Rotor Removal

Tiny
MFREELAND
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
I am doing a front brake job on my 1999 4WD explorer. After completely removing the calipers, I am unable to remove the rotors from the hubs. The manual I have indicates that the rotors should simply slide off the studs. Should I use a puller to possibly break the rotor loose from the hub? Could corrosion be holding the rotors to the hubs? I have the same problem on both sides.
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 AT 12:33 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Watch this video, even though it is a drum it works for rotors as well.

https://youtu.be/UV0kfP17Co0

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
JUSTDON
  • MEMBER
  • 154 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
Brakes problem
1999 Ford Explorer V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I need to replace the rear disc brakes on a 1999 Ford Explorer. I have never changed rear disc brakes before. Could yu please advise of any special tools or instructions needed to complete this task.

Thank you in advance for your help.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi there is very little diff in rear disc and front on your vehicle. You may have to back the park brake adjuster off some. Other then that. Pretty simple. Good luck billymac
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi justdon,

Thank you for the donation.

If you have replaced the front brake pads before, then this should not be a problem as it is similar.

Remove caliper bolts and use a G-clamp to push the piston back into caliper till it is fully in.

Remove pads and reinstall new pads.

Reinstall caliper.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JUSTDON
  • MEMBER
  • 154 POSTS
Thanks a bunch for the responses. It went well.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVEPERSHING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I am having trouble removing the rear rotors. The front rotors came off easily but the rear won't budge.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,384 POSTS
Try lubrication and a big hammer !

Removal & Installation (Explorer, E150/250, F150/250 & Mountaineer)
NOTE:On all models except E250 and F250, when removing rear brake rotor, it is not necessary to disconnect hydraulic lines.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove brake hose-to-caliper bolt. Remove and plug brake hose. Remove caliper. Remove rotor.
Install NEW copper washers when installing brake hose-to-caliper bolt. Tighten bolts and nuts. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Bleed brakes. See BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PXKATZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
I need to replace the brake pads on all four wheels, and the front passenger rotor needs replacement as well.

Do the rotors need to be replaced in pairs (front & rear) the way the pads do?
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TAURUSWHEEL
  • MECHANIC
  • 718 POSTS
Personally I would replace both rotors, along with the new pads, should give you nice smooth braking, rotors are relatively cheap, buy the cheap ones, you'll notice no difference from the more expensive, I don't care what others say, you'll have a bit more $$$ in your pocket to put toward your next fill-up.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DMAN37
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 192,000 MILES
I changed my brakes and the front rotor on the drivers side was noticeably looser than the otherside. Why is this and should I be concerned about it and not drive it? I have not driven it since putting the brakes and wheels back on today
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
LOL. It's the wheel that holds it on. Once you put the wheel back on it shouldn't move any more.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WOODY_BEVILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • FORD EXPLORER
I replaceed the pads and rotors on my 2002 Explorer 4x4. The brake lights worked fine until the evening after I did the repair. Now the brake lights remain illuminated even with the ignitionswitch turned off and no one in the car. I had to disconnect the battery negative cable to keep the battery from being drained.

Any suggestions?
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
At the pedal you will find the Brake on/off switch, chek to see if it is in the mount, if it is push it forward, then pull up on the pedal, see if this fixes your problem, if not, replace the switch!
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WOODY_BEVILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I checked the brake pedal switch last night, but didn't detect any play in it. I'll double check it with the methodology you described tonight and let you know what I found.

It is very possible that I broke or jammed the switch as I pumped the pedal several times to push the caliper pistons back into contact with the new pads/rotors before I moved the car for the test drive.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCH4570
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
I want to replace rotors and brakes on 2003 Explorer but am having trouble getting the rotors off. Any one have any Ideas. I am currently letting them set with penetrating oil. Tomorrow I will beat them with a hammer maybe I can get them to brake free.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
Did you remove the axle nut first before trying to get the rotor off?
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CANDREWSNC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • FORD EXPLORER
My vehicle is a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. I purchased the vehicle last year with 69K miles on it and now have 73K. Engine size is 4.0 Liter, all wheel drive. I recently had all four tires replaced due to dry rot. The mechanics suggested that I replace the front pads and rotors. The quote for this came to $478.13. How do I determine if this is a reasonable quote? Also, why is there no indication when I drive the vehicle that I need a brake job?
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Every shop needs to charge what they need to stay in business. That quote sounds pretty high. You should ask him why as the are a variety of reasons. Most common in your case would be pitted rotors. You can get a second opinion.
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEFFRD390
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
Brakes problem
1997 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

i need an honest answer on if it would be easy to change the rotors and pad myself or not I have looked at everything and it looks fairly simple
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
It is fairly simple for the DIY type of person. we offer some great repair videos that show you step by step how to replace your own brakes. you can view them at the links below..

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/rear_brake_pads.htm
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Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)

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