Rear rotors
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: Sooke BC
Rear rotors
I'm in the middle of replacing the rotors with a set D/S. Fronts went fine and ready to paint calipers. When I tried removing the rear rotors they where snug and thought you would have to pry a little. Well it's half off a wire spring fell down and seems to stuck on the E brake pads. 
The E brake was off so I don't understand why it is bound up on it. What do I do to remove rotor and what did I do wrong so I don't do it on the right rear. FIxing the the left side before i put the new rotor back on.
Thanks for any help and or ideas
Elvis
The E brake was off so I don't understand why it is bound up on it. What do I do to remove rotor and what did I do wrong so I don't do it on the right rear. FIxing the the left side before i put the new rotor back on.Thanks for any help and or ideas
Elvis
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Like you said make sure the e brake is off. I remember mine were stuck real bad also. I was trashing them once I got them off. I used a hammer and hit the out edge of the rotor all the way around, this loosened it right up.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: Sooke BC
They should not have been stuck the brakes where done last sept.So you you think I should hit the rotor till it comes off? What did you do to fix the E brake before reassembling?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
To get my old rear rotors off I had to use a rubber mallet and smash the crap out of them. My ebrake was off, but it seemed like the pads were seized to the rotors. The rotors were fine, but I had to sacrifice the ebrake pads. Had to buy new ones.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
I've seen a thread about the e brake "shoe" and what a pain it can be,but I can't find it.
IF that wire spring you're talking about is the shoe retaining spring,you're really going to wish that hadn't fallen off,if I remember the thread detail correctly. It's a REAL PIA to get back on there
This might help a little-not the thread I was thinking of,but close enough...http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...y-49-95-a.html
I just did my Rotors,and slipped a pry bar between the top of the rotor and the end of the upper control arm,and the rotor popped loose (it was a little tight all the way off,but the prybar got it started.)
IF that wire spring you're talking about is the shoe retaining spring,you're really going to wish that hadn't fallen off,if I remember the thread detail correctly. It's a REAL PIA to get back on there
This might help a little-not the thread I was thinking of,but close enough...http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...y-49-95-a.html
I just did my Rotors,and slipped a pry bar between the top of the rotor and the end of the upper control arm,and the rotor popped loose (it was a little tight all the way off,but the prybar got it started.)
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 19
From: Northern CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'12, '25
Uh-oh! That spring goes to the emergency brake shoe system and it's a PITA to get back on.... 
The above thread is what I used getting the e-brake back on. Also, I followed these tips to get my rotors off:
The rotor maybe difficult to remove because of rust between the rotor hat and axle flange. Several ways to remove a stubborn rotor, first thing I'd try is a three pound hammer and give the rotor hat several good belts between the wheel studs. Watch you don't hit a stud!!! Put the wheel nuts back on the studs if your aim is poor. Very often, the shock from the hammer will break the rust and the rotor will come free from the flange. Use the hammer between different studs and keeping a slight outward pull on the rotor while using the hammer may help too. If the hammer method won't break the rotor free, a slight amount of heat, a good propane torch is enough, applied around the studs may cause the hat to break free of the rust. If the shoes have worn into the drum on the back of the rotor or because of rust build-up on the unworn drum surface, you may have to wiggle the rotor off the parking brake shoe once the rotor is loose.
Good luck!
The above thread is what I used getting the e-brake back on. Also, I followed these tips to get my rotors off:The rotor maybe difficult to remove because of rust between the rotor hat and axle flange. Several ways to remove a stubborn rotor, first thing I'd try is a three pound hammer and give the rotor hat several good belts between the wheel studs. Watch you don't hit a stud!!! Put the wheel nuts back on the studs if your aim is poor. Very often, the shock from the hammer will break the rust and the rotor will come free from the flange. Use the hammer between different studs and keeping a slight outward pull on the rotor while using the hammer may help too. If the hammer method won't break the rotor free, a slight amount of heat, a good propane torch is enough, applied around the studs may cause the hat to break free of the rust. If the shoes have worn into the drum on the back of the rotor or because of rust build-up on the unworn drum surface, you may have to wiggle the rotor off the parking brake shoe once the rotor is loose.
Good luck!
Last edited by Gr8Wht; Mar 6, 2011 at 01:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: Sooke BC
OK I managed to get that SOB
off and it was the retaining spring. I got the right side off with no problem and was able to see how the retaining clip was attached. It was PITA but with a a lot of calming words I got it back on. Now I'm painting the calipers and will put it back together tomorrow. Is there going to be a problem getting the new rotor back on the one I had the problem with?
off and it was the retaining spring. I got the right side off with no problem and was able to see how the retaining clip was attached. It was PITA but with a a lot of calming words I got it back on. Now I'm painting the calipers and will put it back together tomorrow. Is there going to be a problem getting the new rotor back on the one I had the problem with?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 19
From: Northern CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'12, '25
OK I managed to get that SOB off and it was the retaining spring. I got the right side off with no problem and was able to see how the retaining clip was attached. It was PITA but with a a lot of calming words I got it back on. Now I'm painting the calipers and will put it back together tomorrow. Is there going to be a problem getting the new rotor back on the one I had the problem with?
off and it was the retaining spring. I got the right side off with no problem and was able to see how the retaining clip was attached. It was PITA but with a a lot of calming words I got it back on. Now I'm painting the calipers and will put it back together tomorrow. Is there going to be a problem getting the new rotor back on the one I had the problem with?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
When I did my rear rotors the shoes had formed a groove on the inside of the rotor that had to be overcome. The rear rotors on my 72. Now those were a different story. I was about ready to get the saws all out on them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Took me 2 days to get the P B Spring on need a spring hook
Finally found a spring hook and went thru the extra drilled hole in the center hub to get the P B (GM doesn't call it an Emergency Brake for good reason) spring on. Was a real PITA but when you get it under the retaining projections you are back in business. Tighten PB starwheels to just let the rotor slip over the released PB. Mine is now out of adjustment after about 5 years so I'll have to pull the rotors again.