Changing Rotors, is this easy or hard?

I have changed brake pads a few times already to me it is not that difficult, the first time was the hardest, got easier after doing it once.

My rotors will need to be replaced at the next pad replacement, which will be pretty soon. I have never changed rotors before and have no idea how difficult this is in reality. I would not think it is that difficult, but you can see all kinds of gunk and rust on them. The reality of getting them off may be a different story.

So two sides to this, under ideal conditions how easy/hard is it to change rotors.

Flip side, if they are stuck on their pretty good, how hard does this become? I do not have a huge amount of auto work under my belt and never know how hard you can really beat parts to get them off.

What I don't want to happen is to start the job and then be stuck and not able to finish it. I have jack, stands and I believe all the tools I would need.

Car is a 2002, Acura RSX 95K miles.

Thanks

 

This is pretty easy.

You will obviously remove your brake caliper and brackets.

Remove the large cotter pin in the center of that big nut in the middle of the rotor.

Remove the large nut (it usually is NOT tight and can be removed by your fingers)

Pull rotor off.

Your bearings will come out with it, so this would be a good time to replace them as well.

Some bearings just slide out, others you have to take a mallet and tap them out.

 

As said above, pretty easy job but just wondering why not clean them and "turn" them or are they fairly worn down?

 

well they are pretty worn. They have 95k miles on them and are rusted fairly rusted on the edges.

I would just assume do them at this stage when I change the pads all in one shot.


I was really just trying to determine how easy/hard it is. I assume that if I am capable of changing the pads then the rotors should not be any harder.



HotinOKC - THis large nut, I assume I should not tighten it much when I put the new rotors one?

Remove the large nut (it usually is NOT tight and can be removed by your fingers)


Thanks

 

No, do not over tighten it. Usually you tighten it down until it's snug, then back it off about 1/3 of a turn. You just do not want to tight.

 

This car has slide-on rotors.

 

If you have one use it.

 

Easier yet, don't worry about the nut. Take any screws out of the face of the rotor or any serrated washers on the lugs. Beat on the back of the rotor (after using penetrating oil) and the rotor just slides of the lugs.