04 XLT 4x4 rear rotor removal

[Tygershark76]

I have read through other posts about the removal of the rear rotors for '02 Explorers but nothing regarding the '04s. I can't get the damn rotors off of the E-brake either but there seems to be no way to relieve the pressure. I have it disconnected at the driver junction but that doesn't do the trick. I have a rubber mallet but I can't seem to get enough leverage to break it loose. Any ideas or answers where I can release the pressure from? I am working the passenger side right now but will be replacing all four rotors today (if I can get this one off). Thanks all!

 

[dford]

rotor removal

There is a cover plate about the size of a quarter on the backing plate at the bottom-- pry this off and you will have access to the adjuster for the ebrake.

 

[Tygershark76]

I have been looking for an elusive plate cover but can't seem to find one. I will head back out and give it another look, thanks.

 

[Tygershark76]

There are two possibilities that I think I may have come up with.

1. On the passenger side at the 4-5 o'clock position.

2. One about the size of a quarter and the other going through the mounting bracket and then into the backing plate.

Neither gives a lot of working room and are just depressions in the metal and not scored for easy removal. Are either one of these it?

 

[dford]

the adjuster is at 6 o'clock

 

[Tygershark76]

There is nothing there but a flat backing plate. Maybe I can get a pic and post what I am looking at.

 

[Tygershark76]

Got it all apart and back together. Went out for a drive and hear the grinding of the rotors. There is the distinct smell of brakes when I stopped from the burnishing drive. Could this be a very bad sign? I do not know if it is the e-brakes that just need adjusting or the bedding of the new Duralast Gold ceramics on the new Duralast rotors. Anyone else have these problems?