Can't change brake pads because of worn screw...

[Maz]

High Speed Steel drill bit.

Go slightly larger than the allen key size and you should able to separate the head cleanly.

Ah, ok. Might beg, borrow or buy one. 3mm should do it.

 

[steve52]

dint see this till late but dropping the holder into boiling water for a min or so as ali expands faster than steel it sholud make it loser

 

[Maz]

dint see this till late but dropping the holder into boiling water for a min or so as ali expands faster than steel it sholud make it loser

Interesting and worth a try!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1

You could try cutting a slot across the head with a small hacksaw. You could then use a flat bladed screwdriver to remove it.

 

[fossyant]

TBH, I'd just but new pads and holders.

I usually remove the screws, pop some grease on them and then refit.

Had this happen on my, and it was too much a faff to mess about, and not much more expensive to get a new holder.

 

[Amanda P]

I've had this problem several times.

Depending on how firm or flexible the pads are, you may be able to jiggle the old ones out and the new ones in without removing the grub screw. It doesn't solve the long-term problem, but if you need the bike fixed pronto, it's worth a try.

I'd be a bit wary of doing without the grub screw altogether, because then there'd be nothing to stop the brake pad gradually sliding back through the shoe, assisted by vibration, and maybe falling out altogether. They' re not always a firm fit in the shoe - hence the sometimes possibility of jiggling them out without removing the grub screw.