Stupid question - How do you get the rotor off the hub!?

[RSchwarzli]

Yeah, really. I am asking that! LOL



In the 10 years I have had the truck I have only had the rotors changed once, and that was done by the dealer.



Now its my turn. And its not going well!:-laf



How does one get the bloody rotor off the hub? Service manual ironically just says remove..... Do I need to press the studs out of the hub?



I had the hub off, just could not see how the two are to come appart.



Thanks!

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Robert



You can press the studs out or - what I did was to use an aluminium drift and used good old heavy hammer to pound them out. I supported the hub with some 4X4 pieces (to avoid warpage) then forced them out. I used the same process in reverse to install the new ones. I've had no problems of any kind with this system - past or present. I also used this system to help my neighbor install my old rotors on his truck.



All you need to do is make sure that the force is on the stud and not the hub. If you want a blow by blow description let me know and I will walk you through it over the phone.



Bob

 

[dclassens]

I second... . I do this all the time on our ford trucks at where i work. An air hammer sometimes makes it a little easier but this is the correct procedure.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Thanks guys. I will do just that.



Bob, I will let you know if I royally screw something up when I try again on the weekend (need the truck during the week... . put it all back together!) and need to call you! Thank you VERY much for the offer!

 

[ENafziger]

I also always used the hammer and 4x4 method.

Then one time, I was doing ball joints on another vehicle at the same time. The ball joint press worked perfectly for installing the studs into the hub/rotor!

Since the one end of the BJ clamp has a hole in it, it allows the stud to press right through!

Here's a pic:

#ad


--Eric

 

[HHhuntitall]

I also always used the hammer and 4x4 method.



Then one time, I was doing ball joints on another vehicle at the same time. The ball joint press worked perfectly for installing the studs into the hub/rotor!



Since the one end of the BJ clamp has a hole in it, it allows the stud to press right through!





--Eric

Ditto on the BJ press. It cost enough, it needs to be used for all you can!! I've also used mine for pressing in shock bushings... ... I've also used my shop press on the studs. If the studs pull through the rotor, too, the shop press seems to work better to seat the studs, to me. I've got an old dually wheel I set up on the press for the studs to go through..... I have used a BFH and some wood when given no choice..... the old power wagons used to be a real b*$ch!! Something about being 30 years old and never having had the rotors taken off. Go figure.

 

[RSchwarzli]

I like it! Ball joint remover..... Would have been easier to have done the BJs with one of those vs a C clamp and socket like I did!



Maybe its time to invest in one.