Archived front brake rotor replacement help

[CEpp]

i started to replace the rotors on the front of my 99 ram2500 w/ 104,000 mi. to mine and seems everyone elses dismay i cant get the hub separated from the steering knuckle. and borderline just putting it back together and sending it to the dealership tomorrow. tryed hitting the 4 bolts, tryed beating on it, tryed gear puller, nothing worked, and at approx 6 hrs at it, im done for the night, any help or suggestions that i could try in the morning would help... one more question, what are my odds that when i do get it apart, the bearing comes apart as well?

 

[motohead84]

I just replaced the front rotors on my 01' The old ones just slid right off, and the new ones right on over the hub assembly. Is this not the case with your's?



As for removing the knuckle, I always use a either an air hammer with a ball joint fork on it ( you can borrow them from from some auto part places, i think, or buy one cheap from a discount tool shop for cheap)



When the air tool is not available, You can use the hand held vall joint fork. Just be sure to have a steady hand and a buddy who won't jit you with the sledge hammer.



I have no specific knowledge of your application, but these are the ways i have always used to acomplish the task.



Hope this helps



Andrew

 

[McCRam]

A trick I learned here on the TDR. Back the four bolts out about a half inch or so. Then, with the 12pt socket and a socket extension, turn the steering wheel in to the extension and use the steering to press the bolt through. It helps to have someone else do the steering while you hold the socket in place. I suppose if the hub assembly is still being stubborn you can use the power steering to give a little more oomph, Mine popped right out.

 

[CEpp]

well, 104000 mi and never off, the dealership got them off for me... bad news, $300. 00 plus the $100 i spent on rotors, but it was well spent, because i wasnt in the garage all day cussing and screaming and that made the wife happy too!