What's the best way to get off a stuck brake rotor?

Started taking my front brakes apart to work on the S550 brake swap.

Passenger side rotor came right off, but the driver's side one looks like it's rusted on there good and won't budge.. I sprayed some PB blaster around the flange and into the space around the wheel studs where I could, but what's the best option here? Heat the face around the studs with a propane torch and hit it with a mallet, or what?

Probably gunna need more heat than propane torch can provide, I usually use an oxy acetalyn torch and get the rotor nice and red then give it a couple smacks with a mallet.

Get a big hammer and smack it. I've never needed heat to get a rotor off. Don't use a shitty little roofing hammer or anything.

BFH, it's not rocket science.

I ran into the same problem on an old jeep I had a few years ago. I used my good ole harbor freight special five pound sledge to knock it off the hub

hit that motherfucker with a hammer like a fucking man

Go on you-tube and search stuck rotor. Had the same problem with my 2012 F-150. All the heat and hitting it with a hammer didn't work. Used a couple of jacking screws and pushed it out from behind. The most easiest way to get it off.

dans08gt said:

Go on you-tube and search stuck rotor. Had the same problem with my 2012 F-150. All the heat and hitting it with a hammer didn't work. Used a couple of jacking screws and pushed it out from behind. The most easiest way to get it off.

Click to expand...

I've worked on cars before that had a separate threaded hole in the face of the rotor exclusively for this (and IMO all rotors should be made that way). How can you do it on these ones though?

Anyway, I wasn't sure about breaking out the BFH because I didn't want to risk cracking or breaking the rotor just in case I still needed it.

Use the caliper mounting holes, a long bolt or two, and a couple nuts

That'll leverage it from behind

after you get the rotor off. don't forget to clean up the oxidation on the hub where it meets the rotor then a light coat of antiseze lube. if you don't do this chances are the rotor will be even harder to remove next time.

Wes06 said:

Use the caliper mounting holes, a long bolt or two, and a couple nuts

That'll leverage it from behind

Click to expand...

dans08gt said:

Go on you-tube and search stuck rotor. Had the same problem with my 2012 F-150. All the heat and hitting it with a hammer didn't work. Used a couple of jacking screws and pushed it out from behind. The most easiest way to get it off.

Click to expand...

These. I had the same problem. Went to youTube, found the video and worked super well and super fast.

The jacking screw method worked like a charm. I think the PB Blaster helped start on the rust but once I put some pressure on it with the bolt it popped right off.

Thanks fellas.

Glad to help. Saw the same video a bit back and seemed to be easier then just hammering away at it

AnotherS197GT said:

Get a big hammer and smack it. I've never needed heat to get a rotor off. Don't use a shitty little roofing hammer or anything.

Click to expand...

+1

skwerl said:

BFH, it's not rocket science.

Click to expand...

+2

RocketcarX said:

hit that motherfucker with a hammer like a fucking man

Click to expand...

Quote of the day!!

I have a 10lb sledge for getting rotors off.

Assuming I don't care about the rotor any more.

Wes06 said:

Glad to help. Saw the same video a bit back and seemed to be easier then just hammering away at it

Click to expand...

Never seen that way done before. Might try it next time, but smacking the hell out of them is a good stress reliever if you are replacing the rotors anyways.

I tried using a 5 pound sledge hammer on my front rotor a few months ago and it still wouldn't budge. Bought a couple longer bolts and used the jacking method and it popped right off. One of the best little tricks I've learned through YouTube.

Well, as I stated before, the BFH method has worked for me in the past, but my curiosity got to me, and I had to see what you guys were talking about. This really is a great tip that I had not thought of/known about. And I'm sure it's easier on your rotors than the BFH, if you plan on re-using them.

Sometimes I think a steady, even pressure like you can apply with the bolt is better than the quick, sharp blow of a hammer. Of course, sometimes putting pressure on something and then whacking it with a hammer can be the difference between getting it loose and not, also (been in that situation too).

Make sure if you plan on returning using the rotor. Have something solid between the bolt and the rotor or else you'll scar the surface