I was trying to replace my left front ball joint and couldn't get off the rotor. The PB blaster wouldn't work. The rubber mallet heat and beat no dice, the three pound mini sledge heat and beat gave me this result. I took the heavy sledge to it next to see if I could free it but couldn't.

Anybody have a left front hub / steering knuckle 123 assembly for cheap?

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Is this for real?

It looks like you killed that rotor because you failed to remove the spindle nut that's located underneath the domed dust cap in the center of the rotor. Consider checking the FSM or a Haynes manual for disassembly instructions....

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Lotsa work to make lots more work. Wow.

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1989 300E 144K

See this is why I post here. Through mild humiliation I learn.

I didn't realize the nut had to come off. Everything I'd read previously indicated that it was only held on by the bolts. Plus the rotor pictures in the fastlane seemed like they would just pop on and off.

Wheel bearing tune up? Guess we all have done something that is simular in concept at one time or another. Just remember there is very little doubt that my record has beaten yours. The only difference is I was fortunate enough not to have publicised it. And on reflection a few other posters might recall some of theirs as well. I guess the old adage if something is not going as we suspect it should stop and check it out does apply. No real lasting harm done. Welcome to the club of how things are learnt. Or the one I like best: If you do not do anything nothing can go wrong.

You're my new hero, because you confirmed the fact that "it ain't just me" who does things like that.
I commend you for not deleting the thread after learning what happened. That displays a healthy attitude.
Also, misery loves company..........

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

It's the rears that come right off after you remove the wheel and caliper.

Except when the parking brake is left on!!!

That's the problem with learning from experience. The test comes first, then the lesson. Tuition can get expensive.

I don't know where I picked it up, but my mantra in situations like this is:

Good judgement is the product of experience, experience is the product of bad judgement.

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Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

Hey..everyone here has done something that was truely dumb at least once in their life (in retrosepect) whether we admit it or not.



what do they say.....the only person who has never made a mistake working on their car is the person who has never actually worked on it.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

If I remember jimmy had a car that beat him up with a slight smoking problem rather than him beating the car. He sold it just before taking the hammer to it if I remember. Hence his slogan. Also his smoke and mirrors existance was wearing a little thin I imagine.

No worries, your only out a rotor. We all learn by making mistakes.

For furture reference though get a FSM and refer to it.

Remember the old saying measure twice and cut once?

Well with these cars it should be, check the FSM twice then do the job.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

You now get to post over in the 'dumb things I've done" forum!

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

i would consider a set of wheel bearings now.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

and after you get the nut off and remove the hub and rotor, you will also need to remove the five large allen screws that are screwed in from the back. i would be surprised if you have damaged anything other than the rotor here.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.