Yes, i mostly know what i'm doing...
having said that, i need advise on getting the rotors off the axle stub on my 2004 Ram 1500 4wd 4.7L V8 Magnum. (80k miles)

The rotors simply will not come off.

From what i can tell, there is nothing holding the rotors on except rust.

It feels that there is some play though.

Here's my question. How exactly does the emergency brake work. my rebuild book does have ANYthing on e-brakes (lame). If there is a worn lip into the inside of the rotor, how exactly do i get the rotors off?

Thanks for any help.

FYI, i've talked to about 5 different part stores around town that say i need a puller and that rust could be holding it on. Unfortunately nobody (not even the CAT renter) carries pullers that go up to 14 inches. So i'm screwed there. I called the Local Dodge dealer and they said i have to drill out screws to get the e-brakes off? WHAT?!

This is a 30 minute job... why the F would i have to drill screws?

thanks.

 

My daughter's toyota (gasp!) minivan had that problem a few weeks ago. I sprayed a can of penetrating oil on it, waited a couple of hours for it to soak in then went to work on it with a 5 pound hammer. It took some gentle persuasion but eventually it came off. If you try this and you use a hammer just be sure to rotate the rotor every hit or two in order for it to come off evenly.

 

start by looking at the lugs. There may be a star lock washer on one of them. I know I have them on the fronts. if that doesn't work, like kingsman said, try a hammer around the lug area. A few good taps and it should come off.

 

wait, wait, wait... you might need to back the parking brakes off a little to allow the drum to slide over them... yes, i said drum; inside the rotor hub there is a drum that the p-brake shoes run in... go to the backside of the hub and pull off the little rubber cover off so you can get at the star adjuster for the parking brakes... take a screw driver (or the proper tool if you have one) and back it out a little, this will allow the shoes to retract some and the drum/rotor to slide right off. the adjuster on the driver side is on the top and the passenger is on the bottom
DONT do what i did and beat and pry them off, you will knock the cheap *** shoes off and then have to replace them whitch is a pain in the ***! (not to mention those shoes are $50!
good luck. hope the adjusters arent rusted

 

100% what Cheapbeater said.
Backing the internaly mounted e-brake shoes off from the rear hubs, will let you have more space inside to get the hub off a lot easier.
But, still be prepared to knock the snot out of the hubs, to get them to pull off.
There will be lots of road and brake dust debris holding those suckers on. No amount of penetrating oil will get to where they are actually stuck on, so don't IMHO bother with that.
Give a good solid flush clout around the rear hub with a 2-3lb club hammer, then rotate the hub slightly and bash it again repeating as necessary. Work around the entire circumference of the hub and you will see all the crap and dirt, start to fall out. As you do this, try to wiggle the hub away from the axle.
Take your time and they will eventually come off.
Hope this helps?
Al.

 

Good info to know! I didn't realize the park brake was set up like that.

 

i agree with Cheapbeater..Backing the ebrake tension off will allow them to collapse enough to allow you to pull the rotor off. There may be a groove on the outer edge that is holding them on.


wooohooo 5,000 posts

 

you'd know right away if it was rust, or if it was the brake assy.
Rust wouldn't allow any movement at all. E-brake would let the rotor jiggle a bit.