rear drum brake - stuck retaining screw

[wemorgan]

I tried to service both cars rear drum brake over the w/e.

The Smart car rear drum is held in place with a Torx screw. It was on VERY tight but after a few slips I managed. Pads and drums looked OK. Good.

But on the Audi the drum is held on with a conventional phillips screw. So all I had on offer was my screwdriver. I tried, but kept on slipping.

Someone has recommended I used an impact driver. Is this suitable as I don't want to damage the wheel bearings?

I presume these screws are just meant to be on hand tight as the wheel nuts are the main fastening?

Thanks.

 

[BaldGuy]

I used an impact driver on the discs/drums in my Land Rover mechanic days back when I had hair.... always worked for me!!

 

[goldestate]

Impact driver used with reasonable force ie up to 1 1/2 lb hammer, screw well soaked with penetrating oil, heat if you have it, WD40 is not much use as penetrating oil.
If you want to get technical warm drum and freeze spray screw with tube.
Rust changes everything, from retaining screw to rivet (well it feels like one)

 

[wemorgan]

Thanks guys. I'll try again next w/e.

What really bugs me is that the car was supposedly serviced 6 weeks ago, with a specific item that the wheels were removed and brakes inspected. I discovered 1 wheel nut over torqued and a 1 wheel corroded on. Now with the drum retaining screw on too tight or corroded I doubt the service item was done at all.

 

[goldestate]

Serviced from the comfort of the "Brew Room"

 

[bennesspipers]

Impact driver, yes, or, an aerosol of 'freezing spray' from halfords

 

[matt17081]

yeah as has already been said use an impact driver on it but to be quite honest it's not the end of the world if it wont come out you can carefully drill it out as they really are not essential the screw is only there to hold the drum / disc in place when the wheel is off, the wheel studs will do exactly the same job when the wheel is on the car, if all else fails, drill out the head the off with the disc / drum and use a good grips to get the screw out after a liberal soaking in penetrating fluid (a drop of diesel is better than WD40)

 

[Druk]

I've removed really stuck screws before using a sharp centredab on the edge and chasing it round.