Just about to give up on this brake job
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
Just about to give up on this brake job
This car is being an absolute ***** right now. I'm hoping, once again, you oh-so-very helpful guys here can help me out before I burn my car to the ground.
The screw from my previous thread is now out thanks to a set of screw extractors. I appreciate the help!
Now, I'm working on the driver side rear rotor and I cannot, for the life of me, get it off. Obviously all the lug bolts are out aswell as that torx screw. It is so rusted it's almost like the rotor is welded on.
Here are the methods I've tried:
-Beating the rotor with a hammer
-Kicking the rotor with my boots
-Jerking it violently with my hands (any more violent and the car would have fell off the jackstands, or so it seemed)
The rotor didn't budge, so I got desperate:
-Taking the MB factory jack and wedging it between the rotor and subframe (jacking it sideways.....jack is now minorly damaged)
-Taking a flathead screwdriver, wedging it in one of the ventilation fins and prying the rotor (screwdriver is now bent and damaged)
-Running all the way to Sears Hardware for a Propane torch. Torch helped out, but the rotor is still stuck (and I hope to god my wheel bearings aren't damaged)
The rotor is loose and moving, but still on very tight.
All in all, this brake job has been a nightmare and next time I'd gladly pay the stealership a few extra bills and have them do it.
All help is appreciated.
The screw from my previous thread is now out thanks to a set of screw extractors. I appreciate the help!
Now, I'm working on the driver side rear rotor and I cannot, for the life of me, get it off. Obviously all the lug bolts are out aswell as that torx screw. It is so rusted it's almost like the rotor is welded on.
Here are the methods I've tried:
-Beating the rotor with a hammer
-Kicking the rotor with my boots
-Jerking it violently with my hands (any more violent and the car would have fell off the jackstands, or so it seemed)
The rotor didn't budge, so I got desperate:
-Taking the MB factory jack and wedging it between the rotor and subframe (jacking it sideways.....jack is now minorly damaged)
-Taking a flathead screwdriver, wedging it in one of the ventilation fins and prying the rotor (screwdriver is now bent and damaged)
-Running all the way to Sears Hardware for a Propane torch. Torch helped out, but the rotor is still stuck (and I hope to god my wheel bearings aren't damaged)
The rotor is loose and moving, but still on very tight.
All in all, this brake job has been a nightmare and next time I'd gladly pay the stealership a few extra bills and have them do it.
All help is appreciated.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 927
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From: Covington wa
05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11
I think one of these would do the trick.
http://www.nextag.com/OTC-OTC7403-St...2F523E3C924495
You can get one at Sears
http://www.nextag.com/OTC-OTC7403-St...2F523E3C924495
You can get one at Sears
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 7
04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
My rotors were on pretty good too but remember.. they are only riding on the center hub that's all.. SO..
turn the wheel outward, and whack on the inside of the rotor, and turn the rotor so that you get to whack it from two angles.. Normally it only takes a few really good hits with a really good hammer and off it flies...
don;t try this with some small happy meal hammer cuz the car will just laugh at you...
Hit it Tuurn, HIt it turn, Hit it, turn.. It'll come off..
Also try spraying Wd40 or something around where it its on the hub to help it out a little.
Don;t get frustrated my friend... It'll come off.. I have to travel tomorrow, if I don't for some reason I'll be down to help you get this behind you.. I have business with the passport office anywayz...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 9
From: Toronto
V12TT
THIS HAPPENED TO ME TOO. I used a dremel to make the bolt flat head compatible like this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/EVIAVHJ8LFEP28723U/
Then from the top edge of the stripped bolt used a flat head and hammered it anti-clock wise. that did the trick. MAKE SURE YOUR FOOT BRAKE IS OFF this releases the tension form the rotor and the bolt.
GOOD LUCK!
http://www.instructables.com/id/EVIAVHJ8LFEP28723U/
Then from the top edge of the stripped bolt used a flat head and hammered it anti-clock wise. that did the trick. MAKE SURE YOUR FOOT BRAKE IS OFF this releases the tension form the rotor and the bolt.
GOOD LUCK!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: california high desert
2003 S500, 03 C240, 03 E320, 03 tahoe
were you replaceing the rear rotors too?
the "E" brake has got to be released,i think the rotor uses the inside of itself with a small set of brake shoes for the e brake.this would explain why the rotor has broke loose but wont come off.if this was the problem than have a couple of beers and relax,then finish the job.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
the "E" brake has got to be released,i think the rotor uses the inside of itself with a small set of brake shoes for the e brake.this would explain why the rotor has broke loose but wont come off.if this was the problem than have a couple of beers and relax,then finish the job.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 7
04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
the "E" brake has got to be released,i think the rotor uses the inside of itself with a small set of brake shoes for the e brake.this would explain why the rotor has broke loose but wont come off.if this was the problem than have a couple of beers and relax,then finish the job.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
Yup, it was on. I was horrified when I found out since I thought I damaged my parking brake.
I finished the brake job and the parking brake seems to be working fine. New brakes feel good.
Once again, thank you guys so much for the help.
I finished the brake job and the parking brake seems to be working fine. New brakes feel good.
Once again, thank you guys so much for the help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 9
From: Toronto
V12TT
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 7
04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
Congrats on a good job!!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: california high desert
2003 S500, 03 C240, 03 E320, 03 tahoe
im wishing,hoping,asking for all diy'ers
i know it is another $100,but if everyone had the "star library service dvd" we would all be doing alot more successful maintanance tasks and with the use of this forum make owning these fantastic cars out of warranty a breeze.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
I have heard too many different bedding in procedures. I'm just gonna go easy on the brakes for a while and avoid heavy braking.
