bet the wheel bearings are scrap now too.
rear rotor problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
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From: Sylmar CA
rear rotor problem
I want to take off my rear rotors to check and adjust my parking brake and change the wheel bearings. Problem is that I can't get the rotor off. I saw an article by zip on how to do it. I drilled out the 5 rivet heads. I just didn't have a punch thats big enough for this application. Anyone know any other way I can get the rotor off to get access to the parking brake?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
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From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
I want to take off my rear rotors to check and adjust my parking brake and change the wheel bearings. Problem is that I can't get the rotor off. I saw an article by zip on how to do it. I drilled out the 5 rivet heads. I just didn't have a punch thats big enough for this application. Anyone know any other way I can get the rotor off to get access to the parking brake?
If you drilled/chisled off the tops of the rivets, the next step is to bring to bear vigorously with a BFH in such a way as to coerce its release.
That should do it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Mount Sinai New York
Just went through it this past weekend. BFH only worked on one side. i then took a 18" piece of 2x4, cut it into a pair of wedges, drove the wedge down between the caliper mount and rotor. Tapped the studs a few times with a dead blow hammer and off she came. Hid the other wedge from my wife to prevent her from driving it through my heart. (She just found out I ordered a COMPLETE new interior,carpets,dash, seats, door panels etc.) If I stop posting suddenly, it was her!,it was her!
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
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Did you try backing off the parking brake adjuster and spraying some penetrating oil on the rivet holes around the center of the rotor?
That might help.
That might help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
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From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
Apply leverge with a big prybar while beating with the BFH. Replacement rotors are cheap, much cheaper than your time here. Good luck and let us know how it oges
Melting Slicks
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Sylmar CA
I was working all weekend. Couldn't get to work on the car till now. But good news! Finally got them off. Everyday this weekend I would spray some wd-40 around the rotors. Today with light hammer tapping and pulling on the rotor they came right off. I wish it would've been this easy from the start lol now I'm trying to get at the wheel bearings. My parking brake had a lot of broken parts. Parts that look like they broke a long time ago.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Sylmar CA
For the rear wheel bearings and things related, would you guys recommend just trying a DIY job here or sending the entire assembly out to be rebuilt? I've been getting different opinions from family and friends but I want to hear from the guys who have been through this and have experience with all this.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Just went through it this past weekend. BFH only worked on one side. i then took a 18" piece of 2x4, cut it into a pair of wedges, drove the wedge down between the caliper mount and rotor. Tapped the studs a few times with a dead blow hammer and off she came. Hid the other wedge from my wife to prevent her from driving it through my heart. (She just found out I ordered a COMPLETE new interior,carpets,dash, seats, door panels etc.) If I stop posting suddenly, it was her!,it was her!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
For the rear wheel bearings and things related, would you guys recommend just trying a DIY job here or sending the entire assembly out to be rebuilt? I've been getting different opinions from family and friends but I want to hear from the guys who have been through this and have experience with all this.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
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From: Sylmar CA
On a scale of 1-10 how difficult would you rate it? 10 being like near impossible.
And what do you mean by special tools? I might be able to borrow some from my uncle depending on what I'd need.
And what do you mean by special tools? I might be able to borrow some from my uncle depending on what I'd need.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Anderson SC
And a hydraulic press too.
Trust me, send them out.
On a scale of 1-10, they are an 8-9 - really.
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; May 16, 2012 at 08:00 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
with the above comments.Even if you are skilled , the first time will be tough and you take the chance of damaging something costly. If you want to learn,that's fine then rent buy or rent the tools and we can direct you to instructions but if you just want the job done and done right then you will be money ahead to send them to a good re-builder.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
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From: Sylmar CA
I'm thinking of sending them out instead. I was looking through that thread you showed me roger. It actually looks like something I'd like to learn. But something I don't want to make a mistake on and damage something costly. I'll take the advice and send them out. You guys have any recommendations on where I should send em to? I was looking at Vansteel but I'm open to any suggestions. I want this done right at the best possible price.
