Stubborn Rear Brake Rotors o n 300E
 

1986 300E,

Having replaced my front pads and rotors recently, I went after the rears today. The calipers are off, retaining bolts removed, parking brakes adjusted all the way "in," but the rotors will not budge. I have sprayed penetrating oil on the hub, and given both sides a pretty good whack with a hammer - no luck.

Are pullers ever used to get these rotors off?

TIA

time ...
 

I had similar trouble in removing the rear rotors. After confirming that the parking brake was disengaged and the rotor spinning freely after adjusting the brakes all the way in, I dripped some engine oil on each wheel stud as well as the opening where the small allan screw that holds the rotor to the hub came out of.

I slowly rotated the rotor allowing oil to seep in. Whilst turning I tapped the rotor with a mallet and a piece of wood (too scared to damag the rotor with a metal to mettal banging). This eventually freed the rotor.

Keep banging and turning the rotor. With a soft surface protecting the rotor you need to bash quite forcefully - it's the shock created that will free the rotor.

happy banging

L

u da man, Louis.

I sprayed penetrating oil as you suggested and let everything sit overnight. Gave the rotors some good whacks with a mallet, turning about 90% between whacks. After 5-6 good blows, both came off. There was a fair amount of rust between the flanges and the rotors, and around the hub.

Look me up if you come to DC and I'll buy you a beer!

glad i could help !!
 

question that now comes to mind:

how do the pro's get the darn thing off without waiting 8 hours for the oil to to their thing .. :)

They beat it useless to get it off and tell you that the rotor is bad.

use the puller
 

1. I use a puller myself see this post : http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/10636-rear-brake-disc-removal.html?highlight=THAI

2. Did the hammer thing years ago and stop because I’m now wiser, things could get damage around there… :eek:

Thai GI sends…

I use a sledgehammer with a curbweight of at least 2kg and give the disc a few good whacks on the "drum" part while applying pressure with my prybar between the disc and something sturdy behind it.
Haven't failed me yet.

I use a sledgehammer with a curbweight of at least 2kg and give the disc a few good whacks on the "drum" part while applying pressure with my prybar between the disc and something sturdy behind it.
Haven't failed me yet.

A (very) light coating of anti-seize paste (or any heavy grease) applied to the mating surface can prevent this problem in the future. Not too much- you do not want the grease to get on the braking surfaces.

Of course, sometimes it is the parking-brake shoes that are holding things up, especially if they have dug themselves a ridge to grab on.