2006 Relay Rotors

[Kelly7337]

Does anyone know if you have to remove the axel nut to get the rotors off of a 2006 relay? The wheel has 6 lug nuts, and I have everything removed, calipers, etc, but cannot get the rotor removed. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[fdryer]

I could be wrong but I've yet to see an axle nut removed to remove a rotor. The axle nut is only used to hold the wheel hub assembly tightly to the outer cv joint, completing the drive assembly from the transmission to the wheel hub. Transmission connected to the cv joints. CV joints connected to the wheel hub. The wheel hub drives the wheels.

The brake rotors are just placed onto the studs loosely while the calipers sandwich the rotor between the brake pads. As soon as the tire/wheel combination is put on and the lug nuts are run up, the rotor is automatically aligned and tightened against the wheel hub. Yours rusted onto the hub assembly, seizing, and won't release its rusted grip from the hub. Cast iron rotors bonding to cast iron hubs from rusting together. Some 'gentle' persuasion with a large heavy ball peen hammer against the inside of the rotor edge will break the rust bond that took place. Rotating and smacking smartly against the rotor edge to knock loose the bond will loosen the rotor from its home on the wheel hub. Then wire brush the wheel hub afterwards to prepare it for the replacement rotor. A light coat grease may help to prevent bonding again. Notice the nice big center hole where the rotor fits onto the wheel hub? That's where the rust bonding takes place around and underneath the center portion of the rotor against the wheel hub.

[henryr79]

I don't know about the '06 Relays, but the '07 has a Torx headed screw holding the rotor to the hub.

[EricF]

the T20 torx screw can be removed and never put back on.

the axle nut is only removed if you're replacing ball joints or axle.
If you have a honda, you get to remove the axle nut.

[TommyK]

The small torx head screw is only a factory assembly expedient. The rotor is put on the chassis much earlier in the assembly process than the wheels. It is only there to keep the rotor on until the the wheels are put on farther down the assembly line. If you can't back it out with a proper sized Torx wrench, drill it out. Some times parts places will include this screw when purchasing a new rotor. When replacing the rotor, don't install this screw. It's not needed. And no, it won't adversely affect wheel balance.