Need some Help. Replacing rear brake rotors...and they won't come off the hub!
09-17-2011, 10:55 AM
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Need some Help. Replacing rear brake rotors...and they won't come off the hub!
Changing out my stock junk for some PowerSlot rotors and Hawk LTS pads.
One snag. The rear rotors incorporate a drum-style E-brake inside the hub. The e-brake is released, I can spin the rotor by hand.... but it will NOT come off the damn axle. Both sides are the same way.
I've used brake cleaner, a hammer.... nothing works.
Used the search,..there are lots of write-ups for pads, none for rotors (I think I see why.....).
$0.02 MUCH appreciated.
One snag. The rear rotors incorporate a drum-style E-brake inside the hub. The e-brake is released, I can spin the rotor by hand.... but it will NOT come off the damn axle. Both sides are the same way.
I've used brake cleaner, a hammer.... nothing works.
Used the search,..there are lots of write-ups for pads, none for rotors (I think I see why.....).
$0.02 MUCH appreciated.
09-17-2011, 02:22 PM
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09-17-2011, 03:09 PM
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JK Enthusiast
Like above mentioned there is a slot on the backside of the rotor to loosen the parking brake. There is a little gear that you have to turn to loosen the brake. Once its been loosened you should be able to just pull the rotor off....with a little force perhaps. I had to do that to get mine off a few weeks ago.
09-17-2011, 03:18 PM
#5
JK Super Freak
Spray some rust penetrent into the places where the lugs come through the rotors and also where the center of the axle comes through the rotor. Let that soak a little while and then whack it real hard on the front and back sides to break it free.
09-17-2011, 03:27 PM
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As others have said the right way is to back off on the parking brake via the "star" adjuster. There is a rubber plug on the back plate, remove that and use a brake spoon or wide screwdriver to rotate the "star" adjuster just enough until the rotor simply pulls off.
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09-18-2011, 11:36 AM
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Job completed. Thanks for all the replies. What a PITA that job was. Ended out disconnecting the brake cable from the rear of the drum assembly. I didn't have a brake shoe, and a screwdriver doesn't reach the star-wheel.
Anyhow, the engineer that sat around the water cooler and was like..."hey dude, lets make a rear disc brake setup AND have drum brakes at the same time" should be kicked in the balls! I ended out using penetrating oil, a hammer, AND disconnecting the parking brake cable. The rotors were really rusted. It's a crappy design.
Anyhow, all is good now. New brakes work great. Thanks again for the replies
Anyhow, the engineer that sat around the water cooler and was like..."hey dude, lets make a rear disc brake setup AND have drum brakes at the same time" should be kicked in the balls! I ended out using penetrating oil, a hammer, AND disconnecting the parking brake cable. The rotors were really rusted. It's a crappy design.
Anyhow, all is good now. New brakes work great. Thanks again for the replies