Installing Rear rotors.... Please HELP!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: San Jose California
Installing Rear rotors.... Please HELP!
I have a 2002 Camaro SS, and its my very first time changing rotors on it.
Now, I took off the caliper and the bracket that holds it, But the rotors wont come off. Is it stuck to something still ? I thought it was supposed to come off.
Please help
Now, I took off the caliper and the bracket that holds it, But the rotors wont come off. Is it stuck to something still ? I thought it was supposed to come off.
Please help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 12
From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Do Camaros have the same rear brakes as C5s?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Russellville Ky
The parking brake shoes are probably making enough friction to keep them from coming off. Make sure the parking brake is off and beat on them with a rubber mallet a little. They don't come off easily.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
parking brake off/disconnected
if it's just rusted in place, at your own risk, i've done...
rubber mallet
liquid wrench/WD-40 + rubber mallet
BFH
if all else fails take a propane torch and heat up the hub. The trick is to hold the torch and turn the rotor so you're not hitting it on the same spot every time. As the metal expands, it should break lose.
if it's just rusted in place, at your own risk, i've done...
rubber mallet
liquid wrench/WD-40 + rubber mallet
BFH
if all else fails take a propane torch and heat up the hub. The trick is to hold the torch and turn the rotor so you're not hitting it on the same spot every time. As the metal expands, it should break lose.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
I was trying to do this yesterday to adjust my parking brake...wacking it with a big rubber mallet and no luck...those things are REALLY on there. I can't spin mine easily due to the posi differential wanting to spin both hubs at once....I'm a bit skeptical about heat on there esp with the hub bearings and seal so close.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
There is a TRICK to removing the rear rotors. First put the partking brake down (off) and put the rear on jack stands and take the rear wheels off. Get a big socket and put it on that big nut in the middle of the rotor and a breaker bar. Just make it spin the whole rotor assembly a couple turns and the rotor will fall off. (It will make the parking brake shoes retract) I think you have to spin it clockwise for the right side and counter clockwise for the left side. As an option to using the socket and breaker bar you can put it into gear 1st gear (or Drive) and drive real slowly. The opposite side you put the car into reverse to spin the wheels a couple times. Make sure not to spin the wheels to fast or the rotor will fly off....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
The service manual says to rotate the hub while gently pulling and the hub will release. the hammer technique will work, you may end up re-assembling the E-brake however. I found that pulling and pushing alternating will free up the stuck rotor. very similar technique used with a stuck brake drum.
good luck
good luck
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
There could be other issues depending on where you live and if you drive your car in winter weather. The parking brake drum portion of the rotor could be filled with road crud that has hardened. This builds up between the parking brake shoe and the edge of the drum. I did the brakes on my 2003 Tahoe this year and had to get a claw hammer and put it in the fins of the rotor and then use a sledge hammer against the back of the claw hammer to pull the crud over the parking brake shoe. I had to move the claw hammer around the rotor to keep it moving evenly. It took about 30 minutes each to get the rotors off. The service manual for the Tahoe recommends using a puller that fastens into the fins but I didn't have one and the claw hammer worked. One positive aspect of the job is it saves on gym bills since you will get plenty of exercise.
Bill
Bill
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