Tips for getting off rusted rotors?

[DSG03COBRA]

Other than a BFH, any other tips on trying to get rotors off that are less than cooperating?

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[uofipilot]

SMF? (Small)

I'd try a rubber mallet. They really shouldn't be that hard to get off though. You removed the little metal retaining clip, right?

 

[DSG03COBRA]

You removed the little metal retaining clip, right?

I hope you're kidding, else I'm a complete idiot! There nowhere that I see a retaining clip.... This is on an '04 Expedition btw...

 

[fastfocus]

torch and a hammer

 

[uofipilot]

Nah, youre not an idiot. You'd see it if it was there. On my 97, the first time I did the brakes, there was a very thin clip on one of the wheel studs that lightly held the rotor in place. I guess the were put on in the factory to hold the rotor in place to make other assembly easier. It just kept the rotor from flopping around in the absence of a caliper or wheel.

Id hit it with some wd-40 or pb blaster, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then use a rubber mallet.

 

[01Cobra]

torch and a hammer

a chad

 

[aod92]

I recently did the brakes on my 99 Expedition and my front rotors were stuck on too. I just heated them up and beat the shit out of them to get them off. Put antiseeze on the new rotors before you put them back on.

 

[batman]

just call chad

 

[uofipilot]

Is this something just with the line of trucks? My rotors don't ever stick. What's the reason?

 

[skyhighsd]

Other than a BFH, any other tips on trying to get rotors off that are less than cooperating?

Really that is the best way if you dont have a torch. My F250 I had to beat the hell out of them to get them off. Just work your way around them with a good size hammer and they should pop off. Nowadays the rotors as rule are not made to cut anyways, just pick up a new set of rotors and go to town on them. Also there should have been retaining clip on those rotors they have been putting those on for many years now but if the brakes have been done before they are probably long gone by now.

 

[-=SVT=-]

really that is the best way if you dont have a torch. My f250 i had to beat the hell out of them to get them off. Just work your way around them with a good size hammer and they should pop off. Nowadays the rotors as rule are not made to cut anyways, just pick up a new set of rotors and go to town on them. Also there should have been retaining clip on those rotors they have been putting those on for many years now but if the brakes have been done before they are probably long gone by now.

+1

 

[DEEZUZ]

@ the dealership we'd take a 5 lb sledge and hit the rotor surface, cracking the complete outer ring off and therefore knocking everybit loose. Hit the hub with a wizzy wheel, apply new anti-seize to back of new rotor and it'll never happen again

 

[Ear Rak]

Dead blow hammer.

 

[Flatliner]

I agree with Brian, this is clip some people are talking about.

 

[skyhighsd]

I agree with Brian, this is clip some people are talking about.

I was trying to find a picture of one

 

[DSG03COBRA]

I agree with Brian, this is clip some people are talking about.

Ah... I see what you are talking about... no, there isn't a clip on it, I know for sure since I've been trying to pump WD-40 back behind the rotor through the studs...

Just picked up a BFH (3lb I believe) and also realized that I've got the wheels pointed straight, which hasn't really allowed me to get that good of a swing at the back of the rotor. After the kids are in bed, I'll crank the wheel so I have a little bit more room and visibility to the back of the rotor and "swing away"

 

[Slow99x]

You can hit both sides of the rotor to get it loose. Just hitting the back could take a while. Give the outside face a few whacks too.

 

[slow83]

id like to see some one get a rusty rotor off with a rubber mallet

 

[DSG03COBRA]

BFH FTMFW! Cranked the wheel so I could get a better whack at the back. Gave it a few on the front, few on the back, repeated a few times and the bastard popped right off w/in about a minute! Thanks everyone!