Im here for help not to get flamed, this is my first break job of 2 years owning my evo 8 i want to do it my self but im a bit confused what is holding the rotor to the hub i have read to insert a screw if its seized but can i just tap it with a rubber hammer any help is appreciated, and what rotos are you guys using and were can i get them its my daily driver.

 

nothing holds the rotor to the hub when the wheel is off except corrosion. But you do have to unbolt the calipers in order to remove the rotor. Usually the rotors have 2 threaded holes about where the stud holes are, and you can insert two bolts (grade 10) and then tighten the bolts to assist the rotor coming off as well as using a BFH lol

 

You can use a hammer if youd like but I always try to stay away from that. There are 2 threaded holes on the rotors that will take a M8 1.25mm threaded bolt. Go to your local parts store and pick some up. I'd say probably about 3/4" long and just thread them into the holes on the rotors. Then use a wrench and tighten them equally and they should pop off with no issues.

 

Rubber mallet, BAM. It will pop off. Steel hammer = f*ck up your bearings so stick with a rubber mallet. Or you can use the bolt technique like stated above but I've always preferred hitting things with a rubber mallet haha.

 

If it's the rears that are giving you trouble, make sure you remembered to release the handbrake.

 

the M8 x 1.25" bolt is the easiest and safest. Make sure they are decently long bolts. spraying some wd40 where the rotor sits around the hub should help loosen it too.

As far as rotors, just get plain centrics, they are more than enough unless you start getting serious about racing.

 

I wouldn't waste my time with a rubber mallet on a rotor you are replacing. I would use a decent size ball peen hammer like 32oz and beat it until it comes off. Spraying it with some rust breaker and using the bolts do help. You don't need to worry if those bolts break either, they will only be stuck in the rotor which is getting replaced. Tighten them alot then beat with hammer. Very simple.

 

I used 2 lugs to hold the new rotor on while I reinstalled the caliper. I'm guessing everyone else does too but it's worth mentioning in case you don't already know.

 

Personally I've seen people mess up wheel bearings from beating on a rotor with a large metal hammer but to each their own. I guess it depends on where you're banging on it. If you bang the rotor by the hub it wouldn't be too bad I guess but slamming it against the side or edge of the rotor would eventually do damage to the bearing.

 

I just noticed the op is from nevada. Yea that rotor should come right off. I live in Massachusetts and with the amount of rust we see here you are wasting your time with anything but a metal hammer. I have worked at a chevy dealer for 5 years and never saw somebody damage a wheel bearing from taking off rotors. I do a brake job every week and never had somebody come back for a wheel bearing

 

Bolt trick works great and definitely dont forget to release the handbrake

 

Bolt trick works!! I use a BFH. Have done hundreds and hundreds of brake jobs and never damaged a wheel bearing, that is just silly.

A rubber mallet as stated is a complete waste of time for a rusty stuck rotor.

 

If you don't have a bolt and the rotor is stuck on there and you need to reuse the rotor, what I do is find a small piece of a wood block lay it against the rotor and tap the hammer on that. It pops the rotor off without damaging it. But ya, as said before, if you get a good seized rotor, a rubber mallet will do nothing but make you look silly.

 

I think I used one of the bolts from either my radiator bracket or my coolant spillover. I forget which one was the correct size but the thread and pitch have been noted here.