Rotor Swap
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 443
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From: Wichita KS
Rotor Swap
Can anybody tell me how hard it is to change your own rotors! I am shocked at the labor costs and want to try to accomplish this task on my own. Also, if anyone has detailed directions please provide write up or link!
Thnanks again!
Thnanks again!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Originally Posted by jrose7004
Pretty easy really! Just get a brake over as the rears are harder to get off than the fronts!
Jrose
Thanks for your response. What exactly is a brake over! I am mechnically inclines but a novice to brake talk!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
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From: Manassas VA
I was in the same boat as yourself, and with the wonderful support from this forum, I was able to achieve the upgrade with great results.
I can tell you, you're gonna need a couple days, a small but important tool list, jack stands or a lift, and plenty of patience to complete this.
The "breaker bar" is what J Rose is referring to. It gives you better leverage to "break" the bolts loose on the calipers.
If you've got a fax machine handy, I can send you the step-by-step instructions I got from Patches... of course, if he chimes in, you won't need my fax, as he emailed me the instructions.
Let me know!
I can tell you, you're gonna need a couple days, a small but important tool list, jack stands or a lift, and plenty of patience to complete this.
The "breaker bar" is what J Rose is referring to. It gives you better leverage to "break" the bolts loose on the calipers.
If you've got a fax machine handy, I can send you the step-by-step instructions I got from Patches... of course, if he chimes in, you won't need my fax, as he emailed me the instructions.
Let me know!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1
From: right here right now
CI 5-6-8-9-11 Veteran
Originally Posted by wit2pz
I can tell you, you're gonna need a couple days, a small but important tool list, jack stands or a lift, and plenty of patience to complete this.
:
All you have to do is jack the car up, remove the wheel, remove the 2 bolts that hold the brake bracket to the knuckle (that's where the breaker bar comes into play), move the caliper out of the way (use soemthing to tie it to the control arm so it doesn't fall), slide the rotor off, put the new rotor on, place the caliper back on and torque it about 170 ft lbs., replace the wheel and your on your way. Once you get the hang of it shouldn't take you more than a couple hours to do all 4 wheels.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 127
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From: Ohio
Originally Posted by freemanjc
Can anybody tell me how hard it is to change your own rotors! I am shocked at the labor costs and want to try to accomplish this task on my own. Also, if anyone has detailed directions please provide write up or link!
Thnanks again!
Thnanks again!
I speak from experience, otherwise it is very straight forward. Just look at things when you take the wheels off to see what you need to take off. Don't forget to paint the centers or hats of the rotors if they aren't zinc coated. Also you might want to do the calipers since everything is apart. One day should be more than enough time unless you paint the calipers and want them to completely dry. Good luck it makes a 
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Originally Posted by FLY LOW
A couple day to do a rotor change??
All you have to do is jack the car up, remove the wheel, remove the 2 bolts that hold the brake bracket to the knuckle (that's where the breaker bar comes into play), move the caliper out of the way (use soemthing to tie it to the control arm so it doesn't fall), slide the rotor off, put the new rotor on, place the caliper back on and torque it about 170 ft lbs., replace the wheel and your on your way. Once you get the hang of it shouldn't take you more than a couple hours to do all 4 wheels.
All you have to do is jack the car up, remove the wheel, remove the 2 bolts that hold the brake bracket to the knuckle (that's where the breaker bar comes into play), move the caliper out of the way (use soemthing to tie it to the control arm so it doesn't fall), slide the rotor off, put the new rotor on, place the caliper back on and torque it about 170 ft lbs., replace the wheel and your on your way. Once you get the hang of it shouldn't take you more than a couple hours to do all 4 wheels.
Not hard to do at all.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
Originally Posted by RTSVET
Dont forget the red locktite for all the bolts before you put it back together it is a must. good luck it is a very simple job to do. 
UMM yes dont forget the lock tight lol things start rattling if you umm do lol.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 443
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From: Wichita KS
Thanks for all your replies! I have ordered some RAYBESTOPS
for 48.99 a piece from rock auto. In reference to painting the center, how exactly is that done and what materials do I need! This is going to be fun, but I think I should leave the rum and coke until after the job is done.
for 48.99 a piece from rock auto. In reference to painting the center, how exactly is that done and what materials do I need! This is going to be fun, but I think I should leave the rum and coke until after the job is done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,683
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
I agree with everyone, not a hard job. I did my front rotors in about 2 hours this past week getting ready for road racing this weekend. The two bolts holding the brake bracket are a pain in the butt w/o a cheater bar.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1
From: right here right now
CI 5-6-8-9-11 Veteran
Originally Posted by freemanjc
Thanks for all your replies! I have ordered some RAYBESTOPS
for 48.99 a piece from rock auto. In reference to painting the center, how exactly is that done and what materials do I need! This is going to be fun, but I think I should leave the rum and coke until after the job is done.
for 48.99 a piece from rock auto. In reference to painting the center, how exactly is that done and what materials do I need! This is going to be fun, but I think I should leave the rum and coke until after the job is done.
If you paint the rotors make sure you use a high temp paint... just mask over the braking surface as well as the mating surface to the wheel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
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From: Manassas VA
Originally Posted by FLY LOW
A couple day to do a rotor change??
All you have to do is jack the car up, remove the wheel, remove the 2 bolts that hold the brake bracket to the knuckle (that's where the breaker bar comes into play), move the caliper out of the way (use soemthing to tie it to the control arm so it doesn't fall), slide the rotor off, put the new rotor on, place the caliper back on and torque it about 170 ft lbs., replace the wheel and your on your way. Once you get the hang of it shouldn't take you more than a couple hours to do all 4 wheels.
All you have to do is jack the car up, remove the wheel, remove the 2 bolts that hold the brake bracket to the knuckle (that's where the breaker bar comes into play), move the caliper out of the way (use soemthing to tie it to the control arm so it doesn't fall), slide the rotor off, put the new rotor on, place the caliper back on and torque it about 170 ft lbs., replace the wheel and your on your way. Once you get the hang of it shouldn't take you more than a couple hours to do all 4 wheels.
The first time, however, is a bit tough, especially for a guy who's mechanically inclined, but inexperienced.
The hardest part about it for me was getting the car totally off the ground and on jack stands. Get a good set of wheel chocks, because you don't want to have the ebrake set.
The second hardest part for me was realizing, after the fact, that the ebrake cable should be disconnected. Putting the new rotors on with the ebrake cable on was the longest part of my ordeal. I had to beat and pry them as best I could to get them back off.
Pay attention to the rear brakes and that ebrake cable. It took me two days because I didn't pay attention, and I went to buy all my tools, prepped the car, and started rather late on the first day.
Please let me know where I can fax you the step-by-step instructions, especially the part regarding the ebrake cable, or get somebody to send it to you via email.
Take my word for it, or suffer like I did.
