Brake disc/rotor stuck on hub due to rust

[maverickdrives]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 29 December 2020 at 20:40

[caelite]

Is it just the handbrake? Or are all 4 properly stuck? Either way try take it for a spin and pump the brakes a bit, it should free them up, however if its all 4 that may be difficult.

[Krikkit]

Sounds like heat is the way, but if it's really stuck then consider the wheel bearing dead by the time you get it off!

[WinstonWolf]

Are you whacking it off or on? Try whacking it on if you haven't. I assume there isn't a retaining screw that you've missed?

[Conscript]

Try heating the hat of the disc? If it expands it might be enough to free it off.

[Smokehead]

A proper 4 lb lump hammer will get it off with a couple of taps.

[JeffreyB]

As others have said, heat is usually the solution here. Use plenty of penetrating oil (better than WD40 for this) put your gear puller on and apply a little tension to it. Heat the disc uniformly with your Propane torch and get it plenty hot. Apply a little more tension on the gear puller and it should release. If seriously stuck use a combination of heat and cold - apply icecubes or a freezing agent spray to the hub and heat to the disc, job done!
If you don't need to save the disc just belt it with a big hammer till it surrenders!

[Sump]

maverickdrives said:

Smokehead said:

A proper 4 lb lump hammer will get it off with a couple of taps.

Would that not damage the hub/wheel bearings or other weak rusted parts?

No. Screw your wheel lug on slightly, them hammer it like a Thai virgin.

[WinstonWolf]

maverickdrives said:

WinstonWolf said:

Are you whacking it off or on? Try whacking it on if you haven't. I assume there isn't a retaining screw that you've missed?

didn't exactly whack it but hammered it in both directions from front and back with mediocre force. We did this for an hour while taking turns but it refuses to come off. There was also only one screw and I took it off.

Does it move at all? Is the spigot face in good condition? You could try cleaning the spigot up with a wire brush or a bit of emery tape if you have it.

Use the mallet "around the clock", whack it at 9 then 3 then 6 then 12, repeat until it gets bored and comes off

[JM]

I've resorted to using an angle grinder to cut a disc off in the past.

Though thinking more about it I think it was on the rear.
Needed a full re-build of the hand-brake shoes and fittings as well as new disc/drum.

[Byff]

I had a similar problem and penetrating oil, heat and whacking it simply didn't work. I had to turn the steering to get access to a small section of the rear of the disc, then use a dremmel with a small grinding wheel to remove the rust lip a bit at a time.

Horrible job that took virtually all day, but luckily, the drivers side just fell off with no trouble.

[Jimmyarm]

Stop fannying about and hit it.

[The Surveyor]

maverickdrives said:

Can you suggest penetrating oil other than wd40? Thanks.

Any penetrating oil will be work better than WD40 as it tracks through the rust. Be careful that you don't let it (or the WD40) creep into the bearing though as it will ruin the grease. Good luck

[jamieduff1981]

Use proper penetrating oil, heat and violence. WD40 isn't penetrating oil.

[austinsmirk]

had all 4 discs renewed on my car last week. the local garage said it turned out to be one of the hardest jobs they've done- same problem- front disc stuck to hub.

chap told me they cut the disc into 4, pie shaped pieces to get it off. I guess they had many tools to hand to try first too, like pullers etc.

I was delighted- I'd priced the parts up and thought of doing it myself (I was a mechanic donkeys years ago for a bit) but I genuinely can't be bothered now- it only cost £100 more for the garage to do it, plus day off work and the hassle. as it turned out, a lucky decision.

good luck.

[Gary29]

Escalate the violence with the lump hammer until it is persuaded to remove itself.

[bobbo89]

Could be really and jack the car up, get them spinning and then stomp on the brakes hard!

[lostkiwi]

jamieduff1981 said:

Use proper penetrating oil, heat and violence. WD40 isn't penetrating oil.

^^^ This ^^^
Plusgas, duckoil, 50/50 ATF/acetone....
WD40 is a Water Dispersant (hence the WD).

[ChocolateFrog]

Personally I've never had a problem using a lump hammer. Start tapping at alternate sides and work up from there, only once have I had to go for the two handed grip.

[RizzoTheRat]

I had this trouble some years back and after copious use of PlusGas I was worried that if I hit it any harder with my lump hammer I'd knock the car off the axle stand. Gave up and took it to a garage who spent a while belting it with a much bigger hammer before using angle grinder to cut a slot in it and then chiseling the thing off.