Need help on replacing rotors

jtratza · 04-10-2003, 08:38 PM

I've searched and found information on how to replace brake pads and what kind of rotors to buy (reluctantly not going with drilled) but haven't been able to find help on replacing rotors. The reason for all this is the brake pad warning light came on this week and with 130,000 miles on the car it's probably time to replace the rotors while I am down there. At least that's my thinking. I don't know if the rotors have reached the minimum thickness but do know they have built up a thick ridge on the outside edge. Any help in describing what I am going to encounter or direction to a tech artical would be greatly apprciated. I'm ready to place the order with PP Friday after talking to one of the exceptionally helpful people on the order desk this afternoon.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

Tom,
I've just done this on mine and it's not bad at all. The worst part I had was replacing the 19mm bolts that hold on the caliper. It took a little bit of fiddling with the caliper to get both bolts to slide in and catch on the threads, but it's not that big of a deal.

bell · bell's Garage

when you get the fronts off you'll want to inspect and repack the front bearings, you'll have it apart anyway. also a good time to re-adjust your e-brake in the rear.
you'll probably need a bolt that threads in the rear rotors to get them to pop off (it threads through the rotor itself against the hub to push it off,in between the lugs there are 2, just like a honda) i don't remember the size this is.
just did mine recently also, not a hard job.

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

Im going to be doing mine next weekend too. Whats involved in repacking the bearings? What do I need to do this?

Thanks

RickM · RickM's Garage

You can pack bearings by hand or use this little device for 3 bucks....Pelican doesn't carry, I checked

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3168

Rot 911 · 04-11-2003, 06:08 AM

Or if you are even cheaper than Rick, do what I do, put the bearing and a glob of wheel bearing grease in a zip lock bag close the bag and then work the grease into the bearing. When done just throw the bag away!

RickM · RickM's Garage

LOL, Kurt. Actually I'm even cheaper...I do it while wearing Latex gloves. But the I like the bag idea.

When working the grease in I usually try to drive any remaining old grease out as well. So you're left with a bearing fully packed with fresh grease.

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

Novice here. The wheel bearing comes off when you change the rotors? Anyone have a picture?

Sounds easy enough.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

The bearings are part of the hub. So when you pull off the tire you see a hub that contains the lug nut studs, the rotor and a little dust cap in the center. when you remove this cap there's an allen nut (a strange little thing) loosen the allen bolt and unscrew the nut. Once that's loose the whole rotor/hub/bearings assembly comes off the spindle (axle). just pull.

The bearings are set in the hub. The outer bearing is held in by the nut so it comes loose when you pull the hub/rotor.

edit: don't forget to pull the caliper too

Superman · 04-11-2003, 07:17 AM

If there's a substantial lip at the edge, chances are the rotor thickness is at or near its wear limit. You may need to pry the pads away from the rotor in order to remove them. Another thing you can do during this project is to rebuild the calipers. Rebuild kits are $10 to $20 and the procedure is very easy.

Kurt, that's a GREAT GREAT idea. That will be the most important new information I received this week. Rick, your bearings should be clean before you pack them.