Rotors frozen on to axle
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I'm trying to take the rotors off the rear of a 2000 Formula. The calipers came off with little trouble, the rotors are nuked on good. I've smashed the heck out of them from the rear with a hammer, they don't budge. I've sprayed the hub down with WD40, trying to penetrate as much as possible in there. Any ideas? I've also tried using a pry bar between the caliper bracket and the rotor. No go. I didn't push it too hard, I didn't want to damage the bracket. I'm not worried about any damage to the rotors, they will be replaced.
#2
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Check out this thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/226769-need-rotors-resist-warping.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/226769-need-rotors-resist-warping.html
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Good reading. I only tried a mallet and a ball peen hammer. I have a 20 lb. sledge, that might do it-- if it doesn't knock the car off the jackstands first! I also have an air hammer if the sledge doesn't work. I've never really had this problem before, not to this extent anyway. I don't know why I didn't think of the sledge before, it was sitting 10 feet away, painted flourescant green. Anyway, Thanks VIP1, this sure helps. Might have to resort to the plasma cutter.
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My last set of rear rotors were very stuck. I did knock chunks of the rotor off of the disc (shattered a section of it) with the hammer. It did finally come off on about the third hard whack with a 3 lb steel hammer. They do get stuck, but they will come off (both times that I've changed mine, I've had to knock them off with a few good applications of a 3 lb hammer).
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Not to insult you or anything, but did you remove the three safety washers that hold the rotors on to the studs. I only ask because you did not state that in your original post.
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Originally Posted by VIP1
Be careful with the sledgehammer.
You dont want to destroy the wheel bearings.
You dont want to destroy the wheel bearings.
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I finally got them off, I just continually beat on the hat area of the rotor. The 20 pound sledge didn't seem to do any better than a standard size ball peen hamer. One side came off via the sledge, the other with the hammer. You have to get some major league swings into punding these things though. I haven't even tried the fronts yet!! Thanks for the advice, guys.
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Originally Posted by trackbird
Actually, if you lay under the car (well supported on stands) and swing outward, you'll put most of the load into the c-clips on the axles and the carrier bearings will absorb most of it (still not ideal), but I had very few other ideas when I couldn't get them loose. However, my bearings survived until an autocross last year, now they finally need replaced. I killed them, but they survived two rotor changes. It's still a good idea to be careful though.
Well, on the fronts the bearings will be taking the brunt of the force.