Rotor Not Coming Off - What to Try Next...??

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Replacing the warped front rotors on my '01 Saturn.

The Pass. side is not coming off at all. Sprayed PB Blaster about 20 times on all the studs, hub & on the inside.

Using a large maul and slamming it hard from the inside while rotating for almost a 1/2 hour -- no go!!!

What should I try next...??

Thanks!
 
Are there any small holes in it where you can insert screws and use a puller? If no, take a heat gun and heat it up and give it a few more whacks with the maul. Heat makes ANYTHING move.
 
Put the wheel back on, but don't tighten the lug nuts all the way. Let the car roll a little, then step hard on the brake. This will break the rotor loose from the hub. You could also wait a day and let the penetrating oil do its job. Then hit the rotor with a heavy rubber mallet.

You should clean the hub well with a wire brush before installing the new rotor.
 
Nope, no puller holes.

Moved recently, so I'll have to hunt for the blow torch.
 
If you can't knock it loose with a dead blow hammer, I've had good luck hitting the face of the hub with an air impact chisel with a blunt tip. This beaks the rust free and they should fall right off.
 
Originally Posted By: Volvo_ST1
Put the wheel back on, but don't tighten the lug nuts all the way. Let the car roll a little, then step hard on the brake. This will break the rotor loose from the hub. You could also wait a day and let the penetrating oil do its job. Then hit the rotor with a heavy rubber mallet.

You should clean the hub well with a wire brush before installing the new rotor.


This is interesting...

Heated it up so I cannot touch it. Mauled it like crazy - no go. Never had one this bad.

Guess I'll put the caliper & brakes back on and try this.
 
Some GMs randomly have torx screws that hold the rotor in place, FYI. My pontiac did, and my Silverado does.
 
The driver's side came off ok. No screws.

Heat didn't do it.

Volvo's idea didn't do it, partially because the brakes are a little soft or perhaps the lugs were 90% on.

It actually has puller holes
blush.gif
 
You don't want to beat it or heat it so bad it damages the hub bearing.
I did a F150 that stuck like the one you are dealing with.
I used a saws all and cut through it right down to the hub (the saws all goes right through it with no problem),don't saw into the hub but a good deep cut where the flange is then use a cold chisel to split it slightly.
It will come off without damage to the hub bearing.
 
Could you lower that wheel on the ground and turn the steering wheel left to right a bit to knock it free? Sounds crazy, but seems like you tried everything else!
 
The holes have no threads, so they are worthless.

Yea on the heat effects on the hub bearing, I was trying to be careful not to heat too high, but will have to try to heat it again...
 
I have a large 8 inch 3 jaw puller i use to remove stubborn rusted on rotors and drums it works every time.
It is harbor freight item number 40970 $19.99 on sale now for $11.99.
 
Last edited:
I have *never* had a rotor that didn't come off after a couple of shots with a BFH and I've probably done 400-500 brake jobs.

Best,
 
Have you tried having someone PULL HARD on the rotor while you hit it with a big hammer?

I just remembered that I had a few situations where hitting the rotor with the hammer alone did not work, but when I had someone pull hard on the rotor while I hit it, the rotor came off. Also, continuously rotating the rotor and beating it in different spots helped that time as well.
 
Originally Posted By: Ironduke4
I have a large 8 inch 3 jaw puller i use to remove stubborn rusted on rotors and drums it works every time.
It is harbor freight item number 40970 $19.99 on sale now for $11.99.


I may have to order that -- thanks.

Just did heat cycle #2 more PB Blaster and 100 more maul wacks, no go. Even hit it from the front many times, it's locked on.

The inside of the rotor surface looks terrible from hitting it several hundred times.

Ugh.
 
What I would try with the hole(s) that don't have threads is find a bolt that has threads that size and take a ratchet and attempt to screw that bolt into those holes. Sometimes the threads will self tap and catch onto the walls of those holes so that you can pull it. I hate it for you, I've been there with the abnormalities of a routine repair that stops the entire show.
 
Some Ford SUV and trucks are notorious for this,i see guys bust the hub bearings using smoke wrenches and sledge hammers.
On these sometimes cutting is the only way,yours sounds just like it.No problem you will not harm the hub or bearing doing it this way.
 
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