2016 F150 How to remove brake rotor?

[Jay3702]

2016 f150 with manual emergency brake
I’ve done brakes many times. I’m doing the rear brakes and I can’t get my rotor off the one side. I loosened up the emergency brake sprocket all the way and it’s still holding onto the sprocket. I don’t know what else to try.

 

[6.7 CTD]

Are there holes in the rotor? If so, find the appropriate sized bolt and alternate tightening them side to side. If that doesn’t work, which it should, use a big hammer and hit it from behind if you don’t plan on reusing the rotors.

 

[Jay3702]

No, I don’t have the holes. I did hit it with a small sledgehammer, I’m worried I’m gonna mess up the parking brake by forcing it off. I don’t know why it’s not releasing. This is embarrassing.

 

[6.7 CTD]

Put some safety glasses on and hit the face of the rotor without hitting the wheel studs. You can put the lug nuts on loosely to protect them if your aim is poor. It will eventually come off. You can also take an air hammer (flat face bit) and use it on the face of the rotor between the wheel studs. Worst case, you have to replace the parking brake shoes when it comes off.

 

[Jay3702]

hit it in? I can try

 

[6.7 CTD]

hit it in? I can try

Yes, hit the part of the rotor the wheel mates with. You will win eventually.

 

[Jay3702]

Ok you understand the rotor isn’t rusted on the hub right? It’s the E- brake holding the rotor on. Sorry just checking

 

[CarbonToast]

Are you sure you loosened the adjuster or tightened? I made this mistake on mine.

 

[6.7 CTD]

Ok you understand the rotor isn’t rusted on the hub right? It’s the E- brake holding the rotor on. Sorry just checking

Yes, if you adjusted (loosened) the parking brake shoes as much as possible then this is the solution.

 

[Jay3702]

It’s loosened all the way til it stopped

 

[Jay3702]

Thanks guys. Tomorrow is another day, I’ll hit it hard

 

[Donald]

Are you sure you loosened the adjuster or tightened? I made this mistake on mine.

When you grab the rotor with two hands and try and turn it, does it turn? If so can you pull it out a little bit then something feels like it's being held?

Worst case if best it out with a hammer and whatever part of the parking brake you break will not be very expensive

Do you use the parking brake often?

 

[Jay3702]

Yes I can turn it a little bit. Just wont pull off

 

[Donald]

Yes I can turn it a little bit. Just wont pull off

And you are sure you loosened the adjuster?

 

[Jay3702]

Yes until it stopped

 

[D60]

Yes I can turn it a little bit. Just wont pull off

Turn it or pull it off a little? The shoes would still allow a little in/out movement of the rotor relative to the axle shaft if they are the issue.

If not, the rotor is likely slightly rusted to the axle flange. If you had one I'd say use a drum/rotor puller and hit with a hammer. Either way you're aiming for vibration that will release the bond.

 

[BrianF]

Another way is to leverage the rotor off. Remove the caliper and use a hefty bolt and nut in-between. Just tightened it to pop it free.

 

[dnewton3]

The rotor is just stuck on because the shoes in the parking brake are grabbing the rotor inside.
You will have to force it off; keep pulling and tugging on the rotor - side to side.
I understand that you have loosened the adjuster, but that does not mean the shoes have collapsed inside; sometimes the rust inside overcomes the springs and the shoes won't retract well enough. I also understand that you don't want to break anything in the brake assy; I get that. But it's unlikely that you'll do any real damage; you just have to keep trying.

You just gotta force it.

 

[PontiacHO]

Rust on the axle flange and rotor can seize the rotor on. Heat the rotor “hat” quickly without heating the axle flange. With caliper removed get mean with a hammer from the backside of the rotor. Rotate the rotor 180 degrees and hit it again. Repeat and eventually it will loosen and come free. Typically the park brake shoes aren’t the problem unless the park brake is applied???

 

[Jay3702]

Got it. Great advice guys.