This may sound crazy but what holds the front rotor in place? When I replaced my rotors, the old ones did not have the small flat nut on the stud up against the rotor (like every other vehicle I have changed rotors on). The new rotors did not come with the part either. When I look a pictures on the site about front brake jobs, some have the nut and some don't. Does this nut need to be on the stud holding the rotor in place?

 

The caliper 'holds' the rotor in place, along with the rim seating against the face of the rotor to hold it against the hub. Once you remove the caliper, you may have to use a BFH to get it off due to rust.

The ones that have the big castle nut in the middle are 4wd.

 

Thanks for the input. A man at parts place told me the nut was called a push nut. I got the rotor off with a piece of wood and a hammer. When it went back on it seemed to kind of wobble. I guess the caliper and the wheel will hold it in place. I just wanted to make sure something wasn't missing.

 

Nope. You're good. That's how it should feel. After you pump the brakes (before putting it in gear ) it will tighten the pads against the rotor also. It does not need this, per se, because the wheel holds it in place.

Sorry if I'm going on...

 

no problem that is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.

 

Until the rust takes over!! then you need

 

Yeah, I said that up there...

 

Some vehicles when new come with a push nut to hold the rotor on during assembly. The are just a thin washer that has small fingers that lock on to the threads. You can pry them off or cut then with a side cutter.

 

Yeah, that too. It's been so long since I cut those dang things off...

 

helpful hint is use a lug nut to hold the rotor in place while trying to instal the caliper

 

Another hint. Coat the surface between the hub and rotor with a good antisieze.

 

Good idea and same for between the mag wheel and hub

 

Yeah, I do that on the rim as well.

 

While you got the rotor off, go ahead and spray the hub bearing nuts with some good penetrating oil. It takes a couple years worth of spraying to be able to get the bearing off when it decides to let go

Nickel Anti-Seize is my best friend on these trucks. Even used it on my exhaust



Side note: Make sure you dont let your calipers hang by the brake lines when you remove them.

 

I prefer the Dollar Anti-Seize. Costs a little more but works much better