2003 front rotors

Ando140 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-03-2007, 06:11 PM

Anybody know how to get the rotors off a 2003 Matrix? I was over at my uncle's yesterday and he was trying to take them off to get them turned. We hit them a few times with a mallet and they wouldn't come loose. There's a nut in the center of the hub that looks like it has to come off for the rotor to come off. We looked, and there doesn't appear to be any seam (that would indicate the rotor wasn't connected to the nut) between the nut & the rotor disc.
So... anybody know why the rotors won't come off? Does that nut really need to come off?

lelandstanford · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 08:54 PM

If you rotors are held by Philips screws then you need to remove them first.

Ando140 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 11:23 PM

Didn't notice any screws... where exactly would they be?

lelandstanford · #4 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 06:11 PM

The sixth (smallest) hole is to screw the rotor against the hub.

If you don't have any on the rotor then just bang the rotor out after caliper bracket (if any) is removed. The center bore could be rusted.

Ando140 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 09:59 PM

Yeah, there wasn't a screw right there... is that a Matrix rotor? I don't remember it looking like that at the hub.

mustang67408 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2007, 06:47 PM

They are rusted on, spray some WD-40 or equvilant on the center hub portion and let them sit for 20 minutes then TAP with the hammer again.

DO NOT REMOVE THE NUT. The nut is holding the axle. It does not need to come off.

Ando140 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-08-2007, 09:25 PM

We didn't think the nut should be removed... it just doesn't look like they come off any other way. I'll post a pic if I can get one...
In the mean time, I'll try to get him to try the WD-40 thing and hopefully that'll work.

mustang67408 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 12:35 PM

some rotors have 2 small holes in the front of them.
You can screw 2 bolts into them and "WALK" the rotor off the hub. It will break the rust that is holding it on.

Ando140 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 10:25 PM

Yeah, I think the one on the FSM's diagram did, but not these... all they've got is the lug bolts sticking out of them, no extra holes.

mustang67408 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ando140

Yeah, I think the one on the FSM's diagram did, but not these... all they've got is the lug bolts sticking out of them, no extra holes.

Yeah, some do have them, and some dont.

If worse comes to worse, you can always tap on the back side of the rotor with a hammer. Your going to machine or replace the rotor anyways, and your really not going to hurt it.

Ando140 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 07:44 AM

Well, it looks like he's probably not going to touch them for awhile.. He just cleaned them with brake cleaner and put some new pads on and decided to leave it at that.

mustang67408 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ando140

Well, it looks like he's probably not going to touch them for awhile.. He just cleaned them with brake cleaner and put some new pads on and decided to leave it at that.

AH...

tundrat3 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 04:07 PM

you should never put new pads on without turning the rotors. you need 2 true surfaces in order for your brakes to work to their full potential. your rotors may be warped (90% of the rotors i have turned are, even if its the slightest) this will cause vibration and uneven wear of your pads. not only that, your pads wear grooves into the rotors with time. without removing the lips/edges of rust, the pads will wear faster and uneven.
ok...back to getting the rotors off (for next time). use an air hammer/chisel with a blunt tip and air hammer the center of the rotor (not the part where the pads come in contact with, but where the lug nuts are) this will free the rotor EVERYTIME. you CAN spray the seam of the rotors with penetrant but it is best to do so b4 hand ie; the day before or morning.
WARNING...NEVER hit the part of the rotor where the pads come in contact with! not only can you break the rotor, but you can indent it past the turning point...ie; you cant lathe past the dents. (someone had mentioned earlier to hit the back of the rotor with a hammer....do NOT do this....or you may find yourself running (literally) to the auto parts store.
although you can place a small peice of 2x4, lie it flat against the back of the rotor and hit the wood instead of the rotor. just dont want to see people spending more money then you have too....not bashin ne1!

Ando140 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tundrat3

you should never put new pads on without turning the rotors. you need 2 true surfaces in order for your brakes to work to their full potential. your rotors may be warped (90% of the rotors i have turned are, even if its the slightest) this will cause vibration and uneven wear of your pads. not only that, your pads wear grooves into the rotors with time. without removing the lips/edges of rust, the pads will wear faster and uneven.
ok...back to getting the rotors off (for next time). use an air hammer/chisel with a blunt tip and air hammer the center of the rotor (not the part where the pads come in contact with, but where the lug nuts are) this will free the rotor EVERYTIME. you CAN spray the seam of the rotors with penetrant but it is best to do so b4 hand ie; the day before or morning.
WARNING...NEVER hit the part of the rotor where the pads come in contact with! not only can you break the rotor, but you can indent it past the turning point...ie; you cant lathe past the dents. (someone had mentioned earlier to hit the back of the rotor with a hammer....do NOT do this....or you may find yourself running (literally) to the auto parts store.
although you can place a small peice of 2x4, lie it flat against the back of the rotor and hit the wood instead of the rotor. just dont want to see people spending more money then you have too....not bashin ne1!

Apparently my aunt & uncle's Matrix isn't the only thing with this problem... have a look at this thread:
Interesting Pontiac brake rotor dilema.....
(someone actually posted a link back to this thread)
The guy has a Pontiac Vibe (which is a Matrix that says Pontiac instead of Toyota), same exact problem. This guy took it to the shop and they determined that the rotors are not removable.
See my uncle and I aren't nuts... they really made some like that...

mustang67408 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 09:51 PM

ALL TOYOTA MATRIX ROTORS are removable.

You can use a hammer or should I say Rubber mallet (sorry bad choice of words) and it will not dent the rotors, your right a metal hammer would dent the rotors and that is bad.