So when I put on my aftermarket wheels I needed to use hubcentric rings (Alta sent me metal ones) to make the new 73.1 mm fit on the OEM 56.1mm bore....

So I never used "no seize" and now my metal rings are stuck on....I know this b/c I tried to put my stock wheels back on today and it wasn't happening....

Now I'm due for brakes in 5,000 miles.... when I get new rotors and brakes, does anyone know if the rotor is attached to the (shoe maybe? idk what you call it...whatever the bore is attached to)

If the whole piece gets replaced (let's call it shoe) I figure I can just bring the dealership new PLASTIC hubcentric rings.....

If not I think I'm SOL.....I can't even mount my spare right now if I had a flat (knocking on wood)

I tried brake cleaner to loosen it up but still no luck...

 

Try some PB Blaster

http://blasterchemical.com/display.cfm?p=50003&pid=4

 

Try some Breakfree....found at the sporting goods stores.

 

+1 PB blaster is your friend! Are the rings stuck in the wheels OR the rotor?

 

I had the same thing happen with my metal rings. I sprayed them with everything and had a hard time getting them to budge without ruining them. I ended up using a wide chisel to get them off. I placed the chisel flat agains the rotor hub and tapped it between the hub and the stuck ring. Going around the ring and eventually got it to work off. Hope that helps.

 

I used my buddy's big a$$ hunting knife to get mine off lol

 

If the rotors are being changed as part of the brake job the rings must come off first.

Rememeber to use antiseize when they go back on.

 

thank you everyone that posted....

Stuck on the rotor (hat?)

I am hoping that Crashton is correct and that when my brakes / rotors are being changed by Mini, that they will replace the piece with the rings stuck on them.....by then I will have purchased PLASTIC rings to put back on....

If the piece is not replaced by Mini, then they will probably want to charge me the labor to get the damn things off

I guess I just need to know if that entire piece gets replaced with the new rotors that they will be putting on as part of my scheduled maintenance or not....

 

Your mechanic should not have a problem dealing with those rings.

Lots of folks like the metal rings, but I'm very happy to have plastic ones on my car.

 

If I chisel them off, how careful do I have to be about damaging the rotor hat? I started using a flathead screwdriver and hammer but didn't want to damage the ring on one wheel and not be able to get the others off.....


I also have PB Blaster in the house.....should I worry about where it sprays? ie brake lines etc or in the lug holes...I was going to screw the lug bolts back in to not get any of it in the holes......

Electrical stuff I am comfortable with.......brakes / rotors not so much.

 

You can also heat them up with a torch. A little heat, they expand a little, and then they are loose. Voila!

 

Very best at breaking things free is a mixture of 1/2 ATF and 1/2 acetone. (A GRM poster did a side by side test of this concoction vs PBB, WD40, and others. It won hands down and my experience supports the conclusion.) Let it sit for a while after application and heat the ring with a soldering iron or small torch. Then immediately hammer a knife edge (not a good one) behind the ring working your way around. If that doesn't work you will have to destroy it to get it off.

 

Flame wrench FTW...

 

I don't mind destroying it to get it off.....my concern is being able to get it off w/o damaging the part behind it. if that part actually gets replaced during the brake and rotor job I need in 5,000 miles then I don't have a problem at all....I'll do 5,000 miles in ~8 weeks

 

If the rings are aluminum they are softer than the rotor. My best guess is you will get them off without hurting the rotor.

 

I'm old school Chuck.
What self-respecting garage doesn't have a torch?
Wonderful things torches.......
These youngsters today..... could learn a few things from us old farts.

Oh yeah.....pass me that 45 ounce ball-peen hammer, will ya?

 

One must always have a torch & a BFH. Must scare the bad beasties away.