Leon MK3 ST hub removal question

[RobertJames81]

Hello all,
Is it possible to remove the rear discs and hub without removing the calliper carrier bolts? I tried to get a breaker bar under it as it was lifted on jacks but to be honest couldn’t get enough clearance. I could take it to a rent a lift but thought I would ask here first. I believe I was able
to do it on my old mk2 Leon.
Thanks

 

[SuperV8]

Hello all,
Is it possible to remove the rear discs and hub without removing the calliper carrier bolts? I tried to get a breaker bar under it as it was lifted on jacks but to be honest couldn’t get enough clearance. I could take it to a rent a lift but thought I would ask here first. I believe I was able
to do it on my old mk2 Leon.
Thanks

Depends on the disc diameter and height. I'm sure on the my 184tdi 272mm rear disc you wouldn't be able to - whether you can on the smaller disc options I don't know?

I could just about on my Audi A4 B6 - which had small 245x40 rear discs. The rear discs on the Leon are either 253x51or 272x48

Some caliper carrier bolts can be a pain to remove - very tight bolts with limited access on axle stands. I usually try various combinations of extensions bars/ratchets, sometimes a ratchet with pipe can help - as the ratchet gives you finer control of degrees angle.

 

[RobertJames81]

They are 253. Fingers crossed then I would of tried but the disc carrier screw sheared off and I didn’t have a replacement and didn’t want to risk not putting one on as it’s my daily drive.
I will report back for others looking in the future.

 

[SuperV8]

Will be interesting to know.

What do you mean by the disc carrier screw?
you mean the little screw which stops the disc falling on your foot?
which screw from this drawing?

 

[RobertJames81]

Haha yes the screw that stops it dropping on your foot.
Or in my case not matter which car I have - the screw that always rounds - got to stop buying such high mileage cars

 

[SuperV8]

Haha yes the screw that stops it dropping on your foot.
Or in my case not matter which car I have - the screw that always rounds - got to stop buying such high mileage cars

That small screw has no structural function in holding the disc.
The wheel bolts clamp the brake discs between the hub and wheel creating huge friction and its this friction which holds the disc.
This small screw is only there hold the disc while the caliper is off (stop it falling on your foot!), and to enable easier wheel bolt alignment.
If you 'bugger up' this screw and don't have a replacement to hand there would be no problem carrying on and fitting one at a later date. Having said that most premium disc suppliers include these small screws.

 

[jt20vt]

Just did this on mk7 golf with 272 rear discs as one of the carrier bolts at the back was seized so if same size should be able slide out and put new one on.

 

[RUM4MO]

There used to a "craze/trend" for folk that worked on their car brakes, to buy in stainless steel equivalent screws to avoid that issue - I confess to having done that on both our first VW Group cars - but as I tend to clean-up/service the brakes every year initially and as time goes on, every year at wheel changing time, I've never ever found these original factory fitted screws to too tricky to get out.

Edit:- that is the disc retaining screws that I'm referring to! Some VW Group cars did not have a hole in the front hubs, at least, for a disc retaining screw, that is where/when the M14 plastic threaded dowel pin came in handy to keep the disc lined up with the holes in the hub when refitting the wheels.

 

[RobertJames81]

Hi all, thanks for you replies. I am aware that it’s a holding screw but it is important to align the holes for the wheel bolts. I wasn’t in a rush. I’m tackling it this afternoon so will report back with pictures.
I did just see a very clever hack on YouTube that uses a car Jack to take off the carrier bolts and i might just see if that works -purely out of interest.
Link to YouTube is here:

Will feedback none the less.

 

[RUM4MO]

Ooooh, if I needed to resort to that, I'd be a hex socket and not a bi-hex socket.

 

[RobertJames81]

Hi all, yes I was able to slide the disc off very easily. Quickly tried the Jack trick and it did budge the carrier bolt

 

[SuperV8]

Hi all, thanks for you replies. I am aware that it’s a holding screw but it is important to align the holes for the wheel bolts. I wasn’t in a rush. I’m tackling it this afternoon so will report back with pictures.
I did just see a very clever hack on YouTube that uses a car Jack to take off the carrier bolts and i might just see if that works -purely out of interest.
Link to YouTube is here:

Will feedback none the less.

I would only resort to this hack if I had access to get the socket/spanner horizontally - so the jack is pushing at 90 degrees.
Might work on the RH side - but imaging the LH side access is more tricky having to do it from the front.

These bolts have a very high torque spec when you do them up:
90Nm + 90degrees!
You will never do this with a ratchet or spanner - so I think the real answer is just getting the car higher so you can use a long lever + torque wrench.

 

[SuperV8]

Hi all, yes I was able to slide the disc off very easily. Quickly tried the Jack trick and it did budge the carrier bolt

Good to know about being able to remove the disc with the caliper carrier in place.

A critical task when doing a brake job is cleaning the carrier - the points where the pad slides. This is much easier with the carrier on a bench. I recommend trial fitting the pads in the carrier to ensure they slide in and out smoothly by hand.