Brake Rotors: Rusted Stuck

[Apex_BRZ]

Went to install the TF Brake Duct kit today and got stuck at the rotors. Silly place to get stuck, but they are REALLY on there. Tried letting it soak for a few hours in PB Blaster, hammering at it with a big rubber mallet and regular hammer, and used the threaded rod for the spare tire hold down in the removal holes. I eventually found bolts from my ZO6 I have torn apart right now that fit the rotor holes and used that to push off the passenger side. It eventually gave. However, I tried that cautiously on the driver side and ended up stripping the holes....they are absolutely stripped.

I have the car soaking in PB (not convinced it will do any good) and will go at it again tomorrow with a bigass hammer. I'm sure I'll destroy the rotor in the process. Clearly, I'm relatively new to some of this...so I'm open to suggestions on how to get this thing off without ruining a wheel hub bearing along with the rotor. Need to be ready for Sebring on the 7th, gotta get this done!

Suggestions?

[Apex_BRZ]

Going to try this tomorrow. Seems like everybody has good luck doing it.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtsTJCRljAs"]Remove Rusted Brake Rotors ( Easy for any car or truck ) - YouTube[/ame]

[jimmillion]

Not gonna lie, watched the video and was throughly impressed with the simplicity.

[Apex_BRZ]

Originally Posted by jimmillion

Not gonna lie, watched the video and was throughly impressed with the simplicity.

I have high hopes, and really can't think of a reason why it shouldn't work. I do, however, have some concerns for the rotor face on the backside. I have some thin pieces of wood I will tuck in there, but I'm not sure it'll protect it.

Unfortunately, I've dinged the passenger side rotor already with a hammer. Only one, and not bad. Might just get some new centric blanks.

[Kiske]

Throw a couple lug nuts on (leaving 2-3mm of thread showing on the stud) and use a hammer to hit inbetween them a few times. Like your trying to force the rotor onto the wheel hub. Usually in the shop that takes care of any problem rotors.

[Apex_BRZ]

Originally Posted by Kiske

Throw a couple lug nuts on (leaving 2-3mm of thread showing on the stud) and use a hammer to hit inbetween them a few times. Like your trying to force the rotor onto the wheel hub. Usually in the shop that takes care of any problem rotors.

I think I'll try the bolt and nuts method above before trying anything potentially destructive.

[Poodles]

Attack the hub with a steel bristle brush and get all the rust off so the rotor can slide off.

[wparsons]

If you don't want to harm the rotors, use the proper method. The video above will ruin the back surface of the rotor.

Look at the center (hub area) of the rotor, there are two threaded holes. Thread a bolt into them and it'll push the rotor off the hub without damaging the rotor area. IIRC the bolt you need is 8 x 1.25mm, but I'm not sure. There's info (and videos) all over the internet documenting this for WRX's (which run the same front rotors).

[CoupedUpSubie]

Originally Posted by wparsons

If you don't want to harm the rotors, use the proper method. The video above will ruin the back surface of the rotor.

Look at the center (hub area) of the rotor, there are two threaded holes. Thread a bolt into them and it'll push the rotor off the hub without damaging the rotor area. IIRC the bolt you need is 8 x 1.25mm, but I'm not sure. There's info (and videos) all over the internet documenting this for WRX's (which run the same front rotors).

He stripped those holes already.


OP, with how stuck your rotors seem to be I would just replace them. When you do take a wire brush to everything you can on the hub. Then take and apply a thin coat of anti-seize or high-temp grease. A very thin coat is all that is needed.

[Apex_BRZ]

Used the method from the video above and had them off in 5min. So easy it was embarrassing. Put a couple plastic shims in to protect the rotor face, but it scored the surface anyway. They were stuck so bad it literally dug through the plastic into the rotor. I may just replace them, if I should even worry about it. I'll post pics later and see what you guys think. Moving on with the install for now, thanks for the advice.

[Apex_BRZ]

Any advice on removing the wheel hubs? They are also stuck on there...

Is it safe to use something to push in from the rear of it in the center? Looks aluminum and the bearings may be in there.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Apex_BRZ

Used the method from the video above and had them off in 5min. So easy it was embarrassing. Put a couple plastic shims in to protect the rotor face, but it scored the surface anyway. They were stuck so bad it literally dug through the plastic into the rotor. I may just replace them, if I should even worry about it. I'll post pics later and see what you guys think. Moving on with the install for now, thanks for the advice.

Unless you have some fancy-schmancy ones, rotors are cheap consumables.

[wparsons]

Just an FYI, the spare tire hold down is not the right threads for the front rotors. I tried, couldn't get it to thread, bought the right bolts and got mine off without issue.

[Ozzman]

Why in tarnation are you removing the hubs? Don't remove em unless you are planning to replace em.