rotor removal

[ga5speed02]

there may be a thread on this somewhere but i cant figure out how to take this rotor off mt 2002 GA SE. like i have changed them befor but on older cars. like i cant figure out how to take this freggin bracket off that holds the pads in there. if i can get this off, the rotor should slide off right??? i see there are 2 bolts behind this bracket but they wont budge. i dont know if i get some help that would mean a lot

[92CamaroRS]

the Caliper Bracket needs to be removed, should be two bolts holding it on behind the rotor. then the rotor will slide right off, get a 1/2" drive breaker bar and the proper socket and grunt, those bolts dont like to come off.

[ga5speed02]

yea my 1/2 inch breaker bar wont fit int he wheel well. lol its too long. i got the bottom one off with my air gun but the top aint movin. im getting so mad at this this simple process. i hate cars todoy. they make them so hord for the do-it-yourselfer to work on them. everything is about money. they want you to take them to the dealership and pay fo it. rotors are so easy to do. this sucks lol

[rixGAphx]

Yeah, it can be a toughie, especially if some ham-fisted novice at Brake-O reinstalled them with an air rachet set to 300 lb-ft :eek:

These bolts are of VERY strong steel, and they have a lonnnnggg thread into the cast iron caliper section.

Get some 'PB-Blaster' from NAPA or a 4x4 parts store, it's like WD-40 on steroids.
Let it soak to break the 'rust bond' between the bolt and the caliper.

Sometimes, you hafta turn the steering wheel so the hub pivots out (or in) to where the breaker bar can get a purchase.
Maybe even position the breaker bar vertically for access.
Just don't pull the car off its jackstands!

Finally, when you re-assemble, use anti-seize compound on the bolt threads, to prevent future 'rust bond'.

Good luck.
-Rick.

[ga5speed02]

thanks guys i go tit. i had to borrow a friend tourch to heat up the lock tight or what ever was put on there. came off no prob with my air tools.

side not: it was the first time they were changed on the car. 22k miles. i went a little past due but i got it.



thanks again

[tenspeed]

I got 40K miles on my original rotors and pads and I'm hearing a little squeel. I know I'll have to fight the bolts because I wanted to pull the caliper to paint it about a year ago and the bolts wouldn't budge. I was afraid that I would break my socket.

Glad to hear that I'm not the only one with tight bolts and I'll have to attack it with my trusty 3/4 pipe extension.

[lc6888]

I changed the rotors on my 99 Grand AM, I think they are the same for 2002 models,

Air tools are prob. the best tools to use when trying to remove these components

[ga5speed02]

it was weird, the calipar bolts wer easy to remove, the bracket ones were the pain. i (well my dad, he is bigger than me) broke a socket. its cracke up the side of it..

anywayi went tot home depot today and bougth a tourch of my own. lol. now if i run into a problem like this ill brun the bitch off lol j/k. but i did get a tourch

[lc6888]

to add from my previous post, PB blaster didn't seem to work well last time for me since there is a flange on the bolt so it doesn't seem to penetrate that well. My opinion, air tools are the best bet:)

luke

[Brandon]

on the side notes thing: Home Depot? We at Lowe's have a name for them: Homo Depot

(seems most people who say "we are going to the home depot because we don't like you guys"... 5 minutes later it always seems you see them tip toing around to avoid you seeing them while they get what they needed and the homo depot didnt have....

[ga5speed02]

oh well. they are all the same to me. plus there is a home de pot (what i call it) closer to me. but they are building a lowes right new that depot so im going to go there.

my dad is a contractor and shops at all these places, he used to love home depot but now goes to lows causr tyhe people are better and the prices are cheaper. home depot jacked up theire prices on like eveything.

but me, put me in any store that sells tools and what not im like pig in $hit. :)