Ford Repair: Rear Disk Brake, brake lathe, wheel studs

Question
I have a 1996 ford explorer and i am having a VERY hard time removing the rear disk rotor off the truck. There is a type of nut with a hollow center and 2 inset knoches and I don't know if I should be removing this first in order to get my disks off. Can you help me with this? Thank you.

Mike.

Answer
I'm sorry to say, there isn't an easy way to remove rear rotors.  The rotors rust to the hubs and must be loosened by striking the flat surface between to wheel studs with a Ball Pien Hammer.  I have seen mechanics work on removing one rotor for 10 minutes, taking two-handed swings with a 32 oz hammer.  Because of the risk of damaging the rotor during removal, the rotors are usually machined on the vehicle with an on-car brake lathe.

I hope this helps,
Dave