Well...

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
04/04/2016 at 10:00 • Filed to: None

A little while ago I got this reply in one of my posts:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I’d never heard of such a setup. No idea WHY it exists. Then, yesterday I came across this:

http://www.355nation.net/forum/calipers…

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.

Apparently I have a captive rotor setup as well. Not looking forward to my first brake job.

DISCUSSION (14)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 10:04

At least they have the rotor held on with bolts instead of pressed on with the wheel studs. That small detail makes it a lot easier. (No it doesn’t.)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/04/2016 at 10:11

Also, apparently they have a tendency to seize on. And there’s an ABS sensor that has to be removed. And the sensor can’t be removed from 4x4 models with the axle in the way. And mine’s a 4x4.

There’s quite a few horror stories about busting up the ABS sensor/wiring because of the need to apply force to a seized part.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 10:13

Captive rotors are THE WORST. looking at you Honda and Toyota.

X-X

Not even GM was still using captive rotors in the *(&%#$%& 1990s!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
04/04/2016 at 10:13

Well, this is a GM from 2010.

Master Cylinder > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 10:18

Early 944s have captive rotors, too. Porsche changed to a normal setup in ‘87, though. Thankfully.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 10:20

what? (just followed your link) At least they’re held on with bolts rather than pressed onto the axle spindle... (reads below) wait, you can’t get the ABS sensor out in 4x4 with the axle in place?

2010?

OK.

I have never worked on one of these, and now I NEVER WILL, and my already low opinion of GM has dropped another notch.

Seriously. This is unconscionable.

(I think I know why they did this: In typical GM fasion they use cehap-ass wheel bearings, so they figure by the time you need new rotors the wheel bearings are probably trashed as well, so you might as well just make the whole assembly a single piece so you can replace it with four bolts... also, dealership revenue generator!)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 10:20

Most captive rotor setups have it so that you pop the hub nut, pull the bearings, etc. off the spindle, and remove the hub from the spindle. It means you have to correctly tension the wheel bearing going back on, but that’s not really all that hard if done right. With 4wd, sometimes disassembling the locking hub. This, though - you’re not taking loose one nut that’s been swimming in grease with a retainer and maybe some drive member bolts, you’re having to pull the hub assembly with bolts from the back - bolts that are almost certainly corroded *and* with threadlocker. Then disconnecting it and feeding it through the rotor. After unbolting the two with more corrodey bolts. THIS IS NOT BETTER, GM.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/04/2016 at 10:26

Well, at the moment I don’t think I’ll need brakes for a while, thankfully. When that time does come... shit

It’s pain in the ass one way and many $$$ the other

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
04/04/2016 at 10:32

That’s what I read on one thread. To be fair, I did see another where the guy had managed to do them in about 2 hours each, so it’s not the end of the world, but still... WTF?

Well, the basic design is from 2004, but still.

Not OK.

One part of me is dreading the day they need changed, but weirdly, another part of me is itching to get my hands into this setup just for the hell of it.

No comment. Covered already.

I did find something about them recommending that you change the wheel bearings at the same time, so you’re probably right. Though I don’t see how this is cheaper. And fuck the dealer. I’m doing this myself, and the only parts going back on there are going to be premium.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 10:32

Ford did the same shit except the studs were pressed into the rotor...that was a fun brake job. At least you have an idea going into it what to expect...I had none. I had a frozen caliper so i needed to replace the rotor...take the wheel off and “WTF is this shit?”

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
04/04/2016 at 10:34

Yeah, I’m glad I found out now instead of then.

Weirdly, now I kind of want to rip into it just to see the idiocy for myself...

...but ONLY kind of.

MarquetteLa > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 10:59

My ‘88 Mazda 323 GTX has captive rotors up front, too. Terrible.

HammerheadFistpunch > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/04/2016 at 11:38

Eh, its not that bad, After changing the wheel bearings a few times I can get the hub out and back on in 45 minutes.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > HammerheadFistpunch
04/04/2016 at 11:52

We’ll see...