I was suprised to see that there weren't more posts about this... or maybe I don't know how to search. Hehe. In anycase...

I have a pair of stock size Brembo rotors that I am trying to install. I can't get my old front rotors off! I've tried hitting them with a rubber mallet (just incase I have to drive the car somewhere if it didn't work). No luck. I also looked around for a puller that was big enough - but the rotors are like 11.5" and the largest one I found was 8".

Any suggestions. Thanks guys!

Steve

 

You did take out the two big phillips head screws, right?

The basic idea I've seen is to just whomp on it for a while. Put the lug nuts back on to protect the studs, then hit it around the center, hit it from the sides, generally do everything you can to break the rust free.

-=Russ=-

 

Remove the two screws. There is a threaded hole in the hub area of the rotor that has no bolt in it. You screw a bolt in there and as it tightens against the hub it pushes the rotor off. Presto! The rotor will fall right off.

The long adjuster bolt on the alternator is just the right size...

Do NOT bang on the rotors! That's not a good idea.

 

Hehe. Yup, I did remove the 2 small screws. I'll take a look for that threaded hole in the hub area. Do you know the size/thread pattern for that hole - so I don't have to remove the alternator adjuster bolt?

Thanks!

 

Not off the top of my head. The alternator tensioner has a nut that holds the belt tension and a long bolt that adjusts the tension. You can safely remove just the long bolt and then put it back without having to actually loosen the alternator belt.

 

I think the phillips head screws you removed are the correct size/thread pattern. If you haven't chewed them up too much while removing them, you should be able to use them to pop off the rotor.

Just an idea, but I bought an extra set of four from Mazda, as mine were pretty badly stripped.

Good luck

 

Yeah, actually I seem to remember someone mentioning something about reusing those retainer screw holds to thread some large bolts down that would push the rotor away from the hub. I was just afraid that I might strip those threads if I apply to much pressure to them. I will see if I can get that alternator bolt off and use it get the rotor to back off.

Thanks.

 

sweet. i didnt know about the threaded hole you can tap into to force it off the hub. We used a press!!! Nice tip man.


-marc

 

Hello-

I *think* that the thread is M8x1.25 (i.e. standard, coarse 8mm bolt).

Hasta,
Shad

 

Excellent, I'll give that a shot. A few people suggested using some WD40, PB Blaster (not familiar with that), or some other rust solvent to help brake it up - letting it sit for an hour or so before trying to pry it off. Thoughts?

 

Welll when i got my front rotors put on.. the guy hit them with a hammer in the back for a while... rotating the wheel making sure it comes off easily... from the look on his face.. it wasnt easy coming off.. :-P

 

Waste of time and effort. Just thread the bolt into the unused hole and the rotor will pop off instantly. Doing it any other way is harder, wastes time and risks damage to the parts.

 

Okay... we'll give it a shot this weekend. Thanks guys!

 

Got the rotors on! Thanks for the tip about using the empty threaded-hole. That M8x1.25 bolt work perfectly and popped those right off. Had one hell of a time getting the retaining screws off the drivers side. We nearly stripped the screws right apart, until my friend has this idea of hammering in a small standard head bit, and using a wratched for leverage... took them right out - and we were able to reuse them!

Haven't really put them to the test yet... but they seem to be biting pretty good. A little squeaking has started now that they've worked in. I picked up a can of DeSqueak from AutoZone, but haven't put any on. Supposedly you spray that on the rotor and the metal particals burnish the rotor and remove squeaking. Kind of scares me. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

There's really no reason I know of to re-install the screws.

 

I love this forum!!!! Thanks for info!

 

Just wanted to add in this thread that is was very usefull

Thank you All.