Archived Reomoving Rotors. Little help?!

[Dartman]

PART 1 First time remomoving front rotors. Manual said to remove four hub bolts behind spindle. I did this. Yanked (with my hands) on the hub/rotor assembly and it came out with the axle/knuckle assembly. Thought no big deal. Got the rotor and hub off the knuckle, slid the axle & knuckle back into the axle housing , seemed to seat all the way (knuclke is flush with housing flange), but now my front diff fluid is leaking out of that end. (Drivers side) Is this normal until I have the whole assembly back together? Seems to me it shouldn't leak as long as the axle is seated.



PART 2Second thing: Do I have to remove the damn hub assembly from the rotor just to turn the rotor for a brake job?! I am assume so. Just I have to press out the lug studs to remove the hub/bearing. :{ Thank you in advance for any inputs. It is going to be a long night.

 

[dwitner]

Hub Removal

Get ready for a REAL good time. I have found the best way to remove the hub is to get an air hammer with an impact socket on it onto the bolts that you have left in the hub. If you dont have an air hammer the only other way to remove the hubs is with a sledge to the back of the rotor, forget turning them after that, until the hub comes loose. A LOT of penetrating oil helps the process but get ready to sweat.

 

[McCRam]

You may have damaged the axle seal when the axle came out, or when you put it back in. It might still leak until you get the hub and rotor assembly back on though, (the seal is next to the pumpkin in the axle tube). Some machine shops can turn the rotors with the hub still on. Call around, I'm sure you can find someone who can do it. A Brake shop like midas would be a good bet.

 

[Dartman]

"You may have damaged the axle seal" Man,... ..... I sure hope not! I didn't slam it back in. I got it seated pretty good after the first post and didn't leak until I started to rotate it. Then, it wasn't much. Looks like it will be okay. Seated it good and will see what it looks like overnight. Is that seal hard to replace in the pumpkin? Might have to find out if it still leaks! Thank you McCRam!



dwitner: Had started ponding on one of the studs with the lug nut threaded on and a socket over that. Was budging a bit. But you are right: It will be a sweaty job if I have to go that route. :{ I called Checker and said they could do it with the hub installed. See what happens tomorrow.



Thank you guys again.