Stubborn Rotor

[Dave]

Hello,
Could someone comment on the risk of damaging something on my car if I hit a stubborn rotor with a big metal hammer?
I did a front brake job on my 03 Civic last weekend and I had to hit the rusty rotors with a big metal hammer a lot of time. I didn’t have heat on hands to help. Just to give you an idea the rotor broke in 2 pieces (the hat broke from the rest of the rotor, see photo).
After my job I asked to my self could the big impacts cause damages to the bearing, ball joints, cv joint, or something else?
Someone could help me about this?
Thanks in advance!
Best regards.

Topic

[Mike]

I have never seen any of those parts fail because of even severe beatings. I’ve only seen already loose tie rods or ball joints get looser. I’ve never seen a bearing or CV joint damaged, although you’d think it’s terrible for the bearing. The most damage I’ve seen from doing that honestly is people missing and hitting a stud so the threads have to be fixed.

[Ryan Marvin]

I think you’ll be ok as long as the studs weren’t hit. The bearing would be my main concern. I’d get the tire on it, check it at 6/12 and 3/9 (since I’m assuming you were beating on the left and right, checking for play. If no play, you could check for grinding noises. I typically do this by having both front wheels on jack stands, putting the e-brake on (assuming it works), rear wheels chocks, and rev her up a bit to see if you hear anything with the wheels spinning off the ground. I assume no responsibility if you do this, just be extremely cautious (I can’t express that enough!). If you hear and feel nothing, I’d say you are good.

Best regards,
Ryan

[Gary]

Usually a hammer is the way to go, if the other parts are going to fail or get looser, they were already on their way out as said above.

[Charles]

If you don’t have heat you should use PB Blaster or a similar product to help loosen the rotor where it meets the hub. Just spray and let it soak a while. You should not have to hit the rotor hard enough to break it.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I don’t recommend heating hubs unless it’s a last resort. You could melt the seals in the bearings or liquify the lubricant and cause it to leak out. As for hitting rotors, I’ve been doing it for years and haven’t damaged anything other than the occasional stud. I think you should be fine. Too bad about the rotor though. I’m sure that would have been cool to see as it happened.

[damien381]

Funny Story. I was pulling rotors on an 07 ford F150 2WD and I pounded on the rotor for 5 minutes before I figured out that I needed to pull the 36mm retention nut out of the middle. Came off quite readily once I did that.

If I busted the rotor like that, I would hang it on the wall of my shop. You are a BAD man!

[Author]

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