Hey all - I have a 1998 expedition, 4wd 5.8l , having one hell of a time removing the front rotors. After I remove the caliper is the rotor attached in anyway to the frame?. Just not sure before I start beating on the rotor?

Thanks
Dave

 

Oh, they're attached by forces heretofore unknown by man. Do a search on this forum and you will see various ways--from the creative to the extreme--of getting them off.

Best of luck.

 

After removing the caliper bracket too, they are held on by years of rust and brake dust. If you plan on replacing them, just hit the back side of them VERY hard and after a couple of blows they should come off.

 

I just did this to my brother in law's Expy, what a headache! I have never had a set of rotors stick so bad! I heated the rotor around the hub with the torch, still didn't give, so I heated some more and contined to wail on them, finally the left side rotor cracked and it came off. Well, the right side wasn't going to give at all, so i finally just cut the rotor a bit, such that it would crack, and wailed on it, came right off! Never had to do that before...
Oh, and becareful burning the rotor, don't let the flame go behind it to the topside of the spindle... the ABS sensor gets a little warm....

 

Rotor removal trick

 

that makes sense... have to remember that.

 

Thanks guys, I could not get them off using the trick. Took it to just brakes, did a good job for about $100 more than parts would have cost me.

Dave

 

The easy way to do it is get a 5lbs short handle sledge hammer and beat the hell out of it until it comes off or comes to peices. It worked for me!!!!!!!

 

I purchased a 1998 Ford Expedition that sat in the auction yard for a year before I acquired it. Redid alot of front end work and brake work (I do this to any used vehicle I purchase) I tried a 20 lb maul to remove rotors, did not work. I ended up cutting out a large piece of the rotor with a grinder and using a large pry bar to crack the rotor and they both came off!!

 

1 can of pb blaster, 1 hour of wait time, a small sledge hammer

 

2003/EB/2WD/5.4 30.000mi.
Someone should come up with a catchy name for this trick. Definite lifesaver.
Whoever 1st thought of it should have got the "Nobel Peace Prize".

Jorg