Installing new rotors
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Independence Mo.
Installing new rotors
I am installing new rotors on my 02 and can not seam to get the stock rotor off. I have removed the caliper and the rotor will not slide off. Any help would be appreciated
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Black Bat -
Tap around the face of the rotor (between the lug studs) with a hammer - taking care not to bung up your lug stud threads.
Then grab the outside edge of the rotor in two places 180 degrees apart and wiggle it off -
IF that does not work, use some penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.) around the inner diameter of the rotor where it is slid onto the hub.
If it is a rear rotor, you also need to remove the parking brake cable and ensure the parking brake shoes are not interfering with removal.
Sometimes you just have to do a little hammer work to get them off, just be careful and only hammer on the old rotor that will not be re-used.
One other thing - you did remove the caliper and caliper mounting brackets, right? The rotor cannot come off with the caliper mounting brackets still in place - I just leave the caliper on the bracket and remove the two bracket bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
Tap around the face of the rotor (between the lug studs) with a hammer - taking care not to bung up your lug stud threads.
Then grab the outside edge of the rotor in two places 180 degrees apart and wiggle it off -
IF that does not work, use some penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.) around the inner diameter of the rotor where it is slid onto the hub.
If it is a rear rotor, you also need to remove the parking brake cable and ensure the parking brake shoes are not interfering with removal.
Sometimes you just have to do a little hammer work to get them off, just be careful and only hammer on the old rotor that will not be re-used.
One other thing - you did remove the caliper and caliper mounting brackets, right? The rotor cannot come off with the caliper mounting brackets still in place - I just leave the caliper on the bracket and remove the two bracket bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: CHICOPEE MA
Hi Black Bat -
Tap around the face of the rotor (between the lug studs) with a hammer - taking care not to bung up your lug stud threads.
Then grab the outside edge of the rotor in two places 180 degrees apart and wiggle it off -
IF that does not work, use some penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.) around the inner diameter of the rotor where it is slid onto the hub.
If it is a rear rotor, you also need to remove the parking brake cable and ensure the parking brake shoes are not interfering with removal.
Sometimes you just have to do a little hammer work to get them off, just be careful and only hammer on the old rotor that will not be re-used.
One other thing - you did remove the caliper and caliper mounting brackets, right? The rotor cannot come off with the caliper mounting brackets still in place - I just leave the caliper on the bracket and remove the two bracket bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
Tap around the face of the rotor (between the lug studs) with a hammer - taking care not to bung up your lug stud threads.
Then grab the outside edge of the rotor in two places 180 degrees apart and wiggle it off -
IF that does not work, use some penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.) around the inner diameter of the rotor where it is slid onto the hub.
If it is a rear rotor, you also need to remove the parking brake cable and ensure the parking brake shoes are not interfering with removal.
Sometimes you just have to do a little hammer work to get them off, just be careful and only hammer on the old rotor that will not be re-used.
One other thing - you did remove the caliper and caliper mounting brackets, right? The rotor cannot come off with the caliper mounting brackets still in place - I just leave the caliper on the bracket and remove the two bracket bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
Don't let caliper hang from brake hose, so as not to risk damage to brake hose. Just my .02
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
Hi Black Bat -
Tap around the face of the rotor (between the lug studs) with a hammer - taking care not to bung up your lug stud threads.
Then grab the outside edge of the rotor in two places 180 degrees apart and wiggle it off -
IF that does not work, use some penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.) around the inner diameter of the rotor where it is slid onto the hub.
If it is a rear rotor, you also need to remove the parking brake cable and ensure the parking brake shoes are not interfering with removal.
Sometimes you just have to do a little hammer work to get them off, just be careful and only hammer on the old rotor that will not be re-used.
One other thing - you did remove the caliper and caliper mounting brackets, right? The rotor cannot come off with the caliper mounting brackets still in place - I just leave the caliper on the bracket and remove the two bracket bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
Tap around the face of the rotor (between the lug studs) with a hammer - taking care not to bung up your lug stud threads.
Then grab the outside edge of the rotor in two places 180 degrees apart and wiggle it off -
IF that does not work, use some penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.) around the inner diameter of the rotor where it is slid onto the hub.
If it is a rear rotor, you also need to remove the parking brake cable and ensure the parking brake shoes are not interfering with removal.
Sometimes you just have to do a little hammer work to get them off, just be careful and only hammer on the old rotor that will not be re-used.
One other thing - you did remove the caliper and caliper mounting brackets, right? The rotor cannot come off with the caliper mounting brackets still in place - I just leave the caliper on the bracket and remove the two bracket bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
Only thing I could add is if you have tried all the above then you may have to heat the rotor with a torch. This would be a very unusual thing to have to do but road crime and heat can weld the rotor onto the hub.Be sure and clean with a wire brush the mating surfaces before you install your new rotors.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
mggn posted some very good instructions. 
I can not stress enough though to be careful with the rears. The little clip that hold the e-brake in place is a major pain to re-install.
Good luck,
Larry
I can not stress enough though to be careful with the rears. The little clip that hold the e-brake in place is a major pain to re-install.
Good luck,
Larry
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Independence Mo.
The rotor must be rusted on. I am soaking with PB as we speak. I have supported the rotor on a box as I will be painting it soon. I have hand threaded the lugs on the studs in case of damage. I will try all of the above. Thank You
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
Keep at it. Mine were a bear to get off, too. I tired wd40, hitting the backsides with a mallet, curisng, praying, etc. Eventually the thing that worked was rigging up a pretty thick metal plate over the studs, and then reaching around from the plate to the back of the rotor with some BIG c-clamps. Then I just twisted the clamps evenly until the rotor popped forward. Good luck. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Independence Mo.
Armed with a large hammer and alot of four letter words it has poped off now and starting to wire brush all that is needed. I hope the other 3 go alot easier than this. Thank You All 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Front or rear? You need to hit them with some WD40 around the studs and a few carefuls shot with a rubber mallet. On the rears you have to be care because of the emergency brakes shoes on the inside of the rotor.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,542
Likes: 24,834
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Glad you got them off - sometimes all it takes is a big hammer.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16