How to Remove Front Brake Rotors From a 1997 Chevy 2500

The brake rotors on the Chevy 2500 pickup truck generally are made of cast iron. The rotors are subject to a great deal of stress as you operate the brakes to slow or stop the truck. As you push the brake pedal, the brakes sustain friction from the brake pads pushing on the rotors. The friction wears the brake pads and the rotors. The brake pads will, of course, wear much more quickly than the rotors, but the rotors do wear and you may need to replace them.

Instructions

1

Siphon half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder. Put the fluid into the drain pan for later recycling. Park the Chevy 2500 on a level surface and turn off the key. Place the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Lift the truck with the automobile jack on the side that you will be starting with. Place a jack stand under the Chevy near the jacking point and raise it to the frame.

2

Remove the lug nuts with a lug wrench. Pull the tire from the truck. Remove the brake caliper from the mounting bracket using a socket and ratchet to loosen the retaining pins. Place the jaws of the brake caliper over the back brake pad and the back of the brake caliper and twist it closed, setting the caliper piston into the housing.

3

Remove the locking hub from the wheel assembly using a wrench. Remove the lock nut, ring and adjusting nut from the shaft using a wrench. Be careful that you do not drop the bearings as you pull them out. Pull the brake rotor from the wheel assembly.

4

Place the new rotor on the Chevy wheel spindle. Install the bearings and pack them with wheel grease. Install the adjusting nut and tighten it with a wrench. Install the ring and lock nut. Tighten it with a wrench. Install the locking hub and tighten it up.

5

Install the wheel on the Chevy truck and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the truck and lower the vehicle to the ground. Repeat the procedure on the other wheel.