I have a 04 Screw (newer body). I bought rotors and pads for the front. How much trouble will this be? I have done pads before on a bunch of different cars but never rotors. I had read somewhere that some of these trucks have a nut or something that is not reusable that I need to buy for each side of the truck? Is there a way to guess if I will have to beat my old rotors to get them off? Thanks for any help!

One more thing, does anyone have a good picture of what our rotors look like? Don't ask why lol. I just would like to see a good pic of what my new rotors should look like off the truck.

 

if its 2x4 you have the nut, the bearings will be pressed into the rotors. If its 4x4 then it will go like any other brake job and the rotors should fall off when the caliper is removed.

 

is it a must to replace the nut or can i get away with reusing? I have heard those are $20 a piece?

 

I am not 100% psitive about the nbs, but, I reused mine on my 98 4x2. I don't see any reason that it can't be reused.

 

Well, the spindle nut clearly says "DO NOT REUSE". It's a locknut, so maybe its for safety purposes, with the thought that the "lock"ing part of it is only good for one use. When I replaced my rotors, I bought new ones. However, about 6 months later when one of them had to be exchanged under warranty, I did not buy a new nut again. Just used the same one again.

I really can't see them coming off because of re-use. First of all, you have to torque them to 295 ft/lbs!!! Secondly, there's also a castle nut that goes on top of them with a cotter pin, to keep them from coming loose.

 

OK, went home Fri to try the job and failed miserably. Got the tire off, got the caliper off and laid back to the side. I got the cotter pin out and removed the little cap there. I don't have a socket to fit that huge nut! What size do I need to get? Also, I assume on the back side of where the caliper was attached those two bolts need to come off also? I also didn't have a socket to fit those. All of them were to small or just big enough to cause it to strip. Do those need to come off and what size socket for those? Thanks again for all the help!

 

I don't remember the size, I had to borrow one, it is huge. It may have been a 37mm and it has to be a deep socket.

I replaced my rotors about 32,000 miles ago and I did not replace the nuts and have had no problem. None were available at the time. Since it uses a cotter pin, I have no idea why they say to replace it. I have no idea what you are referring to when you say 2 small bolts. All I remember is removing the caliper, laying it back and then removing the rotor.

 

apparently I am not supposed to remove the two other bolts I was referring to. Glad I asked. I will see about getting this socket for the hub and try again. Hopefully I will be successful the next try. Thanks again for you folks input!!!!

 

Actually IIRC you do have to remove the other 2 smaller bolts. They hold on the caliper bracket, which must be removed in order for the rotors to come off. Again, I could be wrong, but that's what I remember... Also, the size is 36mm for the spindle nut. This is a very common size for automotive use, and almost any auto parts store should carry them.