How to Replace Rotors Step-by-Step

A rotor is a major component in a vehicle's disc braking system. Prior to the 1970s, most American vehicles had drum brakes, in which an internally expanding brake shoe makes contact with the inside of the drum to slow and stop the vehicle. Disc brakes became standard on the front wheels of most vehicles in the mid-1970s. Unlike drum brakes, disc brakes are not affected as much by heat or water. Although disc brake rotors are made from heat-treated metal and will last a fairly long time, you may need to replace them eventually.

Instructions

1

Place a hydraulic floor jack under the frame rails on the end of the vehicle where you wish to replace the rotors. Chock the wheels on the opposite end of the vehicle. Raise the jack until the wheels are off the ground. Place jack stands under each side of the vehicle under the frame rails or under the lower suspension control arms. Loosen and remove the lug nuts with a lug wrench. Remove the wheels.

2

Locate the two brake caliper retaining bolts. Remove the bolts with a socket and ratchet and place them aside. Obtain replacement bolts if the old ones are corroded or the threads are damaged.

3

Lift the brake caliper straight up from the brake rotor. Be careful not to damage the flexible brake line still attached to the caliper. Tie the caliper to the upper wheel house liner out of the way of the rotor with a piece of wire.

4

Remove the two brake caliper mounting bracket retaining bolts with a socket and ratchet. Lift the bracket straight up and remove it from the rotor.

5

Check the face of the brake rotor near the wheel lugs for retaining screws. Remove the screws with a hex key wrench or Phillips screwdriver, depending on what type of fastener is used. Skip this step if the rotors do not have retaining screws.

6

Pull the brake rotor straight off of the wheel hub. Tap the rotor with a rubber mallet to loosen it from the hub, if necessary.

7

Push a new brake rotor onto the hub until it is fully seated. Replace the retaining screws, if applicable. Replace the caliper mounting bracket and tighten the retaining bolts with a socket and ratchet.

8

Unhook the caliper from the wheel well liner and push it back down over the rotor, lining up the mounting holes with the holes in the bracket. Replace the caliper retaining bolts and tighten them.

9

Replace the wheel and tighten the lug nuts. Raise the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Lower the floor jack.

10

Repeat the procedure for all rotors you wish to replace.