I am replacing the pads on my 2004 F-250 6.0 and for the life of me I cannot get the discs off. The Haynes manuel says to remove the caliper and the disc should just come off. What am I missing?
Dave

 

Use a BFH to get them off. I've tried getting them off twice on my truck without a BFH and got nowherez.

 

loosen the parking brake adjustment nut, its probally a little to tight, remember to tighten it when your all done

 

Yeah you'll definitely need to bust out a hammer. I did 4 sets in the past month, and only 1 rotor came off with no extra effort.

 

yup...wear ear plugs too causing the ringing from the hammer is quite loud...haha

 

Or use a hard rubber mallet so you don't damage the rotor, seeing as he said he's only replacing the pads.

 

Why would you have to remove the rotor to change the pads??

 

To do it properly and resurface or replace the rotors.... even though he didn't say all that.

 

What happens is you get dirt and and other junk that builds up between the rotor and the hub. My rears have at time looked like they were a one piece hub/rotor. Lot's of effort to get the things off. It was especially bad when I lived up North with the salt. I have even used a dremel tool to grind out the junk that had built up between the two combined with a the BFH.

 

Try beating them off with a rubber mallet. I know in Ohio here, mine were basically rusted together. Resurface them while you are at it, and make sure you properly bed them in. Makes a good bit of difference.

 

Get two heavy duty large bolts (long enough to apply even pressure) with nuts. You will also need a piece of heavy gauge plastic or hard wood that won't allow the bolts to damage the rotors. Put the two bolts through the caliper mounting holes nut and (maybe large washer) inside, whith bolt head on outside. Now begin by evenly tightening both bolts againt rotor...once tight...tap easily with mall or large hammer....tighten bolts some more (evenly)...tap...tap...tap...tighten...tighten...t ighten...you get the idea...just about the only way to get them off and still salvage the rotors. Good luck.

 

Worked like a champ . Thanks for the tip. This site has saved me from doin irrepairable harm many times.
Okay....
I disconnected the emergency brake right underneath the chassis located at about the drivers seat. The front and back brake cable segments were joined together with a plastic block. I pulled them together to disengage the cables.
After removing the wheel and caliper, I used only one screw and nut and just moved it back from one mounting hole to the other. The disc felt like it was stuck to the hub. I used the BFH and just tapped/pounded all the way around the disc. After about 10-15 minutes of patient, steady pounding, it finally broke free.
I never noticed that the discs also had the internal drum brakes (emergency brake system), pretty cool...

Fortunately, I had to replace the discs... with Powerslots and Hawk LTS pads... sweeet stoppin power !!!

I looked at the hub and disc to see where the problem was. Rust bonded at the interface between the center hole surface of the disc to the hub. The hub tapers which creates the very tight fit. I lightly greased the center hole of the disc. This is the last truck I will ever own; might as well make it easier next time.