Xantia Rear Brake Disc Removal

Unread post by **howardaskew** » 04 Aug 2009, 15:27

Trying to remove xantia rear disc. Disc puts up a good fight.

Any ideas on how to make it surrender?

Corrosion seems to be the problem.

Trying to change the ABS sensor which is corroded in also.

Are 1997 Xantias past their sell by date?

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 04 Aug 2009, 16:00

I needed a good set of grips to remove that log from one of my cars.
It's the lug that sticks through the steel wheel helping to align the wheelnut holes.

Unread post by **howardaskew** » 04 Aug 2009, 16:07

Thank you for your kind help.

which little lug?

I have removed the screw that holds the disc on.

Is there another?

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 04 Aug 2009, 17:40

1997 past it's sell by date ??

It should be just about run in and ready for work.

The best method for me although others may well suggest better is this.

Remove wheel.
Remove pads.
Put the bolt back in that you removed to get the pads out.
Remove the 2 x caliper bolts.
Pull the caliper away from the arm.
The pad retaining bolt will stop any leakage and save you from having to bleed afterwards.
Remove the disc securing screw (if this is the original one it will take a 5.5mm socket, if replaced at sometime it may well just be a standard M6 countersunk screw.)
Give the face of the hub a few good smacks with a lump hammer to break the corrosion. (it may take a good few smacks)
Remove the disc.

Upon re-fitting, grease the mating face on the hub bearing, this will make life so much easier next time.
Dont forget to clean off the corrosion between the caliper and suspension arm, then grease the mating face.

Hope this helps as it allways works with me.

Regards
Martin.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 04 Aug 2009, 18:53

That's exactly how I got mine off last week, you just have to be brutal with the mallet. It took several really good welts from behind until they popped.

Be careful not to put too much grease on the mating surface if you do, as it can find it's way onto the friction surface through centrifugal force.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 04 Aug 2009, 19:20

hi Howard
firstly how are you and your family havent heard from you for some time,
and is that the 16V if so how's she running

i agree with Martin and others on just bashing it from the rear, but if you are re/useing the discs hold a lump of wood against the disc before bashing to protect the disc, otherwise you wil destroy the disc,

hope you manage without to much of a problem

regards malcolm

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 04 Aug 2009, 23:14

Just to clarify.

I dont hit the shiny part of the disc, well only as a last resort and only if the disc is going in the bin, I did once split a disc in half doing it this way.

The place that I hit is the front face where the wheel sits up against, the shock alone will break the corrosion, then the disc (usually) pops off easy peasy.

Also if the ABS sensor is being replaced, then just destroy the thing with a punch and clean up the hole with some emery cloth, again some grease upon re-fit will ensure that is comes out easy next time.

Regards.
Martin.

Unread post by **howardaskew** » 04 Aug 2009, 23:40

Thanks Malcolm & everyone,

I've found my 4lb lump hammer and i'm going to really whack it and heat it up and if that fails I will be surprised.

The disc will be replaced and the ABS sensor.

Unfortunately one of the 3 bolts that hold the back plate on sheared off.

I only want 2 more years from the car although my mrs loves it.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 04 Aug 2009, 23:51

I had a back plate bolt shear off too, drilled it out and fitted a nut and new bolt, be careful though, the sheared bolt is fairly soft metal and easy to drill, where as a snapped off drill isn't

Unread post by **howardaskew** » 05 Aug 2009, 13:12

Latest update.

Got out blowtorch and lump hammer. Gave it a mlld warm up and proceeded to knock ten bells.

The disc broke away from the hub completely!

This made me worried so I really set about it with full might and applied more heat and lots of debris fell off underside of car and then the disc flew off!

The ABS sensor was corroded in so I bashed it out. Pretty soft metal.
Cleaned up corrosion and it allowed refitting of the new item.

Then I got a really curved ball.

How do you get the cable for the sensor through?

I have attached a draw cord to pull the old sensor plug through, but the plug gets jammed by the arm. I have tried altering the arm angle but to no avail.

I'm an electrician by trade but you would never come across a problem like this. It really is a bad route and I certainly could not see a way of improving it.

Any tips on this problem would be appreciated.

Regards,

Howard

Unread post by **howardaskew** » 05 Aug 2009, 19:30

Update.

The cable for the old sensor may as well be cut. Put string on it and pull through.
Attach string on FIRMLY to new sensor plug tape it up with insulating trip to make smooth.
Use trolley jack to alter angle of arm and the plug goes through. Don't worry about the silly rubber grommet too much, unless you do a high mileage.

Tie wrap the sensor cable/plug to the nicely located holes in the bodywork to prevent swinging about.

Many thanks for all those who tried to help, including Mike's understatement that the ABS sensor is a whole topic on its own!

The car is running very sweetly Malcolm. We have taken it on a few round trips to Scotland.

My wife and her friends think she has a very nice comfortable car.

Many thanks,

Howard

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 05 Aug 2009, 23:46

cant you just cut down one side of the gromit to get it off of the wire, then just fit it from inwards going outwards

regards malcolm