Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kw · 08-24-2009, 09:03 AM

Hey all,

The rotors and drums are all out of spec, so I finally decided to replace them.

I thought getting the rotors would be an easy job. Most every vehicle I've worked on in the past I had a factory manual. There's one on the way and should be here in a few days. In the meantime I'm flying blind.

Can anyone give me a few pointers on getting the rotors off? Looks like they're pressed on the hub, and maybe a special tool is required to get the hub/rotor assembly off.

Any pointers or tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kurt

tvblazer78 · 08-24-2009, 08:29 PM

You should have a dust that needs to come off, then you will have a nut that you will need to take off then it should come right off..

Sorry!! I just saw that is was a 4x4, is it a 1/2 or 3/4? Pic if you have one.

kw · 08-24-2009, 09:24 PM

This was Saturday afternoon while Bill was passing thru...

Here's a couple I just snapped.

One more:

Put new front pads on last yr, but pedal is getting too much travel. A couple years ago on a trip back from Hatteras I noticed a shhhhh sound come from near the brake pedal under the dash and have to wonder if the booster isn't going. When I had the truck inspected when I purchased it 4 or so years ago, the inspector told me the drums and rotors are at the end of their lives. Truck was purchased with 88k original miles and had always been garage kept, I keep the thing in the driveway for a year and paint is coming off in sheets.

Thanks again for any help. I'm planning on taking the Burb down to Hatteras mid Sept so I'd like to get it taken care of soon so I can road test it out and make sure all is well.

Kurt

tvblazer78 · 08-25-2009, 08:39 AM

So when you take the caliper off can you not slid it of then?

We need some 4x4 guys help..

bigbadjohn84 · 08-25-2009, 08:43 AM

there is a special socket you need to take the hub assembly apart man. its round with notches cut around the outside of it that fits in like a key and the center will spin with it. too bad your not local, Id let you borrow mine you should be able to go down to a local parts store and either rent or borrow the tool you need. they are not that bad expensive though. I think northern tool supply sells them as well.. good luck man

kw · 08-25-2009, 08:54 AM

Yeah, I wish you were closer, too.

I looked over at Northern tool and didn't see anything that looked like it would do the job. The other day I went to the local auto parts store and they had lots of tools for pulling hubs on 4WD vehicles. The one for GM 1/2 ton trucks had 4 prongs sticking out of it, and didn't look like it would do the job as there are 10 notches in that nut on the hub.

Is there any part number or name brand on the tool you have, or would you have a pic of it?

Thanks,

Kurt

bigbadjohn84 · 08-25-2009, 09:29 AM

www.4wheelparts.com they have a wide selection range 17-25 a piece

72 CustomCamper · 08-25-2009, 12:06 PM

First you will need a pair of needle nose pliars. Remove this locking ring circled in red.

Then you can remove the hub assembly.Next you will need a pair of snap ring pliars to remove the snap ring that's holding the stub axle in place. After that you will need the hub socket that has 4 prongs. Remove the outter nut to access the flat 4 pronged hub activation washer. After that you have 1 more hub nut that takes the 4pronged hub socket. Once all that comes out and you have reomved the brake caliper the hub and rotor assembly will pull off. To seperate the hub from the rotor you have to tap out the wheel studs...

Chuck

bigbadjohn84 · 08-25-2009, 01:17 PM

yea. I knew somebody out there had a little more info on that. its simpler than it seems. but as they say, if it was easy everyone would do it lol. most of my stuff is 2wd with the exception of my trusty ol farm rig, the 76 heavy half

kw · 08-25-2009, 01:18 PM

The second snap ring you mention. Is that the one acting as a retainer for that spring?

72 CustomCamper · 08-25-2009, 02:41 PM

You should be able to twist the spring out before you remove the 2nd snap ring...

72 CustomCamper · 08-25-2009, 02:56 PM

I found this break down pic to help you...

Chuck

72 CustomCamper · 08-25-2009, 02:57 PM

Pieces 59-75 come out as a unit. That's the automatic hub assembly...

Chuck

kw · 08-25-2009, 05:15 PM

Awesome. Exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks!

Edit: Torn down in less than 20 minutes. Really helps to have good instructions and a diagram!

72 CustomCamper · 08-25-2009, 10:59 PM

Anytime...

Chuck

kw · 08-29-2009, 11:19 AM

Okay,

Another question here...

I replaced the rotor after driving out the studs, put new bearings and a seal into it as well, and put the old studs back in as they looked OK.

The rotor was still a little loose on the hub but I thought once I get the hub/rotor assembly back on and bearings adjusted I could tighten the studs and get the remaining play out of the rotor.

Didn't happen. So I tore it all down and drove out the studs and it's off the the auto parts store for new studs to hopefully get the play out.

I am assuming any side play will result in vibration or abnormal wear. Correct?

Edit: Never mind. Got new studs and realized the nut was bottoming out on the stud. Washer and pipe cheater took care of it.

Thanks again.

