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Stuck Brake Rotor (Rear)

21K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  tucsonzj 
#1 ·
Hey Guys,

I'm replacing the rear rotors and pads today. I have the jeep (2002 WJ) up, whelles off, calipers free and I cant get the damn rotor to come off??? I've tried whacking with a hammer (smallish hammer) but no luck.

Am I missing something here? There are no additional fasteners to remove, correct?

Do I need to get a sledge or small torch?

The rotors are old, and presumable rusted to the hub. Hmm, thoughts?

Thanks,

Bryan
 
#3 ·
You did take the e-brake off right? As long as the e-brake isn't engaged it should come off. It may take a couple of good blows from a deadblow hammer. Try spraying a penetrating spray around the backside of the rotor and tapping it a couple of times with the hammer.
 
#4 ·
When I had a shop install mine, they had a haard time getting them off also. I am sure it was e brake related. I think the e brake self adjusts every time you back up and wears the drum down causing a grove that the pads sit in.

As to how to release pressure I do not know.
 
#5 ·
I'm currently having the same issue right now too... not sure what to do yet. Currently I'm traveling but I'll have to look at it again when I'm back in 2 weeks.

When I had a shop install mine, they had a haard time getting them off also. I am sure it was e brake related. I think the e brake self adjusts every time you back up and wears the drum down causing a grove that the pads sit in.

As to how to release pressure I do not know.
Does anyone know a nice guide or some pictures to show how? Next time I take a hammer and a flame to it I want to make sure the e-brake is released first to make sure that isn't causing it (which I'm pretty sure of but that 1% chance that I permanently break the ebrake would be silly).
 
#6 · (Edited)
http://www.daihatsu.org/jeep/emergency-brake-shoes.html


If you've released the emergency brake (or use the lockout spring on the e-brake handle), the rotor should fall off with minimal effort, unless your emergency brake shoes are too far extended (use the star adjuster to retract them) or the rotor is RUSTED to the wheel hub. Spray some WD-40 around the five wheel hub bolts to "soak in" behind the rotor. You'll need to insert a small bolt through one of the caliper mounting bracket holes (and a nut between the mounting bracket and the rotor surface). Due to the dust shield surrounding the REAR rotors, you can only fit a 1/4" hex bolt through the caliper mounting bracket holes (so be careful not to shear the bolt in half by tightening it too rapidly). Tighten the bolt down until you hear the rusted area crack loose, then turn the rotor a few inches and re-tighten until you evenly break the rust across the entire wheel hub surface. Try to keep the bolt from gouging the rotor surface (unless you're planning to replace the rotors, too). This trick is easier on the front rotors, where you can use a more substantial hex bolt because there's no dust shield obstructing the caliper mounting bracket.
Not a bad idea if you're dumping the rotors -- I think i'm going to try this unless someone else has a better idea.

It also knows how to release the e-brake via the adjustment...


Loosen brake shoes with the star adjuster
Remove the star adjuster rubber dust cover if you haven't already (this picture is actually sideways - the dust cover is near the BOTTOM of the dust shield). Use a screwdriver or angled brake adjuster tool to turn the adjuster "up" (ie: push towards the top of the adjuster) to retract the shoes (picture of the star adjuster is below).


We can't remove the dust shield yet since the rotor is on but you can see in the 2nd picture what it looks like. Just turn the rod by pushing on the top teeth to loosen it.
 
#7 ·
You are changing the rotors right? Get a BFH and hit it hard, dont really matter where, just not on the studs,if you hit hard enough it will come loose, you may have to hit it a few time but it will come.
 
#8 ·
Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice. I went out and bought a 4lb hammer and a small torch. Some heat and a few good whacks and she loosened up. It was a clear case of rotor rusting to the hub. All my small hammer would do was knock out small pieces of rust, but not enough weight to knock it loose.

Even with teh cost of the hammer and torch, I'm way ahead of Midas or the stealership. Plus, now I have a BFH for future beatings!!!!

Thanks!

Bryan
 
#10 ·
Had the same issue on our 99. I applied my shop motto, "If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer", and all was well.

I put a thin coating of anti-seize inside the rotor where it contacts the axle flange in hopes it will make it easier to remove the rotors in the future.
 
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