Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Getting the rotors off, how hard?

About to do a brake job and here's my thoughts, what do you?

41K on the car, all city driving in north Florida and the rotors are starting to show tiny groves.

I want to have them turned and see if they are thick enough to be spun. If not then look at another set of rotors possibly drilled.

How hard is it to remove the front and back rotors?

After resurfacing the rotors I'd like to install the Mintex pads. I'm leaning towards the 1144 but supply might be a problem. Or the green ones, maybe even the Mintex A/F.

Then flush out the fluid with plenty of DOT 4.

I would really like to do the stainless lines at the same time but my accountant (wife) has limited the budget.

Am I missing anything for a basic brake job?

The rotors usually come off real easy once you get the calipers out of the way. Sometimes they get rusted to the hub and need a bit of persuation to get them loose.

I suggest that you get yourself a Haynes manual to help with the brake job. The information there about brakes is outstanding and will benefit you greatly, especially the illustrations.

There no hard at all, but if you do get confused, just do one side at a time so you know how it all comes off and on.

I had 43k on my car when I replaced the brakes, and the rotors were severely rusted to the hub because they had never been removed before. I had to use lots of penetrating spray and a large hammer to remove them. The rotors were in bad shape, and pieces of rust were falling off when I was pounding on the hub surface of them. I had to replace them instead of cutting them.

in florida it won't be a problem to get them off..but here in NY the only way to get them off most of the time is to ruin them by pounding on the back side with large hammer. bad corrosion in upstate NY.

It's fairly easy to remove the rotors, unless you live in an area that uses salt in the winter time (causes things to get rusty). I would think twice about getting the rotors turned - they may be more prone to warping if you do that. Small grooves are perfectly fine - your new pads will eventually wear into them.

As far as the steps to getting to the rotors (on front), do you only need to remove the two slide 7mm/T50 bolts to slide the caliper off, then you can remove the rotor... Is that correct?

Some, not all- have had bad luck with cross drilled rotors especially with an agressive brake pad combo. They can(and have)stress fractured from hole to hole.
Slotted rotors are another option you could look into. you might save some money in the long run.
just my opinion.

well, i have about 43k on my svt, i just replaced my pads and rotors last week...spent about $250 on parts, and had one of my friends replace them for me...it took him no longer than half an hour to remove and replace both front pads and rotors...not that tuff of a job..if i knew it was that easy i wouldve done it myself..i believe there are two or four bolts on the calipers..once you get that off, the rotors should just pop out...i live in chicago, so i deal with rain, snow, and salt, i also wore all the way through the pads and rotors...get it taken care of before its too late...i waited too long, and know i am saving money for a new clutch...that hurts...