Rotors

[mfurrh55]

Has anyone removed frozen rotors from their truck, if so how did you do it , been fighting them for couple days now, went ahead and pulled hub off but still can't get the rotor off , will have replacement hubs in a couple of days, but need the rotor to put on new hubs, I've used loosely goosey , wd40, pb blaster , pullers , I'm stuck as bad as they are trying to figure out how to in stick them, any ideas I'd appreciate it, Monte

 

[seafish]

I have used "Kroil" penetrant with great results for removing any number of rust frozen parts.
That being said, are you rotors in such good shape that you don't mind reusing them...perhaps new rotors are in order to go with the new hubs??

 

[GrantP]

I've had good luck with a 5 lb sledge but the rotors weren't happy afterward. I'd suggest (along with seafish) just getting new rotors since you're already replacing the bearings and save some trouble. They're not that expensive.

 

[BarryG]

I used a five pound sledge and a 1x4 smack the heck out of it spin it a few inches repeat over and over and over

 

[JR]

If your set on saving them, shock forcing within the lug pattern is an option. I've got several different sizes of brass round stock for jobs like this. I have a 5/8 x 8" long shot I'd probably use with a bfh. For really big swings hold the round stock with a pair of channel locks "just in case"
You could also try two hammers, holding a ball peen up against the rotor and shock it with another hammer.

 

[mfurrh55]

Yeah I'll check, just spent 1100.00 on front end parts, aS coming back from the floods just north of Chicago, pulling my disaster relief trailer and got the dreaded death wobble 65mph right next to 2 18 wheelers" had to drive 93I miles with it happening every 69 to 80 miles, bottom ball joint was bad steering linkage went south, figured I'd replace everything including axle ujoints, Thanks for suggestions, Monte

 

[Ozymandias]

Use heat, heat up the disc to 400+°C and they will fall of by itself. And can reused that way, every other try with hammer, puller or other will harm them for sure.
And install them on the new hub with some copper paste.

 

[MarvGibbs]

I was fighting same problem last year on my truck. I eventually use the combination of a puller and sledge hammer. Tighten the puller as tight as possible then use the sledge to smack both the center bolt on the puller and the rotor, then turn the rotor and repeat. After some work I finally got the rotor off but I had destroyed the hub. As you are planning on replacing the hub that shouldn't be a problem. As stated above you should plan to replace the rotor after this procedure as they will be trashed.

 

[mfurrh55]

Thanks Ozzie, I'll give that a try and if that doesn't work ill just buy some new ones

 

[cerberusiam]

Buy new ones, if they are seized that bad you cannot just tap them off with a shot load hammer they are a problem. The front rotors should never seize that tight unless they are compromised, any attempt to beat or heat them off is just going to further compromise their integrity. They are wear item anyway and the cause of a lot of vibration problems so ANY question requires a replacement.

 

[LFalconer]

PB Blaster in all the stud holes and around the hub hole, tap / hit top of rotor mildly to break rust free, rotors are not that much $ at NAPA or auto parts store. Other guys have said similar things, I usually dont use heat, but since you are rebuilding front end with bearings may be an option. On may last front change using the sledge was the only way to get them off. Good Luck Luke

 

[EDankievitch]

Last set I did I had to burn them off. You can try heating around the hub then beat them off. The rust builds around the hub and locks them in place

 

[B.G. Smith]

Mine were not stuck that bad but I ended up using a thickness spacer and a wedge between the caliper bracket and the rotor and turning half or quarter turn between wedging. bg