I hate removing rear brake rotors...
 

My Son and I are attempting to remove the rear drivers rotor on his E36 to diagnose a scraping noise at the rear drivers wheel. I like when my Son works on his car. Something we can do together. He took the rear wheel brakes apart earlier in the day, but couldn't get the rotor off. I thought it would be an easy removal, scoot over, let Dad get in there.

Thinking there may be a rock stuck in between the rotor and the rock shield. When we spin the other tire, there are metal powder like particles falling in one spot, so either something is in there grinding the rotor or the hub is going bad. There is a little play in the hub.

So, logically, my Son and I am trying to remove the rotor to inspect underneath. After removing the caliper and carrier, it appears the rotor has bonded with the hub. :no:

He removed the retaining allen bolt on the rotor. He did retract the emergency brake adjusting bar to retract the brake shoes. Not budging. We turned the adjuster in both directions in case we had it wrong. Not budging. :no:

Then we called James for left/right orientation on the adjusting bar just to cross check. Nada. We used a dead blow hammer to no avail. We used PB blaster, heated the hub part of the rotor with a MAPP torch (Lightly), froze the hub, cussed a lot and prayed to the brake gods and still not budging. :mad:

Scribed the area where it is supposed to free up. Heated it up hotter, then used a 4 lb hammer, Now it's a matter of DIY pride... :eek:

No joy... :frown:

Opened the Bentley manual... :rolleyes:

No new wisdom. Searched here, BFC and Fest. No insight. :frown:

Apparently in the six years we have owned this car, we swapped the motor, tranny, suspension, cooling system, trunk, hood, interior bits, headlights, brake pads, but we have never had to take off the rear rotors...

I then looked up the number for a shop I use when I can't figure something out or need advanced electronic stuff. Unless I figure it out before then, it's going in on Monday... I hate sending cars in... :evil:

Stupid rotors... I'm ranting a little. I'll welcome any rear rotor removal advice here.

I hate removing rear brake rotors... :cool:

Take your 4lbs hammer and hit the "hat" of the rotor hub a few times. You don't want to hit the braking part of the rotor unless your going to replace it because hitting it may warp the rotor.

You take your BFH and hit the rotor until the rust is knocked off and the rotor is free. You can hit the hot of the rotor, as said. I also hit the braking part of the rotor, rotate it, and hit again, and repeat.

Good thing I live in rust-free New Jersey where I don't have to deal with this ever.

Yeah, tried that when I heated it up. While we retracted the adjustment shaft. I think the shoes are also caught on the ridge created on the brake drum over time on top of the rotor being siezed. I know I've not removed these rotors previously as there is no trace of anti seize on the hub. Standard practice for me from past battles on rear brakes.

I hate old rear brakes... 👹

I had to take a 3lb mini-sledge to mine. I hit the $h!t out of it before it freed itself...that rust is serious stuff.

OK dudes. we'll start swinging the 4 pounder again. I have spare rotors in the parts locker if we get brutal. I recall having similar issues when I did E30 rear brakes.

O, I also broke a puller yesterday when I wasn't concerned about warping the freaking rotor...

My Son is getting the car apart now to whack the rotor again. Good character building for him. :yes: The thing that sucks is we're working in the driveway and the pollen count is very high and totally screwing with my breathing. Allergies. It's gotta be bad if I don't want to work on the cars... :frown:

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it turns out. :rolleyes:

I hate freaking old rusted rear brakes... :mad:

OK, attempt #2. Up on stands and off stands, start to finish 22 minutes. :wink:

A few squirts of PB blaster while he was taking it apart and five whacks with the 4 pounder on the sides of the hat and it was off. I suspect the PB blaster from yesterday had time to work in and made today's removal much easier.

The rear shoes are at rivets and need to be replaced. The hub is a little loose, but not wobbly. We'll replace the shoes to see if that was the source of the dragging, If not, we'll replace the hub.

Lesson learned here (again) is spray the hub the day before you are taking it apart if the hub rust is holding the #$(%&$ rotor in place. And never be without a good 4lb sledge. :rolleyes:

Thanks everyone! :cool:

Good news! Glad it worked out.

Yup, i'll pick up new shoes and we'll do both sides. Diego will be spraying the passenger side rotor today for disassembly tomorrow.

Ha! lotsa salt there this year I imagine... Thanks! :cool:

I told Diego you said to hit the crap out of it. Bingo! :dance:

Great news! Glad it worked out for you guys.

Ya, thanks Sean! Just finished up replacing the parking brake shoes on both sides, The drivers side rear hub is definitely going. Maybe 2mm of play in the hub. will get to that as well. You still fishing or too busy?

Be well Bro... :cool:

I was swamped with work from November thru February. It has slowed some the past few weeks. Perfect timing tho...Snook Season opened on March 1st. I've been putting on a clinic lately. People just can't seem to hook into these fish like us locals can. Also, I'm currently sunburned from offshore fishing yesterday. We smashed the Red Grouper!
Currently working out a minor cooling issue with Zippy. I think I have it hashed out after adding a new water pump and radiator.
Finally, the s52 build is almost completed. I have a few more parts to purchase tho. It should be ready to drop into the Cali-Top come May or June.
That's it my man...work, fishing & cars. :biggrin: