Removing Brake Rotor Hubs

A wheel hub is the component which a vehicle's wheel attaches to. Just behind the wheel hub is the vehicle's brake components. Removing the wheel hub is necessary to access and perform repairs on the vehicle's brakes and wheels cylinders. Even if the brakes and wheel cylinders are in proper working condition, removing the hub is necessary to ensure that the bearings within the hub are properly lubricated. Follow these steps when taking on this maintenance project.

Instructions

1

Loosen each lug nut which holds the tire to the wheel hub with a wrench. Take care not to remove the lug nuts at this point.

2

Use a floor jack to lift the vehicle up. Ensure that the jack lifts the vehicle at a secure location under the vehicle's frame. Consult the vehicle's owner's manual to locate the precise jacking location.

3

Support the weight of the vehicle by placing jack stands underneath the vehicle.

4

Remove the lug nuts that were loosened in Step 1, then pull the tire and wheel assembly away from the vehicle.

5

Remove the grease cap located in the center of the wheel hub. The grease cap can be removed by prying it free with a flathead screwdriver.

6

Remove the single cotter pin located directly behind the grease cap by grasping the circular end of the pin with a pair of pliers and pulling the pin out of the assembly.

7

Remove the lock nut located behind the cotter pin by turning the lock nut with a wrench in a counterclockwise direction.

8

Remove the adjusting nut located behind the lock nut by turning the adjusting nut with a wrench.

9

Slide the washer located behind the adjusting nut away from the assembly to remove it.

10

Pull the wheel hub away from the vehicle to complete the removal process.