Rotor will not come off.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Burlington WA
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Rotor will not come off.
I am replacing the stock rotors and calipers to drilled and slotted rotors and powder coated calipers. The first three of the rotors came off no problem, but the right rear is stuck. Not stuck in place, but will not come off. The rotor moves and it is broken free, but I thinnk the parking brake is holding the rotor and keeps it from coming off. Anyone have some suggestions? I don't want to force it off, because it may damage the parking brake, but I need to get the old rotor off.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 389
Likes: 25
It is the parking brake. Seat the rotor into its normal position and set and release the parking brake several times. Make sure it is released and then pull rotor.
Getting the parking brake shoe spring back into position if you pull it out is kind of a pain or at least I didn't have the right trick or tool.
Getting the parking brake shoe spring back into position if you pull it out is kind of a pain or at least I didn't have the right trick or tool.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,758
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Use a rubber mallet and tap the rotor lightly. Work your way around until it comes free. Sometimes the parking brake just sticks and you have to carefully work it free a little at a time.
Replacing the spring isn't that hard, it just takes steady fingers and a little paitience to get it to stay where you want it.
Replacing the spring isn't that hard, it just takes steady fingers and a little paitience to get it to stay where you want it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 226
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Use a rubber mallet and tap the rotor lightly. Work your way around until it comes free. Sometimes the parking brake just sticks and you have to carefully work it free a little at a time.
Replacing the spring isn't that hard, it just takes steady fingers and a little paitience to get it to stay where you want it.
Replacing the spring isn't that hard, it just takes steady fingers and a little paitience to get it to stay where you want it.
OP'er; the adjustable wheel is unable to be accessed from the inner side of the C5 backing plate; best bet is to be sure the cable is FULLY released, you can easily remove the cable from the Parking Brake cam arm with some needle nose pliers
HTH's
Steve
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Burlington WA
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I followed bighank's advice - I got a bigger hammer. 
I got it off by hitting the rotor all around the rotor and it finally came off slowly but surely. Now to get the springs back on both of the parking brakes.
Once I do that, I am good to go. Have everything else done. 
Thanks
I got it off by hitting the rotor all around the rotor and it finally came off slowly but surely. Now to get the springs back on both of the parking brakes.
Once I do that, I am good to go. Have everything else done. Thanks
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Burlington WA
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
NCM Sinkhole Donor
it often results in removing the wheel bearing/hub(which is not a big deal for those that have done it dozens of times) to get the spring in the correct position
OP'er; the adjustable wheel is unable to be accessed from the inner side of the C5 backing plate; best bet is to be sure the cable is FULLY released, you can easily remove the cable from the Parking Brake cam arm with some needle nose pliers
HTH's
Steve
OP'er; the adjustable wheel is unable to be accessed from the inner side of the C5 backing plate; best bet is to be sure the cable is FULLY released, you can easily remove the cable from the Parking Brake cam arm with some needle nose pliers
HTH's
Steve
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 91
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
It's a 33 mm nut so you will need a 33 mm socket. However to remove the Hub,you need to do more than just remove the Axel nut. You have to take the upper control arm off at either body or spindle then slide the Axel out to get access to the HUB bolts.
I tied a piece of 0.20 safety wire to the end of the brake spring to hold it in place then use a pointed rod to position the spring on the shoes.
I tied a piece of 0.20 safety wire to the end of the brake spring to hold it in place then use a pointed rod to position the spring on the shoes.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 1,214
From: Wisconsin
Heres a link, this should help, dont pay attention the thread title 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...y-49-95-a.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...y-49-95-a.html
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
It is a real PITA to get that spring back in place. It is possible without disassembling everything. Get a small shaft old screw driver and modify the tip and side as a placement tool. A V notch on the tip helps a lot in pushing the spring around. On the side of the blade not too far from the front, cut another notch for pulling. First - wind the adjuster all the way out so the shoe is expanded to the max. More room to work. Second use some strong wire at the top of the spring to hold the center in place, it will tend to walk around slipping out of the side lugs on the backing plate. There is a conveniently located hole drilled in the shoe that works fine. Then start by inserting spring into lug in backing plate using pusher end of tool you just made. Next peen the lug down a bit to help with retention of spring. Then use the side notch to pull the end of the spring inside of the shoe. Start on the other side, it will be a lot harder since the spring is now under tension. Once you have it in, remove the retaining wire and wind the adjusters back down. Properly set adjusters for shoe position with new rotor. Try Ebrake handle in car to check adjustment, repeat if necessary.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Took me 2 days and a small spring hook to get the brake spring back on
Finally got it using the extra hole in the hub. Got spring over one side and then manuvered a small bent spring hook thru the extra hole and guided the other side of the spring in place. A real PITA but not necessary to remove the hub.
At this time make sure the parking brake starwheel is set right. Turn till the rotor just slides onto the hub with a slight amount of rubbing. This is the correct setting.
At this time make sure the parking brake starwheel is set right. Turn till the rotor just slides onto the hub with a slight amount of rubbing. This is the correct setting.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Burlington WA
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have been working on the spring on and off for two days now. I read the information about using a wire and I went out and did both in about 15 minutes or so. I could not believe how easy it was with that method. I was just about to pull the hub and then I thought I would try that as a last effort. This forum rocks! Thanks to everyone who gave their suggestions.
I did adjust the brake shoes so the rotor would just slide on. When I went to put the new rotor on, it was very tight and would not slip on like it should. After adjusting it, it went on like the others. That was the one I needed the bigger hammer on.
I did adjust the brake shoes so the rotor would just slide on. When I went to put the new rotor on, it was very tight and would not slip on like it should. After adjusting it, it went on like the others. That was the one I needed the bigger hammer on.
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Great information - thanks to all who have shared their knoweldge.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
So, the ebrake cylinder on the passengers side of my '00 C5 has failed. It does not expand the parking brake shoe as it should. I checked on line at Chevy, NAPA and Autozone, no one carries the cylinder. Any ideas where I can find one? I has the same problem as ensteel. It was at b*tch getting the brake shoe spring back in place but it can be done.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Burlington WA
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The thin wire works the best. I just slid the wire behing the spring and pulled down and the spring poped into place. Did it with the second side and all was well. 
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 692
Likes: 13
From: Lithia Springs Georgia
I may be late to this thread but I just wanted to say I had to beat the living HELL out of my old rear rotors to get them off. My neighbor thought there was something seriously wrong with me. lol