Taking off rear rotors

rharmon · 08-07-2008, 10:06 PM

'05 1500 HD, 4 wheel disc brakes. I took the wheels off and after feeling like I was going to snap the heads of the bolts I got the calipers off for the 1st time to check the brake pads and possibly change the rear rotors. I couldn't get the rotors off. I don't know if they're just stuck or rusted on or if there was something I wasn't seeing to get them off. Aren't they just pressure fit, held on by the wheel? I don't need to take the axle apart to get the rotors off do I? Any suggestions?

kahjdh · 08-07-2008, 11:26 PM

They are prob rusted on, unless you are going to replace them I wouldnt mess with it. If you are you just need the tool of persuasion.

gremlin96 · 08-08-2008, 08:57 AM

use a rubber mallet to unstick your rotors. do not use a hammer or the rotors will brake or bend. once you have them off use some antiseze on the rotor. use a very small amount. you do not want it on your pads. the rotor can be sanded and painted to slow down the rusting together.

outbackdragger · 08-08-2008, 10:17 AM

I had an '03 2500 HD so I'm not sure if it is set up the same. One bolt was easy to get to but the other was tough. I removed the easy one and was able to pivot the caliper to change the pads.

As far as the removal of the rotors, the 2500HD had two threaded holes (3/8" I think) where you can run two bolts in and they would push against the hub face. This was enough to push the rotor off.

Good luck.

rharmon · 08-08-2008, 03:28 PM

Thanks. I'll try your suggestions. I found out the 2 bolts on the calipers had yellow lock tite. They definately don't want them to ever come loose.

j cAT · 08-08-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rharmon

Thanks. I'll try your suggestions. I found out the 2 bolts on the calipers had yellow lock tite. They definately don't want them to ever come loose.

be sure to tighten those cal bolts really good ....the design is lacking locking pins so if the bolts don't have the medium lock tight they will fall out...I seen this before when antiseize was used...

wafrederick · 08-08-2008, 08:48 PM

A mallet will not take off a rotor and A big BFH is the only way to get them off.I have gotton them off with a BFH hitting on the hat of the rotor with no damage.The only way a rotor will beak and bend is if the vehicle has been sitting a lot.I seen this on a Ford truck about 2 weeks ago,driver's side rotor broke due to sitting a lot and not driven a lot.The whole caliper assembly w/caliper braker may have come off sometime,putting it on a vise and the caliper bolts heated up with an oxy/acetalyne torch to get them loose.It will burn up the boots and most parts stores sell the boots.

gremlin96 · 08-09-2008, 01:21 PM

the trick is to remove it with out destroying any thing. it can be done. just takes a lot of thumping with a mallet. living the the rust belt, i have done the stuck rotors way to many times. 80 % of the time, if you take your time and work at it you can save the rotors and drums. the rest of the time a bfh with a few hits and it brakes them right off.

wafrederick · 08-09-2008, 04:15 PM

I have never destroyed a rotor with a BFH,hitting on the hat on the rotor and it works.I was taught by my father,there is an easy and a hard way and the easiest way is better.Use a BFH instead of a mallet,the mallet is the harder way to get rotors off.Sometimes,a plasma cutter has to be used to get rotors off and the rotors have to be replaced.Most Newer Ford fullsize 4x4s(1997 and up) and 4x4 fullsize Dodges(2002 and up) are this way

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