How to Remove a Brake Rotor on a Mitsubishi Eclipse 2003
by Jule Pamplin
The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse is equipped with all-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Older models were fitted with disc brakes in the front with drum brakes in the rear. The addition of rear disc brakes means a higher level of braking performance, and has led to a substantial decrease in stopping distance while adding more control for the driver during braking. When the brake rotors are found to be warped or scored, remove the discs for resurfacing or replacement.
Step 1
Park the Eclipse on a flat surface, away from passing traffic. Lift the hood by pulling the hood release under the dashboard.
Step 2
Remove the master cylinder cap. The master cylinder is on the driver's side or the engine compartment, capped by a white lid.
Step 3
Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that has the rotor that is to be removed. Use the tire iron included in the vehicle maintenance kit for the Mitsubishi. You can find the maintenance kit in the trunk of the Eclipse, stowed with the spare tire.
Step 4
Lift the vehicle and support it with jack stands near the target wheel.
Step 5
Remove the lug nuts by hand. Take the wheel from the wheel bolts and lay it flat on the ground with the rim facing skyward.
Step 6
Remove the caliper slide bolts with a 13 mm socket and ratchet. The two bolts are located on the side of the caliper facing away from you.
Step 7
Pull the caliper from the caliper bracket and rest it onto the steering arm above the brake assembly. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake line.
Step 8
Remove the two bolts on the backside of the caliper bracket. Use a 15 mm socket and ratchet to remove the two bolts and pull the bracket from the rotor.
Step 9
Tap the center section of the rotor with a hammer to loosen the grip of the wheel bolts. Spray lubricant on the rotor to aid in extracting the disc from the Eclipse. Pull the rotor from the vehicle.
Step 10
Take the new rotor from the packaging and spray the surface with brake cleaner. Wipe the excess cleaner from the rotor with a towel before placing it onto the wheel bolts.
Step 11
Put the rotor on the wheel bolts with the center section (called the top hat section) facing away from the vehicle.
Step 12
Return the caliper bracket to the rotor and replace the two bolts on the backside of the bracket with the 15 mm socket and ratchet.
Step 13
Return the caliper onto the caliper bracket and screw in the two caliper bolts with the 13 mm socket and ratchet.
Step 14
Place the wheel back over the brake assembly and screw on the lugs by hand.
Step 15
Remove the jack stands and lower the Eclipse's tires to the ground with the jack.
Step 16
Tighten the lug nuts with the tire iron and return the tire iron and jack to the trunk.
Step 17
Check the master cylinder container and add brake fluid as necessary.
References
- 2 Car Pros: How to Replace Brake Pads and Rotors
- "Mitsubishi Eclipse & Eagle Talon 1995-2005 Automotive Repair Manual"; Haynes, 2005
Things You'll Need
- Tire iron and jack (from the Mitsubishi maintenance kit)
- 13 mm socket
- 15 mm socket
- Ratchet
- Rotor
- Brake cleaner
- Chain lubricant
- Towel
- Hammer (optional)
Writer Bio
Jule Pamplin has been a copywriter for more than seven years. As a financial sales consultant, Pamplin produced sales copy for two of the largest banks in the United States. He attended Carnegie-Mellon University, winning a meritorious scholarship for the Careers in Applied Science and Technology program, and later served in the 1st Tank Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps.
