removing rear rotors on 2000 explorer

[cfcstl]

I'm in a time crunch so I thought I would give this a try. Being the nice guy I am, I offered to change the rear pads and rotors for a friend today. I have done a lot of front discs but this is my first time at the rears. I was able to remove the pads ok, but I cannot remove the rotors from either side. I removed the rubber plug and backed off the parking brake adjusters, but neither rotor will budge. I have tried tapping with a hammer but nothing,
I suspect the parking brakes are stuck against the inside of the rotor, but how would I loosen them up enough to slide the rotor off?
Any help soon and I can fix the brakes today, otherwise the old pads go back on until I figure this out.

Thanks.

[Doug]

The rear rotors can be a real pita to get off, you really have to pound on them sometimes to break them loose. Hit the center of the axle shaft with a good hammer, you have to work at it, eventually they'll come loose.

[Hokie]

spray a little penetrating oil at the seam between the axle and the rotor... then try tapping on the rotor with a ball peen hammer (remember no claw hammers on metal) or rubber mallet. i never figured out if hitting it hard or just tapping it alot is the trick. but both ultimately work especially if you're replacing the rotor anyway

[Jobesmind]

Tough situation )

I just completed a complete Brake system overhaul on my 99' xt. Not a moment in my life i wish to remember. Rotors are cheap fronts are around $18-34 each (got mine for $18 Each) Rear's were a bit more at $48 Each.... I purchased the XT used and fiqured the previous owner did not have the Emergancy Brakes serviced!!! Which brought me to the shade tree mechanic tactic's (I did try the lube and hammer) which may be the best route for you.

(You may damage your rotors doing this along with your emergancy brake shoes & possible hardware -- Replace it anyway if you have to resort to this tactic!!)

Using a Tire Iron wedge the cut end (like a flat head screw driver) behind the rotor and the open area where the sheild has a gap (dont wedge on the sheild as you will bend it) and begin 'jerking' back and forth. You will hear a small pop or creak after awhile, stop and rotate the rotor a bit and repeat. Never fails.. but only use this when all else fails or when you know the E. brake system has failed horribly or was never serviced and binded to the rotor.

After pulling mine I had 4 brake pads (2 pads that split and seperated) 1 shoe and 1 clip and half of the upper spring fall out with it.. Not to many people pay atten. to the E. Brake system and It can cause alot of damage in just 2-3 years if not cared for..

Hope it helps....



(If you get in a tight spot with the E. Brake and hardware you can totally remove the whole assembly for repair at a later date but I didnt say that it's not good to remove safety features and its illegal in some states .... but it is a quick solution...

[crashmk92]

This is my first time doing the brakes on this car. Can anybody help me get the rear rotors off on this thing? What are they held on by once you take off the calipers? Do I have to take the hub apart? Thanks!

Joe

[chris_miller]

Originally Posted by crashmk92

This is my first time doing the brakes on this car. Can anybody help me get the rear rotors off on this thing? What are they held on by once you take off the calipers? Do I have to take the hub apart? Thanks!

Joe

The emergency brake shoes are inside the rotor. They sometimes wear the inside of the rotor and leave a lip on the outermost side of the rotor and this makes the emergency brake shoes inside the rotor bigger than the outside lip. When you try to remove the rotor the brake shoes are hitting the lip and will not allow the rotor to be removed. Make sure the emergency brake is not on, and that you adjust the emergency brake shoes to the lowest setting. From the back side of the rotor there is a small slot that allows you to adjust the inside emergency brake shoes so turn the adjust pin all the way one way and make sure the drum still turns freely. If this is not the problem, then as above you may just have to break it free from the axel.

Have fun, I know I did.