Should the front disc be loose on a Ford Focus (2001) with the wheel off?

[Jay D]

Had a problem with the ford focus and with the wheel off the only thing holding the brake disc on is the brake caliper! Is this normal?

 

[Alekat]

Yes and no.

The rotor is most times held on by two or three small washer retainers, on the the lug bolt, right up against the rotor. These washers have small serrations closest to the lug bolt. They are removable and sometimes come loose and fall off when the wheel is removed. Most times a curb-stone mechanic does not have these available and so - the wheel is re-installed with out the washers.

It does not hurt anything, as long as the wheel lug nuts are properly torqued, when the wheel is installed.

 

[thebax2006]

Yes, there are no retainer screws. They sometimes get rusted on.
Make sure you torque the lug bolts to 100 ft lbs.

 

[MUSCLES]

yes it is but when you tighten the wheel the disc brake whill tighten up

 

[Stéphanie]

yes its normal, and its called a rotor. the caliper and the wheel/lug nuts are what hold in in place.

 

[Nate]

when you tighten the lug nuts, the wheel and lug nuts hold the rotor against the hub, and a ring extending slightly from the hub centers the rotor, all is well!!