How To: Replace your rotors

[draggin_az]

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A 355nation How To presented by
draggin_az

Project Name
Rotor replacement

Project Description
Replace your worn out rotors

Skill Level
Moderate

Project Vehicle
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Colorado 2wd Z85
Year: 2006
Engine: 2.8L
Power windows: No
Sun Roof: No

Tools Needed
Impact
3/8 ratchet
1/4 ratchet
Big screwdriver
torque wrench
15mm socket
13/16 socket
11/16 socket
swivel/universal
7mm socket

Project Time
~ 2 hours

Project Cost
$80

step 1. jack up your truck and pull your rim off.


step 2. take off bolts circled with a 13/16 socket. I had to brake them loose with a torque wrench.





step 3. once the bolts are out you will be able to remove your brake calibers. mine didnt exactly come off so i took my big screwdriver and pried it off.



step 4. with a 11/16 take out the 6 bolts. in the pic you will notice 3 are missing. thats because i started taking them out before i took the pic. yours should have all 6 in there.



step 5. with a 15mm socket remove the 4 bolts on the back of the spindle. those 4 bolts hold your your hub and rotor to the spindle.



step 6a. time to disconnect your ABS sensor. unbolt with 7mm



6b. with a screwdriver unhook whats circled in white. whats circled in red is where the plug is for your ABS connector. i used a screwdriver to push the little things in then pushed them through the hole.



6c. here is the switch. push in the end and pull.





step 7. now for the tricky part. this takes 2 sets of hands. person 1 - grab the bottom of the rotor, lift up and pull out at the same time. that way your ABS senor clears the top/back of the spindle. slowly pull the rotor and hub out. person 2 - as person 1 is pulling the rotor and hub you are to feed the sensor cable through the spindle. work as a team.

step 8. lay the hub and rotor face down. pull the dust shield off then the rotor off the hub.





the new and old rotor side by side



step 9. reassemble in reverse order.

[brewer15650]

Nice job inch pincher thanks

[mwcky2204]

gOOD JOB bLAKE

[unicknn]

hell yea man nice write up!

[1BADI5]

Very nice Blake!

[CUZICAN]

Nice right up, but for future information, for you or anyone else doing this, you should never let the caliper hang by the brake hose like that. Always tie it up with a wire, string, or zip tie, to keep the weight off of the hose connection. Letting it hang like that by the brake hose can damage the brake hose and cause more problems.

[thethein11]

Nice Blake this does not seem that hard to do at all

[Hood Star]

Nice write up. Very easily understood.

[draggin_az]

thanks everyone.

the hardest part is braking the bolts loose. once your past that your golden

Originally Posted by CUZICAN

Nice right up, but for future information, for you or anyone else doing this, you should never let the caliper hang by the brake hose like that. Always tie it up with a wire, string, or zip tie, to keep the weight off of the hoe connection. Letting it hang like that by the brake hose can damage the brake hose and cause more problems.

I thought about that but as it was hanging I started tugging on it to test if anything would come off or break and nothing did. those lines are strong. their fine hanging there.

[thuffy1]

Sweet write up! Was a bit concerned with the ABS sensor assy as I have read they are easily damaged on the '06 and before. I just bought new Cross drilled and slotted rotors w/powerstop pads off Epay and got them Friday, did not have time to do them yet so this post was great timing thanks again and good write up!!!

[Grizzly716]

I'll be doing my brakes next month for the first time, thanks for the write up its gonna come in handy.

[amoore117]

how much different is this from doing a 4WD? is it just the axle nut that has to come off?

[colorad08]

Question: I'm currently doing mine right now and the 6 nuts that are on the front of the rotor won't come off, but it is hard to get a good turn cause the whole thing spins with it. I'm wondering what is the easiest way to be able to get a good turn on them?

[DustinJ88]

Originally Posted by colorad08

Question: I'm currently doing mine right now and the 6 nuts that are on the front of the rotor won't come off, but it is hard to get a good turn cause the whole thing spins with it. I'm wondering what is the easiest way to be able to get a good turn on them?

I used a pry bar or axle handle to wedge the rotor in place.


How To: Remove Hub & Rotor for 2wd Z85 brake change

[DustinJ88]

Originally Posted by amoore117

how much different is this from doing a 4WD? is it just the axle nut that has to come off?

Here's the 4wd How To created by dings-n-dents:
How To: Front Hub/Wheel Bearing Replacement

[colorad08]

Originally Posted by DustinJ88

I used a pry bar or axle handle to wedge the rotor in place.

Thanks buddy! I should have thought of that..

[draggin_az]

Originally Posted by colorad08

Question: I'm currently doing mine right now and the 6 nuts that are on the front of the rotor won't come off, but it is hard to get a good turn cause the whole thing spins with it. I'm wondering what is the easiest way to be able to get a good turn on them?

Originally Posted by colorad08

Thanks buddy! I should have thought of that..

i didnt even think about you guys doing this buy hand sorry man. i used an impact on everything except for the bolts on the back of the rotor

[VanBremen]

Great post. You really helped me out! Just a warning to others that have to replace the rotors: It's a gigantic pain in the a$$ and set your entire day aside if you want accomplish it.

[05 bow tie]

Im looking into doin brake performance rotors, how much abuse with the hub take if i have to beat them off the truck. I spray the backsides with penetrant any chance i get hoping it helps. But I wanna know would it be worth having extra hubs and sensors just in case or can it be done without breaking shit ?

[2005xtreme]

Great write up! I love how Chevy decided to go all Toyota and require you to have to pull half the truck apart to swap rotors...def my least favorite part of this truck thus far