trying to pull rear rotors

I'm trying to pull rear rotors because I believe an emergency brake shoe has some issues. What's the trick to pulling the rotors without damaging them. Removed caliper, backed off emergency shoes as far as possible, Oiled around axle where rotor sits. Pounded with rubber mallet while turning. Pounded harder with a hammer and block of wood. Pounded pounded and pounded for practically 1.5 hours. Didn't budge. Am I missing something or can they truly be that stubborn?
Only thing left that I can figure is get a sledge and a new set of rotors cuz I'll need them by the time I get them off. Is there a puller I can buy to remove the rotors?

They were tough on my 02 Eddie Bauer also. Had to release the spring/connection that attaches the e-brake by the rear rotors (on each side). That along with a lot of pounding worked. I was replacing my rotors anyway so I just banged away...

Mike

Not sure if it works for the rear but I used this technique in the front- Use the bolts that hold the calipers- put them into the caliper mounting holes such that when you tighten them they push out on the rotor. work each one slowly a half turn at a time until it pops loose the rotor. They can be quite tight. Good luck