2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Brake Disc/Rotor Change on 2002

[RHoppe]

Can somebody tell me if the rear brake discs/rotors come off the hub like the fronts ? or does the axle shaft have to come out to replace ?? I looked in the manual, and it sounds like a big job... . axle shaft removal . . ?? Can anyone explain the procedure ?? Also what are your thoughts on Power Slots Rotors, and Hawk pads ??



Thanks for your help,



Randall

 

[ILIANBG]

Yes, good question. I would like to know that too, as I am thinking of doing the same. Thanks.

Ilian

 

[Jong]

It's a little different. After you jack the rear up, remove the rear wheels and start on one side at a time. Take the rear axle shaft out by undoing the 8 bolts in the hub (they have loctite on them so use an impact) and remove the rear axle. Don't lose the steel shim gasket behind the hub flange. Now remove the caliper and hang it out of the way and remove the caliper mounting bracket. Now there is a huge nut holding the hub and rotor onto the rear spindle. I think I ended up using a 2 9/16 rear axle socket, I can't remember, but the necessary socket is fun to find. The hub and rotor should come off relatively easily. To separate the rotor and hub you'll need a BFH and a brass drift. Have fun!

 

[AMikesell]

The job is more time consuming than big, just about anybody that has some mechanical knowledge should be able to do this job. I did this job on my dad's 2001. 5 and it took me 4 hours with a run to the parts store to pick up some replacement rotors, I also did this at college for an assignment and they had all of the tools. I do not think that I removed to axle shafts to do this job, so you may want to look at how the caliper and bracket are mounted on there and just removed them and then try to remove the rotor, it may save you some time and money if you do not want to buy the socket. Hope this helps, Andrew.

 

[rubberneck]

Whoa, hold on, you DO NOT have to remove the axles to get the rear drums/rotors off of our trucks from 98 up. The earlier trucks had internal rear brake drums that required you to pull the axles out to get the hub and drum off. On the later model trucks, the drums (or rotors as is your case) are externally mounted and all you have to do is pull of the tire, remove the caliper and pull the rotor off. Now that being said, they tend to rust to the hub, and may require some gentle persuasion BFH to get them off. Now here is the issue. IMHO depending on how many miles are on your truck, it is worth pulling the axles. This way you can repack the wheel bearings and replace the axle seals. It really isn't that bad of a job, and if you dont do it, you risk losing a seal and ruining your new brakes. I tend to go through brakes quite often, about every 25-30 K, so i pull the axles every other time and repack the bearings. just my . 02

 

[SnoKing]

I would have thought that the rear wheel bearings got lubed with rear diff. gear oil! They are packed with wheel bearing grease? SNOKING

 

[RHoppe]

Whoa, hold on, you DO NOT have to remove the axles to get the rear drums/rotors off of our trucks from 98 up. The earlier trucks had internal rear brake drums that required you to pull the axles out to get the hub and drum off. On the later model trucks, the drums (or rotors as is your case) are externally mounted and all you have to do is pull of the tire, remove the caliper and pull the rotor off. Now that being said, they tend to rust to the hub, and may require some gentle persuasion BFH to get them off. Now here is the issue. IMHO depending on how many miles are on your truck, it is worth pulling the axles. This way you can repack the wheel bearings and replace the axle seals. It really isn't that bad of a job, and if you dont do it, you risk losing a seal and ruining your new brakes. I tend to go through brakes quite often, about every 25-30 K, so i pull the axles every other time and repack the bearings. just my . 02

rubberneck, thanks for the info, my brother is coming to visit in a week, and we'll take a look at this. I have 65,000 on, and as I look through the wheels, the rotors are uneven with small grooves, from sand and gravel, etc. It's hard for me to do this alone, as I am paralyzed from the waist down.

How hard is it to replace axle seals ?? any special tools needed ?? Can we really screw something up??or is it pretty straight forward ?? I have a Factory Manual.



Thanks,

Randall

 

[PC12Driver]

I'm curious as to which trucks need to have the axle shafts removed and the hub pulled to get to the rear rotors. I'm certain that mine does, and I know the factory manual says so (5-21) for both the 2500 and 3500s. But I think I've also read about some fellows that have done the job and not needed to. Maybe it's a D70/D80 thing, or maybe a 3500/2500 thing?

 

[TMWeber]

Guys, it is a very simple job. The rotors on the rear of 01. 5- 2002 come off the same as the rotors on the fronts. Simplest brake job I've done. No shaft removal.

 

[RHoppe]

Guys, it is a very simple job. The rotors on the rear of 01. 5- 2002 come off the same as the rotors on the fronts. Simplest brake job I've done. No shaft removal.

TMWeber,



Thanks again for the info..... I was hoping it would be the same as the fronts !!! What do you think about Power Slots Rotors ??



Randall

 

[Ragain]

Yep..... But if you have a 3500 w/Dana 80, axleshafts will have to be pulled. Lucky you... . and your 2500!

 

[rubberneck]

Dont know about the Dana 80 duallies, but the dana 80 single wheels come right off. I think the reason it may be confusing is that a lot of times they do not come "right off" They tend to rust to the hubs pretty good and can require some muscle to get them off. But none the less you do not need to pull the axles on the later trucks.

 

[AKAMAC]

He has a 2500 auto. All he needs is a chisel and hammer to split the star-clips off the studs to remove the rotors. Mike

 

[GCULP]

what about the internal E-Brake shoes that run on the inside of the hat shaped rotor, wouln't you want to replace those as well.

 

[Makensmoke]

I'm also curious as to packing the bearings that are wet with diff lube. ?

 

[PC12Driver]

I'm also curious as to packing the bearings that are wet with diff lube. ?

That's just for the initial installation until the lube can travel out to the axle ends.

 

[DBoyd]

Whew! Good deal. I thought I had to pull the rear end apart to pack the rear wheel bearings with grease. I have 70K on the truck and have replaced the diff lube with Amsoil synthetic.

I am in the process of replacing the knuckle spindle unit and wheel bearings on the pass. side of the front end. A darned expensive punishment for not packing the front wheel bearings at 36K.

I went ahead and replaced the ball joints too because the rubber boots had completely disintegrated.