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Home › Pontiac › 2001 › Aztek Base, AWD › Repair and Diagnosis › External Pages › Different car › Section 1004 (Disc Brake System) › Repair Instructions › Brake Rotor Replacement - Front › Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
    NOTE: Any new rotor must have the protective coating removed from the friction surfaces before being placed in service. Remove the protective coating using denatured alcohol or an equivalent, and wipe the surface clean with clean cloths. Do not use gasoline, kerosene, or other oil base solvents which may leave an oily residue. This residue is damaging to the brake lining and is flammable.
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Remove the front wheel hub extension, dual wheel vehicles only.
    1. Insert a drift or large screwdriver through the brake caliper into one of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the rotor from turning.
    2. Mark the relationship of the front wheel hub extension to the hub.
    3. Remove the front wheel hub extension bolts.
    4. Remove the front wheel hub extension from the vehicle. It may be necessary to tap around the perimeter of the hub extension with a rubber mallet to loosen it from the hub.
    4. Fig 1: Front Wheel Hub Extension
    GM947927Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  4. Mark the relationship of the rotor to the hub.
  5. Install a C-clamp over the body of the brake caliper, with the C-clamp ends against the rear of the caliper body and the outboard disc brake pad.
  6. Slowly tighten the C-clamp until the pistons are pushed into the caliper bores enough to remove the caliper from the pads.
  7. Remove the C-clamp from the caliper.
    8. Fig 2: Compressing Brake Caliper Pistons
    GM370154Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic's wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.
  8. Remove the brake caliper and brake caliper bracket as an assembly and support with heavy mechanic's wire or equivalent. DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flexible hose from the caliper.
    9. Fig 3: View Of Brake Caliper & Brake Caliper Bracket
    GM924321Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  9. Remove the rotor retaining push nuts from the wheel studs, if applicable.
  10. It may be necessary to strike the end of the hub or the rotor with a deadblow hammer to separate the rotor from the hub.
  11. Remove the rotor.
    12. Fig 4: View Of Front Brake Rotor And Hub
    GM370132Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  12. If the rotor is difficult to remove due to corrosion in the hub area use the following procedure to remove the rotor, 25 and 35 series only.
    1. Clean all the surface areas and the threaded holes of contamination.
    2. Generously apply penetrating oil or the equivalent to the hub/rotor area.
    3. Insert two M10 x 1.5 bolts or jack screws into the threaded holes of the rotor.
    4. Tighten both bolts evenly to force the rotor from the hub.
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