08-24-2009, 09:03 AM	#1
kw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 119	Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD Hey all, The rotors and drums are all out of spec, so I finally decided to replace them. I thought getting the rotors would be an easy job. Most every vehicle I've worked on in the past I had a factory manual. There's one on the way and should be here in a few days. In the meantime I'm flying blind. Can anyone give me a few pointers on getting the rotors off? Looks like they're pressed on the hub, and maybe a special tool is required to get the hub/rotor assembly off. Any pointers or tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kurt

08-24-2009, 08:29 PM	#2
tvblazer78 Low & Fast! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,110	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD You should have a dust that needs to come off, then you will have a nut that you will need to take off then it should come right off.. Sorry!! I just saw that is was a 4x4, is it a 1/2 or 3/4? Pic if you have one. __________________ Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals April 27 and 28, 2012 Last edited by tvblazer78; 08-24-2009 at 08:31 PM.

08-24-2009, 09:24 PM	#3
kw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 119	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD This was Saturday afternoon while Bill was passing thru... Here's a couple I just snapped. One more: Put new front pads on last yr, but pedal is getting too much travel. A couple years ago on a trip back from Hatteras I noticed a shhhhh sound come from near the brake pedal under the dash and have to wonder if the booster isn't going. When I had the truck inspected when I purchased it 4 or so years ago, the inspector told me the drums and rotors are at the end of their lives. Truck was purchased with 88k original miles and had always been garage kept, I keep the thing in the driveway for a year and paint is coming off in sheets. Thanks again for any help. I'm planning on taking the Burb down to Hatteras mid Sept so I'd like to get it taken care of soon so I can road test it out and make sure all is well. Kurt

08-25-2009, 08:39 AM	#4
tvblazer78 Low & Fast! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,110	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD So when you take the caliper off can you not slid it of then? We need some 4x4 guys help.. __________________ Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals April 27 and 28, 2012

08-25-2009, 08:43 AM	#5
bigbadjohn84 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florala, AL Posts: 398	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD there is a special socket you need to take the hub assembly apart man. its round with notches cut around the outside of it that fits in like a key and the center will spin with it. too bad your not local, Id let you borrow mine you should be able to go down to a local parts store and either rent or borrow the tool you need. they are not that bad expensive though. I think northern tool supply sells them as well.. good luck man Last edited by bigbadjohn84; 08-25-2009 at 08:44 AM.

08-25-2009, 08:54 AM	#6
kw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 119	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD Yeah, I wish you were closer, too. I looked over at Northern tool and didn't see anything that looked like it would do the job. The other day I went to the local auto parts store and they had lots of tools for pulling hubs on 4WD vehicles. The one for GM 1/2 ton trucks had 4 prongs sticking out of it, and didn't look like it would do the job as there are 10 notches in that nut on the hub. Is there any part number or name brand on the tool you have, or would you have a pic of it? Thanks, Kurt

08-25-2009, 09:29 AM	#7
bigbadjohn84 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florala, AL Posts: 398	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD www.4wheelparts.com they have a wide selection range 17-25 a piece

08-25-2009, 12:06 PM	#8
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD First you will need a pair of needle nose pliars. Remove this locking ring circled in red. Then you can remove the hub assembly.Next you will need a pair of snap ring pliars to remove the snap ring that's holding the stub axle in place. After that you will need the hub socket that has 4 prongs. Remove the outter nut to access the flat 4 pronged hub activation washer. After that you have 1 more hub nut that takes the 4pronged hub socket. Once all that comes out and you have reomved the brake caliper the hub and rotor assembly will pull off. To seperate the hub from the rotor you have to tap out the wheel studs... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

08-25-2009, 01:17 PM	#9
bigbadjohn84 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florala, AL Posts: 398	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD yea. I knew somebody out there had a little more info on that. its simpler than it seems. but as they say, if it was easy everyone would do it lol. most of my stuff is 2wd with the exception of my trusty ol farm rig, the 76 heavy half

08-25-2009, 01:18 PM	#10
kw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 119	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD The second snap ring you mention. Is that the one acting as a retainer for that spring?

08-25-2009, 02:41 PM	#11
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD You should be able to twist the spring out before you remove the 2nd snap ring... __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

08-25-2009, 02:56 PM	#12
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD I found this break down pic to help you... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

08-25-2009, 02:57 PM	#13
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD Pieces 59-75 come out as a unit. That's the automatic hub assembly... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

08-25-2009, 05:15 PM	#14
kw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 119	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD Awesome. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! Edit: Torn down in less than 20 minutes. Really helps to have good instructions and a diagram! Last edited by kw; 08-25-2009 at 07:59 PM. Reason: .

08-25-2009, 10:59 PM	#15
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD Anytime... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"



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08-29-2009, 11:19 AM	#16
kw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 119	Re: Brake Rotor Replacement '88 Burb 4WD Okay, Another question here... I replaced the rotor after driving out the studs, put new bearings and a seal into it as well, and put the old studs back in as they looked OK. The rotor was still a little loose on the hub but I thought once I get the hub/rotor assembly back on and bearings adjusted I could tighten the studs and get the remaining play out of the rotor. Didn't happen. So I tore it all down and drove out the studs and it's off the the auto parts store for new studs to hopefully get the play out. I am assuming any side play will result in vibration or abnormal wear. Correct? Edit: Never mind. Got new studs and realized the nut was bottoming out on the stud. Washer and pipe cheater took care of it. Thanks again. Last edited by kw; 08-29-2009 at 03:19 PM. Reason: .

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