Help with front rotor removal
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Help with front rotor removal
I'm replacing my front rotors on the 91 ZR1, and according to the factory manual they should just slide off once the caliper is removed. These babies are on tight, I've tried tapping them of with a plastic hammer, but to no avail. Any help would be appreciated before I get plumb western with em. Thanks in advance. 91 ZR1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Sounds like the rotors may have rusted to the lugs. Get some PB Blaster, spray the lugs and let it sit overnight. Then try to rock the rotor (top and bottom and side to side). Spray behind the rotor (where it attaches to the hub) as well.
Good luck
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Tom Piper had a really good method... if you do a search, I'm sure that you'll find it. Anyway, you basically loosen your lugs a little before you jack up your can, and then you back it up in your drivewayu a couple of times and hit the brakes. That shock will help loosen any rust buildup on the rotors/hub. If that fails, I have used a big gear puller with good success...
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Stuck front rotors are a common problem; they are a tight fit on the centering shoulder on the hub.
I used a length of 1" square steel bar and two big C-clamps to pull the rotors off my C4. I was surprised at the amount of force it took!
I would NOT attempt to hammer them off (although it will work with a large enough hammer)...it's too easy to damage wheel bearings that way.
Larry
code5coupe
I used a length of 1" square steel bar and two big C-clamps to pull the rotors off my C4. I was surprised at the amount of force it took!
I would NOT attempt to hammer them off (although it will work with a large enough hammer)...it's too easy to damage wheel bearings that way.
Larry
code5coupe
Last edited by rocco16; Apr 5, 2006 at 01:04 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Originally Posted by eschoendorff
Tom Piper had a really good method... if you do a search, I'm sure that you'll find it. Anyway, you basically loosen your lugs a little before you jack up your can, and then you back it up in your drivewayu a couple of times and hit the brakes. That shock will help loosen any rust buildup on the rotors/hub. If that fails, I have used a big gear puller with good success...
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Simply loosen all the lug nuts one turn on that wheel.
In your driveway, pull forward and back and hit the brakes hard several times.
without the clamping force of the lug nuts, the rust breaks loose easily.
Then, jack up the car and remove the parts.
Beating on the rotors can damage a wheel bearing.
Tom Piper
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
When replacing all 4 on mine, the left front was stuck like a *****! Luckily I was @ the ZFDoc's at the time and after numerous failed attempts trying to get the f'er off, Bill carefully heated it w/ a torch and BINGO...it slid right off. Like stated above, you don't want to beat on them w/ a hammer or you may damage wheel bearings. Also, when using the torch you gotta be careful not to heat up the wheel bearing...hence I said "carefully". Initially we were gonna rig a puller but Bill was like screw that, watch this! It worked...and well!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Thanks guys got em, used a two jaw puller, put some pressure on it and gently tapped the rotor with a plastic hammer. Glad the car only has 40k on it and is used mostly off road. Again thanks.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Originally Posted by vettl83
Off road is racing i.e. auto X, open road racing, road racing, etc. Not driven on public roadways i.e. "Trailer Queen." Not quite street legal. 
When I read "off road" some unpleasant thoughts came to mind...
Enjoy
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Jeff if you go "off road," in that open road racing some real unpleasant thoughts will come to mind. If your interested check it out at www.openroadracing.com or www.sorcrace.com I bet you would love it. They have a class for everybody. Later, 91 ZR1
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Well the ones in Nevada are 100 and 130 miles long, but it goes fast so wife would be ok for navigator. I just leave mine in the Casino and run solo with AC/DC blasting on the stereo. Later, 91 ZR1