Rear Brake Rotors

LimitedTime5.9 · 05-26-2006, 10:43 AM

Ok, so- I feel REAL sheepish for even asking this. I am having a heck of a time getting the rear brake rotors off my ZJ. I've soaked everything down with WD-40 and beat the crap out of the rotor with a rubber mallet- And they just aren't coming loose. They aren't held on by anything but rust, right????

**ArloGuthroJeep** · 05-26-2006, 10:45 AM

You have the caliper off I assume?

Sometimes there are little rings on the lugs which hold on the rotor but just ever so slightly.

More then likely you are just being girly and need to hit it a lot harder

Get a 3lbs hammer and wack away at the rotor (missing the brake dust shield)...Thats assuming you aren't planning on using that rotor over.

LimitedTime5.9 · 05-26-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArloGuthroJeep

You have the caliper off I assume?

Sometimes there are little rings on the lugs which hold on the rotor but just ever so slightly.

More then likely you are just being girly and need to hit it a lot harder

Get a 3lbs hammer and wack away at the rotor (missing the brake dust shield)...Thats assuming you aren't planning on using that rotor over.

LOL, yeah, I tend to be overly cautious when beating stuff. I've whacked the crap out of it, but haven't really gone all out yet. The calipers are indeed off, and I see no stud rings. I do plan on using the rotors.... So I don't want to use an actual hammer. Friggen things are ticking me off!

I'll just whack some more tonight- I was just making sure there wasn't something else I wasn't overlooking. The dust plates on the back appear to be unremovable until the rotors are off. I don't see any mounting bolts or screws on the backside.

**ArloGuthroJeep** · 05-26-2006, 10:52 AM

Yeah you have the right idea then...just keep wacking away at different parts (rotating the hub...).

kc76 · 05-26-2006, 11:23 AM

could be you need to loosen the parking brake shoes. should be a star wheel behind a rubber grommet on the dust plate. the service manual tells you which way to rotate them to loosen them up.

might want to try that before you keep wailing on the rotor!

LimitedTime5.9 · 05-26-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc76

could be you need to loosen the parking brake shoes. should be a star wheel behind a rubber grommet on the dust plate. the service manual tells you which way to rotate them to loosen them up.

might want to try that before you keep wailing on the rotor!

I would have never thought of that. Thanks! The parking brake cables are off completely; but Didn't think abuot the mechnism itself. I will check into that, thanks!

kc76 · 05-26-2006, 12:19 PM

let us know how that works!

sometimes just the tiniest things....

kentman · 05-27-2006, 05:20 AM

I had the same issue. Rotating the wheel between whacks is extremely critical. I also found that hitting them from the outside inward allowed for a better wind up. The other direction made it hard to not hit the dust guard. Your main goal is to break the rust bond. Once they are loose, they slide right off. Also, I recommend that you replace the parking brake shoes while you are at it. They cost $15 after the core is returned.

LimitedTime5.9 · 05-27-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kentman

I had the same issue. Rotating the wheel between whacks is extremely critical. I also found that hitting them from the outside inward allowed for a better wind up. The other direction made it hard to not hit the dust guard. Your main goal is to break the rust bond. Once they are loose, they slide right off. Also, I recommend that you replace the parking brake shoes while you are at it. They cost $15 after the core is returned.

Ahh, excellent; Thanks Kentman! I will be heading out there shortly to try 'er out.....

Mark T · 05-27-2006, 05:23 PM

The parking brake shoes need to be collapsed before you can remove the rotor. The parking brake cable is attached to a lever which protrudes through the backing plate. The lever is a two piece mechanism with a 1/4" hinge pin. This mechanism will seize due to corrosion. The shoes deploy but won't fully retract. In fact, they may rub slightly. They will wear into the drum and create a lip at the edge, compounded with rust build-up. The shoes now act like an inner snap ring and no amount of pounding will dislodge the rotor. You may/will damage the shoe retaining pins if the shoes choose to stay with the rotor as it is pounded off. Spray the area at the lever mechanism with WD-40. Try to remove the cable at the lever. It should be obvious how to work the cable end off the lever. If you can't remove it, then you will have to begin working the lever back and forth with it in place. Use what ever tools you need, such as large screwdrivers, to loosen the mechanism. Eventually you should get it loose enough to remove the cable. Keep working the lever back and forth until you are able to push the lever away from the cable end. This should collapse the shoes enough for you to pull off the rotor. Make sure you separate and clean the levers, especially at the hinge pin. At light coat of Never-Seize at the hinge pin might help prevent future seizing.
p.s. Don't forget to free-up the "starwheel" adjustment mechanism.
Hope this helped!
Mark

LimitedTime5.9 · 05-28-2006, 09:29 AM

Ok, so I got one rotor off so far, haven't gotten to the other side yet. But I have another question:

Do the caliper brackets, backing plates & dust shields even come off of the axel? I was looking at it after getting the rotor off, and I just cant tell how it all comes off.

Any ide'rs?

~George

GreenDean · 05-28-2006, 10:12 AM

The dust shield and caliper bracket are held on with bolts. Look behind the axle... they are there. No reason to remove them though.

LimitedTime5.9 · 05-28-2006, 11:58 AM

Actually, sorry, I am selling all of this stuff. Someone on this board actually, is requesting all of these items.

I need to get the brackets and dust shields off, however- it looks like I need to pull the axel shafts out to do so. I can't figure out how to slide the caliper bracket and dust shield off over the outter axel shaft hub deal (which has the lugs on it).

Anyone have insight into this for me? If I do need to pull the shafts; How difficult is it to do?

~George

Colorado 5.9 · 05-29-2006, 01:06 AM

I heard Corey was supposed to come pull the motor. Did he help you with the axle?

LimitedTime5.9 · 05-29-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado 5.9

I heard Corey was supposed to come pull the motor. Did he help you with the axle?

Hey Scott!

Yeah, he did help me with that. It was very easy to do actually. I didn't realize they were that easy to pull out. But I got everything off I needed to get off.... except the e-brake cables. I have to get under there today and finish that up.