The service guide says you need a special puller to get the rotors off, is that true? Can I just beat them a bit with a hammer and get them off?

 

You don't have listed thet youve got 4wd. I've got a 2wd and pulled my rotors w/ hand tools in driveway. The problem came trying to find a shop that could handle the size. Other then commercial truck shops, Pep Boys was the only one with a lathe big enough to dress them down.

 

Yup, 4x4. The reason I asked is that I am at school at Lincoln Tech and they said we couldnt do the rotors here because we needed a "special" tool. I didnt quite buy it but wanted to check. Alldata says you might need a puller but that is it.

 

Here is a quote from one of DZLPWR's posts. Works great.

I did mine a few months ago and its not realy hard. Took me 6 hours to get the first side off, using pullers and beating on it. Found a tip on here that saved the day in about 15 seconds. Got the other side off in about 30 min.
1. Set the front axle up on secure jack stands and remove wheels.
2. Find a large socket to fit the axle nut (1 11/16?) and have someone apply the brakes while you remove the nut. ( you could do it with the truck still on the ground w/wheels on)
3. remove calipers and hang with wire.
4. remove the 4 bolts on the back of the spindle Note: they are 12 point
5. Heres the tip that saved my day and was the only way i could get mine off(very rusty). If you have 4 wheel abs, then dont do this, unless some body explains how you can. There is some type of ring that must be removed???

-Anyways, turn the front of the wheel/rotor all the way in towards the truck.
-Rotate the axle shaft so that the inner u-joint is vertical.
-Place a good sized socket (1.5-2" long) between the outer u-joint (horizontal), and the end of the axle tube.
- start up the truck and turn the steering wheel in the appropriate direction, to press out the hub. (if your working on the driver side, turn the steering wheel left and vise versa for pass side).
Hub should pop right out.
- Slide the hub off, and try to support the axle shaft so it dosent "hang". Try to keep it horizontal as possible while the hub is off.
- Thats as far as i got with the hub, i didnt pull the rotor apart, but like everyone else said, you bang out the studs to remove it. I had my rotors turned with the hub still on.

I may have forgot some steps and the last step may sound like greek, just ask questions if you dont see how to do it. Goodluck -Jake

 

What year model is your truck? My rotors will come off with just a pull by the hands. I have to take the caliper mount off, but after that, it comes right off, no need to remove axle nut or anything like that. Mine is an 2001.5.

 

The last bit of info was pretty close- loosen the 1-11/16 nut but do not remove it. It will hold the bearing together if it starts to separate. I have used a socket to push the hub out using the u-joint and axle tube flat, but it is recommended to use the axle tube flat and a socket on one of the 12 point 14mm bolts after you loosen it enough to give you some "push room"

 

The "slip over the studs" rotors started in 2001, I believe.

 

I think the first year is 2000 for the "donut" slip off rotors!