Advice needed: removing rear disc without damage

[Mr_E85Bim]

Today my plan was to spend a few hours replacing the rear handbrake shoes and painting rear calipers.

I failed in removing the rear disc. It appears to be quite firmly stuck in place. From an invoice and condition of the discs I know they were replaced around two years ago. Being in good condition I fear damaging them in being too forceful with a hammer.

Any tips on how to go about it?

 

[enuff_zed]

Start with the stupid questions: is the handbrake off? Have you removed the retaining bolt?

Use a rubber mallet and strike the centre hub fairly hard all the way round while wiggling the disc.

 

[smorris_12]

Wot he said but, if they're properly on there, club hammer.

When rears are really stuck, jack up only one side (leaving the wheel on the other and on the ground), remove disc retaining screw, start engine, fully turn off DSC, accelerate up to about 40/50mph and then declutch and jump on the brakes. Inertia will break the seal.

When putting back together a thin smear of copper grease around the hub boss will make the job easier next time round.

 

[Mr_E85Bim]

Thanks Gents.

I can confirm both handbrake was released and retaining bolt removed. I could spin the disc with my hands so I know the shoes aren't gripping it.

Smorris, what you're describing sounds a little scary for my novice skills :rofl:

I will invest in a rubber mallet and then give it another go.

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks Gents.

I can confirm both handbrake was released and retaining bolt removed. I could spin the disc with my hands so I know the shoes aren't gripping it.

Smorris, what you're describing sounds a little scary for my novice skills :rofl:

I will invest in a rubber mallet and then give it another go.

So it sounds that simply the corrosion between the disc and the hub is holding it on then.
Try hitting alternate sides of the disc, back towards the hub then from the back, knocking it forwards on opposite sides.
Effectively you are trying to 'rock' the disc on the hub.

 

[patriot66]

If I cannot remove a rusted on disc then the following always works for me. Get two substantial bolts, each 3 to 4 inches long that will fit through the holes in the caliper carriers behind the disc and insert from the rear and place an appropriate nut on each bolt in the gap between the disc and caliper carrier. Then trap a flat piece of scrap steel between the ends of the bolts and the back face of the disc. Carefully and slowly wind the head of the bolts alternately, pressing the scrap piece against the disc and forcing it away from the hub face. The corrosion bond will break fairly quickly and sometimes with a bang. Remove nuts, bolts and scrap piece

 

[Mr_E85Bim]

Thank you both.

I will give it another go and try these techniques. I hope I won't need to resort to finding suitable bolts and scrap steel :driving:

 

[Pondrew]

I had some really stuck discs. There is a youtube video on how to make a makeshift 'puller' or 'pusher' from a piece of 8mm threaded rod (or long bolt) and a couple of hex nuts. I did that and they came off easily without bashing seven bells out of everything.

 

[enuff_zed]

bashing seven bells out of everything.

Excuse me! I think you mean 'percussive adjustment?'.

 

[Pondrew]

Excuse me! I think you mean 'percussive adjustment?'.

Yeah that too!

 

[Mr_E85Bim]

bashing seven bells out of everything.

Excuse me! I think you mean 'percussive adjustment?'.

:rofl:

 

[FunkyGBrown]

We had this at the weekend with my friends Mazda... Took a hammer to it and it came straight off.. as mentioned, percussive adjustment. :driving: