiseize on the screw when you put it back in. The same thing happened to my friend, he had to use the dremel on his as well. But when I changed my rotor, the screw came out just fine. Its very strange, we have about the same amount of miles on our Preludes, his is a 2000 though.