Kia Sedona Brake Rotor Replacement

 

Nut and bolt that broke as I tried to free siezed brake rotor with it. 

My 2011 Kia Sedona van needs front brake rotors. They have gotten bad, pulsing and thud-thud-thudding while braking. I've replaced rotors on every car I have owned, including this one. Some are difficult to remove as they get rusted on. Yesterday, Friday, October 9, I bought new rotors and brake pads at Auto Zone. Price came to $226.00 and change. Got home about 2:00 and thought I could get the job done then. I jacked the front of the van up and started in on the driver side. I could not get the rotor loose. I sprayed it plenty with WD40, hammered on it- a lot. Heated it with a torch. Stubborn. Will not budge. So I sprayed it with more WD40 3 or 4 more times before I went to bed. 

Earlier in the day I cut up some Brussell sprouts, sweet potatoes and italian sausage, tossing them around in a casserole with with some oil, honey, salt and pepper. Roasted the combo in 350 degree oven until done. 

Awoke this morning at 5:30. It was 31 degrees. I tried again to break the rotor free. Frustrated I searched youtube and found a way to use a bolt and nut to break a rotor free. YES! I have used that technique in the past. It worked then beautifully. I had forgotten about it. You pass the bolt through the bolt holes in the caliper mounting braket. The bolt is threaded through a nut between the knuckle caliper bolt hole. Tightening the bolt applies pressure on the stuck rotor. However, I still had no success. Bolts were short on threaded section. One I managed to fit and used 1/2 inch ratchet drive and torqued the bolt down until it broke. Then I had to get a saw and cut it aprt to free it from the rotor. Today I bought some better, hopefully stronger bolts at the NAPA Auto store here in Chaumont. Two bolts, and package of nuts cost $14.00! WOW! I set it up and applied pressure to the rotor, used more WD40 ad am leaving it alone overnight. Will see how I fare tomorrow.

After that I cleaned the upper boards and eves on the wall I am painting. Hopefully tomorrow I can give the wall a 2nd coat of paint. 

Brussel sprouts, Italian sausage, sweet potatoes mixed and ready to go into oven.

Brussel sprouts, Italian sausage, sweet potatoes fresh out of the oven.