Hyundai Repair: 99 Hyundai Elantra Front Brake rotors, hub flange, hyundai elantra

Question
I need to replace my front rotors. I have a Haynes manual to help guide me through the removal and installation. But, in the manual, it states for models 2000 and earlier, in order to remove the rotors, I also need to remove the steering knuckle and take it to a shop and have the hub flange pressed out of the knuckle. Is all this really necessary? Please advise. Thank you.

Answer
I believe that on 1998 and newer Elantras, the rotors were redesigned to "slide" off the wheel hubs.  I use quotation marks because the rotors usually rust rather solidly to the hub, to the point that a heavy hammer must be used to knock them off.

To check which rotor style you have, remove the wheel.  If there are four 14mm bolts (in addition to the wheel studs) through the wheel hub and rotor, then you will indeed need to remove the hub to remove the rotor.  This can be done with a slide hammer or hub puller, but it may be significantly easier to just remove the whole knuckle as you've described.

You can view Hyundai service information at www.hmaservice.com.  One of the recurring problems in Hyundai service manuals is that they're not always updated with new information as the cars use newer designs.  If the diagrams in the 1999 Elantra manual don't match what's on your car, check the 2001 Elantra manual, which should show the newer rotor design.