I just got a 2001 XJ and the brakes are waaaay shot. I got new front rotors and pads and started pulling it apart. I thought it'd be a piece o' cake, but I can't figure out how to get the old rotors off. I read the excellent front brake tutorial by BowTieGuy3 and it looks like the rotors should more or less fall off easily (it wasn't exactly covered in the tutorial). My XJ was from the Chicago area and there's lots of rust everywhere due to the salt on the roads. Am I missing something or do I just need a BFH and/or the "torch wrench" and beat the hell out of the rotors to get them off? Annnnddd, if I use a torch to heat, won't that ruin the sealed bearing behind it?
Thanx,
Chris

 

smack it a few times with a rubber mallet

 

I used a dead blow hammer. Took a number of whacks but they eventually came off.

 

use a real hammer. most will come off with a few whacks, some need some fire, and if fire isnt enough sometimes they will crack and come off in pieces. just make sure the jeep is safely on jackstands when you whack it. try to whack the face of the rotor (but dont hit the lug studs) that usually breaks the rust away

 

BFH !!!

 

It's looking like I might have to use the 'ol torch to get the rotor off. Will the excessive heat damage the sealed bearings behind it?
Thanks again,
Chris

 

Before you get to extreme, double check that you have everything out of the way. I know this sounds dumb but you don't mention it. Have you removed the calipers? If so it really shouldn't be that hard to remove your rotors.
Have you been been spraying them with liquid wrench or PB Blaster?
Then you should be able to just hit them with a hammer turn the rotor 45 degrees and wack it again repeat till it moves. Your replacing the rotors anyway so use a BFH and give them a good wack. Don't use a torch. The heat you'll need will be too high for the bearing and seals. Experience talking here.
Good luck

 

When you get the old rotors off apply some neverseize on the center hub of the new ones to prevent this from happening again.

 

If the original rotors have never been off, there MIGHT be a clip or two holding the rotor to the lugs. If the calipers are off, I take a big freaking hammer (BFH) and hit the edge of the rotor, and turn it, hit it, turn, hit till it comes free.

 

Oh yeah forgot about those.
They may be so rusty you can't see them. Look at the lugs right where they dissappear into the rotor. They'll break of easy enough with a screw driver or needle nose pliers.

 

i just did mine not longo and i had the original rotors on my 00 xj i took the clips off used some liqiud wrench and made sorta a dead blow hammer out of a big c clamp and a jack handle worked like a charm

 

Yup, I PB'd it last night at least a couple of times. I didn't see any clips like were mentioned, so I'll bang away until they come off. Thanks for all the tips. I'll be a regular here on the site. There's a lot of great knowledge here.
I think putting Never Seize on is a great idea, but do I ever HATE that stuff! Just when it seems you have it all wiped off of your hands, etc., you find another splotch of it; usually on the driver's seat or some other place where it will be irritating and (usually) embarassing...
Thanks again,
Chris