Replacing front rotors on my 04 that I bought recently. They were worn beyond repair and I don't mind getting it done. I couldn't get them off. I soaked them with Blaster for 6 hours, tried a 2,4,8 lb sledge and the bolt trick through the caliper holes on back, but the bolts snapped. Air chisel didn't shock them loose either. I feel like my only option is to put it back together and drive it to the shop about 6 miles away. I've beat on the rotors so much that I don't even know if the calipers will go back on, let alone with the old pads too (which are bare!).

So my question is, can I drive it to the local shop with either A: calipers left off and tied up, B: should I at least a put the calipers on with no pads, or C: try to get it back together as much as possible?

I would think C, but the rotor surface is so dinged up and scratched that I can't even imagine the horrible sound or drive ability of it like this.

Thanks. First post so go easy!

 

Is the 2004 a "new body" or 2004 Heritage?
2wd or 4x4?

I would avoid doing any sort of driving on it in its current state. I guess if you "have" to drive it, I'd say calipers hanging, with blocks of wood inside so you can still safely generate hydraulic pressure for the rears.


The reason I ask about body/drivetrain, there may be something you've overlooked on how to get the rotors off

 

New body style, 2wd. I removed the brake caliper bolts from the back and from the several videos I watched, that's all there is to do. I am contemplating buying the "complete" rotor set that includes a bearing attached that is about $40 more dollars at Advance. If I were to do this, does the bearing assembly remove just by the 4 bolts on the back, and the vacuum line?

 

There is no vacuum line on a 2wd. The rotor is NOT removable on a 2wd, it's a one piece rotor and hub assembly.

However, Centric makes a kit that replaces it with a separate rotor and hub, which uses the 4wd rotors.

 

Non-Heritage/New Body 2004 2wd has a large hub nut behind the metal dome cap. Torque on it it's like 260 ft lbs

 

2 videos I watched mentioned the vacuum line and the process of connecting the new ones that come on the hub assembly, so that's where I got it from.

I was offered the option to buy the rotor separately or with the hub attached as a "complete".

So you're saying just undo the center nut and it will come off as one piece? Or in addition to the 4 on the back that will remove the rotor/hub assembly?

 

Just the center nut.

 

Im on track now. I think my youtube searching led me down a path of 4wd vids. Thanks

 

You got it! At least you got a good workout with all the hammer banging!

 

I recommend you buy the Centric 2 piece replacement kit, so if you ever need new rotors again you can remove them separately like you would on a 4wd. Here are the hubs and spindle nuts:

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/f...wheel+hub,7632

CENTRIC 12465901 Wheel and Hub Components; One Retaining Nut Info
Fits Front; RWD; 6 Lug; New Model; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service w/ Spindle Nut; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 7 Lug; New Model; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service w/ Spindle Nut; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 6 Lug; From 12/04; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service with Spindle Nut
Or Front; RWD; 7 Lug; From 12/04; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service with Spindle Nut

$10.32

CENTRIC 12465903 Wheel and Hub Components Info
Fits Front; RWD; 7 Lug; New Model; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service w/ Hub Only; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 7 Lug; Fr 12/04; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service with Hub Only

$71.79

CENTRIC 12465902 Wheel and Hub Components Info
Fits Front; RWD; 6 Lug; New Model; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service w/ Hub Only; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 6 Lug; Fr 12/04; Improved 2 piece Design, Rotor Sold Separately Service with Hub Only

$77.79

Here are the rotors:

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/f...hub,rotor,1896

CENTRIC 12165101 C-TEK Standard Disc Info
Fits Front; 4WD; 7 Lug; From 12/04
Or Front; 4WD; 7 Lug; HD Payload package; New Model; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 7 Lug; Improved 2 piece Design, Hub Sold Separately Service w/ Rotor Only; New Model; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 7 Lug; Improved 2 piece Design, Hub Sold Separately Service with Rotor Only; From 12/04

$30.89

CENTRIC 12165100 C-TEK Standard Disc Info
Fits Front; 4WD; 6 Lug; From 12/04
Or Front; 4WD; 6 Lug; Base Payload package; New Model; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 6 Lug; Improved 2 piece Design, Hub Sold Separately Service w/ Rotor Only; New Model; To 11/04
Or Front; RWD; 6 Lug; Improved 2 piece Design, Hub Sold Separately Service with Rotor Only; From 12/04

$36.79

Those are standard rotors, you can get premium or slotted or high carbon alloy or slotted/drilled if you scroll down farther. As you can see, these are actually the 4wd front rotors.

 

Thank you. I heard of doing this and couldn't find the right parts. I'm kind of in a time bind with needing it by Tuesday. I hate that. Even put back together I don't know how well I could drive 40 miles to work & back before getting another bday off.

 

Why not rent a car for the week? Rock Auto shipping is pretty fast.

 

I may not have the truck beyond 2-3 years. The one piece from Advance for $89 have good reviews. I don't know what kind of mileage to expect from them though. I can do the change later on but for now I need cheap and to be driveable.

 

Got the single piece hub/rotor. Do I need to lube or grease the spindle? Advance said no but that it wouldn't hurt.

 

I usually use a very light film of regular old chassis grease. Make sure you torque the spindle nut to specs, it's pretty heavy, 295 ft/lb. You will need 3/4" drive tools for this.