Brake redo going smooth until... Help
 

Ok - jumped into the middle of this Brake redo on a 1987 Cabriolet. Got out Wayne's 101 Book to make sure I did the jacking points,etc. Cleaned the crap out of the wheel well.

Everything was going smooth (Ok, still having some trouble with one of the Brake Caliper's 19mm bolts, but have some penetrating stuff on it now)

I have the passenger side all taken apart - have the nuts that hold the hub section onto the rotor and wheel - but I can't seperate the two.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/jwd-brake1.jpg

So, what's the best way to do it?

Figured I'd post a before and after of the wheel well. At least have made some progress...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/jwd-brake2.jpg

Hmm, removing all of the bolts holding them together should do the trick. I can't remember, but I am guessing that the rotor slides over a lip, maybe some tapping with a hammer will free them up.

You have to remove the hub to remove the rotor. Some pix @ http://vintagebus.com/howto/brakes/front/index.html and http://vintagebus.com/howto/wb/index.html

While not specifically for changing rotors, you can see what it takes to get the hub off.

I removed the 8mm bolts - didn't realize I'd have to take the hub off the spindle at this point...

BTW - Thank you!

Yep! Gotta remove the hubs.

Yuppers. Just finished a whole brake redo on my SC. maiden voyage was tonight, in fact. Took my hibs off and the hats fell off (after removing the bolts) nice and easy.

I can't even get off the GD dust cover!

Jeremy, othes use a punch, or just a BFH, but my weapon of choice is the XL-channel lock pliers from Sears. Ther're bigger than the standard size ones, and pull those suckers off no problem.

I use 2 hammers. A claw type and the other doesn't matter. Place the back of the claw against the hub so that the teeth are on the cap joint.

Then gently hit the head of the hammer with the other hammer, working 180 degrees apart. Hitting the head will force the claws to grab the cap and the back of the hammer being curved forces the cap out.

Thanks - I will try that - The channel locks I was using just wasn't cutting it - I've never seen a dust cap on so secure! I gave up last night - I sprayed some penetrant on it last night so hopefully will be easier today.

Jeremy

What did you use to clean the wheel well? Looks great. I was cleaning mine and found lots of black streaks going up and down in there that really do not want to come off.

Seeing your brake job, I might wait till another weekend (but still itching to do it so we will see) as I want the P car available for the Parade.

Thanks - I used simply green and a pressure washer. full strength Simply Green. I also sprayed some engine cleaner and a stiff plastic brush to get the cosmoline (?) off, rinsed off well. That's beautiful stuff - sort of like waxy grease. I can't wait for the kids to take a nap so I can tackle the rest - Mom is out of town (as in their Mom, my wife) ... I'm still a little intimidated about the wheel bearings - never done that one before.

Jeremy, get a 2" muffler clamp from an autoparts store for a dollar and then put that in the groove on the dustcap, then you will have something to pry against. It works great and is off in no time.

Great Idea - I might even have one of those here

Don't let the wheel bearings intimidate you, show them who's boss... ...Really they are not that tough.

I tried the channel locks - I even have a large pair. No budging. At one point I thought I was going to pull the car off the jackstands. Tried the hose clamp too - no mas. Finally tried the two hammer treatment - an Yippee! Both bubs off - new brake lines already installed.

I still have to get the inner bearings out and races - I have read about heating the hubs in the oven - and freezing the new bearings - Then I have heard others that just beat them out.

Anything I should be careful with? The new brake rotors and rebuilt calipers and new pads are good to go.

Good luck Jeremy. Sounds like you're off to a good start. And that wheel well does look great after cleaning. I'm planning on rebuilding the front calipers on my '88 Targa (also Diamond Blue) in the next couple of weeks, so am anxious to follow your progress. I also wasn't aware you had to remove the hub to get the rotor off.

Cheers...Bruce