Front Rotor
 

Trying to replace rotors on front wheels. According to service records this will be the first time. I changed rears with very little problem. Moved to front and cannot remove the dust cap. Any suggestions?

911Gal,

May sound funny but use two hammers. Place the claw end of one against the dust cap and use the other to hammer the hammer end ot it.

got this trick from someone on this forum and it works everytime!!

Good luck!

Earl

There are many techniques for removing dust caps. I used a large drift punch angled from the inside of the car out (if that makes sense) on the outer ridge of the cap, hit it hard and kept rotating the rotor.

The hammer technique works good sometimes it may need to go in a little before comming off. Keep going around the dust cap prying the cap up a little at a time.

the tech manual shows how to lay a bf screwdriver across the hub, then use that blade as a bottom for your lever, which is another bf screwdriver. work your way around the cap. use the hammer as little as possible
Bill K

This was recently discussed. There is an excellent suggestion using a muffler clamp. Do a search.

Muffler clamp method worked beautifully for me!



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=183349&highlight=wheel+bea ring+cap+removal



edit: not sure on the year range for which this method is appropriate!

I just used a ball peen hammer. Hit it at an angle, from in to out, and rotate the hub as you do it. It starts to easily wiggle out. Use some channel locks to pull it out, or I just used my hand. It's easy!

the link from tswaney is the absolute bees knees....

simple...works....and no "hammering" around things like bearings that don't like this kind of rough treatment.....

- Wil

I just did this on a car that never had the dust caps off before. After much hammering, prying, and swearing on these milspec items I used the method in the link above and it worked like a charm. Get a 2" muffler clamp and a pry bar.

Still trying the clamp method. Nothing else works. This is probably the first time in 20 years this has been removed and it is definitely seized in place. Any other suggestions. Am I the only one with this many problems? My husband says I'm cursed. Beginning to think he's right.:confused:

I manage very well with large channel lock pliers: grab it perpendicular and wiggle up and down. Muffler clamp works great too.
These caps were off before for repacking grease, otherwise the bearings would have burned in 20 years without it.
Consider doing the whole front like bearings, rotors, caliper-rebuild.
That way you know that all is well up front.
The Bentley manual has a good write-up and pictures for the procedure.
Adjust the correct play in the taper-roller bearings with the split-nut (The one with the Allen bolt) according to the specs.

Thanks for all your help. For me the clamp and a 12" pry bar did the trick. After the cap came off everything else was easy.