How do you remove the front rotors on a 1996 Honda Civic LX?

Answer 1

First you have to remove the wheel. then remove the bottom caliper bolt (12mm) and rotate the caliper-pad assembly upwards from the bottom, rotating on the fixed upper pin; hang the caliper with a wire hanger around the suspension so as to not stress the brake line. The caliper and pads slides inwards towards the engine, off the upper fixed pin. Next, remove the two 17 mm bolts on the top and bottom of the caliper bracket located behind the rotor. once the caliper bracket is removed, you may need to use an impact driver or a punch and hammer to remove the two 6mm (Phillips head) screws holding the rotors in place. Spay them with penetrant oil, and tap lightly once or twice to ensure penetration. A tee-handle screw-driver might be sufficient to loosen them. After they are removed, the rotor should slide off; if not a little 'persuasion' never hurts. Or use two 8 x 1.25 x 12mm bolts in the threaded holes that are similar to the set-screw holes (but not counter sunk) and turn each bolt two complete turns at a time until the rotor slides off.

The rotor is 'floating' on the hub, and held in place by the caliper; this allows a warped rotor to still rotate without causing the wheel to wobble on braking. (you'll know if the rotor is warped because your brake pedal will pulsate when you brake). Anti-sieze compound lightly smeared around the inside of the caliper centre hole, and on the bolts, will ease removal next time. rotate