rotor removal 99 century

[daviddhaene]

This is a rookie question, I'm sure. Can anyone describe/show how to remove the rotors on my 99 Century? I'm not absolutely certain I need to take them off. I have 105K miles or so and I've only replaced the pads once before now. I guess I should take them off and have them turned at least, right?

[Robert Wardski]

To remove the rotor's ( I just did a week ago when replacing brake pads and new rotor's) you first must take off two assembly's. The caliper has two bolt's on the inside and the other assembly which holds the brake pads,also has two bolts on the inside which hold this on. They can be difficult to separate as the caliper piston has pressure on it against the pads and the rotor typically has a rim of rust around the outer circumference but can be pried apart. With that many miles I would replace the rotors and as long as it is apart, I would't re-use the old brake pads as old pads and new rotor's don't make sense as long as it's apart and I believe not recommended. To be able to turn the rotor's, there must be enough material left to do so and there's a minimum dimension required. Good luck!

[public]

To seperate the calipers/pads from the rotors it is very easy. You need to loosen the master cylinder cap, then use a large screwdriver or small pry bar. Place the tip in the vent holes in the rotor and apply gentle pressure. You will feel the caliper piston slowly going in. This is easiest to do if done before you remve the caliper bolts completely. Do not pry to rapidly or you will spray brake fluid out of the master cylinder. Good Luck.

[Joe Wilson]

And don't let the caliper assembly hang by the hose while you're working on it; get a piece of stiff wire instead.

[tbaxleyjr]

Originally Posted by Robert Wardski

To remove the rotor's ( I just did a week ago when replacing brake pads and new rotor's) you first must take off two assembly's. The caliper has two bolt's on the inside and the other assembly which holds the brake pads,also has two bolts on the inside which hold this on. They can be difficult to separate as the caliper piston has pressure on it against the pads and the rotor typically has a rim of rust around the outer circumference but can be pried apart. With that many miles I would replace the rotors and as long as it is apart, I would't re-use the old brake pads as old pads and new rotor's don't make sense as long as it's apart and I believe not recommended. To be able to turn the rotor's, there must be enough material left to do so and there's a minimum dimension required. Good luck!

be sure and use a high quality rotor (OEM, Bendix, etc.) Some of the low cost aftermarket rotors from some of the autoparts chains are not completely smooth and will cause a pulsation in the brake pedal

[daviddhaene]

Thanks all!
I'm still not sure about this. I don't mind taking everything off like you described, in fact I did exactly what you said and the calipers came off just fine. But, now it seems like I need to remove a huge nut on the end of the axle. Does this make sense? I certainly don't have a socket that big. Can anyone tell me what size it is? Is there any other way to get the rotor off without removing that nut? It doesn't look like it to me.

Thanks again, this site is great and all the people are so helpful. I know I'm going to get fired for reading posts all day instead of working

[wafrederick]

Hit the hat of the rotor with a hammer.It should come off with 2-3 hits with the hammer

[daviddhaene]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Hit the hat of the rotor with a hammer.It should come off with 2-3 hits with the hammer

Thank you! I'll try it. At this point, I'll try most anything that involves my hitting something with a hammer

[public]

Ditto, you do NOT need to touch the large nut. The rotors get slightly rusted into place, the hammer sould make it come right off.