First time brake job - question?

[Maxhouse97]

See below, I can’t get the front rotor off. I’ve removed the two locating screws. I’ve banged it pretty hard with a hammer but it won’t budge. Am I missing something? Want to make sure it wasn’t something stupid before I go to more extreme measures.

[Estoril]

Give it a heavy blow with a big mallet at the edges. It will come off. You probably have corrosion on the hub face. The wire brush it completely clean and then apply some WD40 with a small cloth to the formerly corroded area. Don't forget to do the same to the inside of the rotor hub which is also likely corroded. (Keep WD40 off the rotor ring surface).

Check your rotor locator bolts for any sign of corrosion. They are meant to be replaced.

Always keep your hub face very clean.

[M3Bob]

Probably rusted on there. Squirt some penetrant in the set screw holes, wait a bit, and then go back to wailing on it with a soft headed dead blow hammer. Make sure to use anti-seize (not too much!) on the back of the rotor when you put it back. Use anti-seize on the set screws and locator studs as well.

[Maxhouse97]

Ok thanks guys, I’ll fire away.

[Maxhouse97]

Got it thanks. Better safe than sorry. Love this forum.

[heinzboehmer]

If you run into issues pulling off the rear rotors, make sure that the handbrake is down. I wasted so much time the first time I changed rear brakes because I left the handbrake up.

[Estoril]

If you run into issues pulling off the rear rotors, make sure that the handbrake is down. I wasted so much time the first time I changed rear brakes because I left the handbrake up.

Been there, done that!

[bumada]

Haha ditto. I ended up bending one of the drum brake pieces on my 4runner.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[sapote]

I don't like using big hammer near any bearing, including wheel roller bearings. I would do this: mount the wheel back on with 5 nuts but leave the nut half a turn loose. Move the car at 5mph and jump on the brake pedal and this should loosen the hub. If moving forward didn't work then try moving backward.

[timmo]

When you put the new rotor on, I'd recommend putting a small dab of anti-seize on the rotor retaining screw threads. I've seen too many instances where those get seized and you end up having to drill them out

[Estoril]

When you put the new rotor on, I'd recommend putting a small dab of anti-seize on the rotor retaining screw threads. I've seen too many instances where those get seized and you end up having to drill them out

[eacmen]

Or just don’t install the retaining screw.

Anti seize on the hub lip is a good idea though to make wheel removal easier.

[M3Bob]

Anti-seize (used properly) is your friend!!!

[sapote]

Looking at this retaining screw, I wonder why the accounting guy allowed the engineer to have it. Maybe the lawyer said it was needed in case the wheel fell off the axle (Pep Boys fault) and the brake disk still worked and the company could not be sued.