Front brake rotors - different size?

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Hello all,

Replacing pads and rotors on a 2002 P5.

I bought some rotors from the auto parts store and when I popped off the wheels to replace them, they were slightly different. The rotors on the car are the factory OEM rotors and have an extra lip around the hub. It also appears that I have to remove the axle/hub nut to get the rotor off (I took a few swings at the rotor with a rubber mallet and it did not budge).

I snapped a quick pic of the OEM set-up before throwing it all back together to go back to the auto parts store. They confirmed that the rotors I bought were correct and told me that it might just be that the factory rotors are different than the replacements.

Any insight/tips on this? I had heard before that there were 2 different rotors used on the P5, but the auto parts store claims that isn't the case.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Keno1542]

you dont need to take off the nut to pull the rotor off, the rotor will probably be rusted to the hub though...it will take a coupla good whacks to get it loose and then it should come right off the studs.

EDIT: As far as the 2 different rotors, i think all P5s had the same size rotors...iirc the es, p5, and mp3 all had the same rotors and calipers

 

[squarelogo]

Thanks Keno, I found it hard to believe that the nut needed to come off, but it looked like it was all one piece and after I took some swings at the rotor and it didn't move I figured it was connected.

The raised black lip on the rotor around the hub in my picture is not on the replacement rotor, which also made me concerned that I had purchased the wrong rotors and kept me from beating on the stockers any further in case I had to order in different ones.

 

[bgibb68]

the rotors should come right off if you have pulled the calipers off.....i have pulled mine before to have them machined

 

[Wagonbacker9]

though I do not know for sure, I believe the black part is actually the hub... this is also whats making them difficult to remove..

 

[Keno1542]

another thing that might help you out is to get a bolt with the correct thread pitch for the tiny hole in the rotor between the studs and screw it in there and it should come free...the hammer should work though

I should also mention, if you are not fully confident in what you are doing, TAKE IT TO A PROFESSIONAL. Brakes are not a place where you want to make ANY mistakes

 

[squarelogo]

though I do not know for sure, I believe the black part is actually the hub... this is also whats making them difficult to remove..

If that is the case, these things are truly fused together. I couldn't find a seam.

 

[squarelogo]

I should also mention, if you are not fully confident in what you are doing, TAKE IT TO A PROFESSIONAL. Brakes are not a place where you want to make any sort of mistakes

I've done this many times before, just not on this car and I've never had a rotor that was this hard to remove.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I haven't done rotors on my mazda, but I've done toyotas, subaru, chevys, and a nissan.. I did the front pads on the MSP, but I'd check with someone who's done em on a 5,ES, or MP3, since they share parts. someone here musta done it.

 

[Keno1542]

ya...seems like they like to rust up pretty good on the proteges...this happens to my wheels a lot too

I had to use the bolt trick i mentioned when i took off my rotors last time.

 

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Here's the other things that have been throwing me off.

• I originally tried to order the rotors online and the merchant asked me to measure the rotors to let him know which ones to send. He claimed that there were two different rotors used on p5's. I thought that seemed screwy so I canceled the order and picked some up locally.

• The images on this site: http://www.thinkythings.org/p5/brakes.html show the rotor without the extra lip.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

yeah, I felt like I had to press my wheels on when I switched from (non-hubcentric) aftermarkets to my steelies, and then again when I put on Mz3 wheels.. they're tight fit. If the rotors are the same outside diameter, I'd say go to town with a hammer.... a real one. penetrating oil is your friend too. between those 2, I'll bet you triumph over rust, lol

 

[squarelogo]

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

I'll give it another go with a BFH.

 

[bgibb68]

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

I'll give it another go with a BFH.

that's one rule of contruction, if the hammer you got don't work....go BIGGER

 

[Suomi]

When I changed my front rotors, I had to use a very large sledge hammer to remove the rotors. They actually came of the car in pieces. I'd never seen rotors stuck on so badly.