Brake-Shield Bolt removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Brake-Shield Bolt removal
OK.....So I'm going to remove and replace one of the brake shields on my front end....Should be easy enough....Get new part, but naturally there's a problem. The largest of the three bolts that hold the shield on is so rusted that even multiple blasts of PB and many a blow with the ratchet and hammer have not produced anything but a bolt that is starting to round off. I have been told that using a propane torch and heating the head of the bolt may finally loosen it....Any suggestions to make sure I do this properly? As always, thanks for the input
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
OK.....So I'm going to remove and replace one of the brake shields on my front end....Should be easy enough....Get new part, but naturally there's a problem. The largest of the three bolts that hold the shield on is so rusted that even multiple blasts of PB and many a blow with the ratchet and hammer have not produced anything but a bolt that is starting to round off. I have been told that using a propane torch and heating the head of the bolt may finally loosen it....Any suggestions to make sure I do this properly? As always, thanks for the input
You can 'sweat' the penetrating oil into the threading by heating up the bolt with a torch or something, and then spraying it with penetrant. It'll pull that oil in and it'll work with the deeper threads.
If the bolt head is starting to round, I usually switch to a metric 6 point socket that I have to tap on the head of the bolt with a hammer. It's a tight fit so rounding is unlikely unless the bolt is chemically welded to the knuckle. Once you get the socket tapped on, use a breaker bar to finally break it loose.
If neither of those work, get back with us. If it's starting to round at all, make sure you are NOT using a 12 point socket.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
You can 'sweat' the penetrating oil into the threading by heating up the bolt with a torch or something, and then spraying it with penetrant. It'll pull that oil in and it'll work with the deeper threads.
If the bolt head is starting to round, I usually switch to a metric 6 point socket that I have to tap on the head of the bolt with a hammer. It's a tight fit so rounding is unlikely unless the bolt is chemically welded to the knuckle. Once you get the socket tapped on, use a breaker bar to finally break it loose.
If neither of those work, get back with us. If it's starting to round at all, make sure you are NOT using a 12 point socket.
If the bolt head is starting to round, I usually switch to a metric 6 point socket that I have to tap on the head of the bolt with a hammer. It's a tight fit so rounding is unlikely unless the bolt is chemically welded to the knuckle. Once you get the socket tapped on, use a breaker bar to finally break it loose.
If neither of those work, get back with us. If it's starting to round at all, make sure you are NOT using a 12 point socket.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vadre Vette
Hey if none of that works they have a punch that goes over the nut and you hit it with A hammer and sometimes that does it .Im getting old and dont remember what its called but there out there somewhere.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Well, I just realized that I already was using a 6pt metric socket to try to remove that @#$% bolt....It was a great suggestion by DurangoBoy. I guess I need to look more in to the propane-torch technique....Any suggestions about the proper way to do this?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Once the head rounds off and your choices are limited.... I have been succesful using a chissel. Pound it into the head to get a good bite then hit it at an angle to spin the bolt. The shock of the hammering usually breaks it free.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Yea, I was able to at least get those tabs to move.....Now I'm wondering how to replace the bolt once I finally get it off...I mean, is a 15/16" bolt just available anywhere? I mean, one that'll be good/strong enough for automotive uses, anyway.....I cannot believe how much time this ONE bolt removal is costing me...Ah, the world of classic cars!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Southgate MI
I haven't tried this but I have this set in my tool box...just in case
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P
LL&P
Tom1701
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P
LL&P
Tom1701
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
If you have an air or electric impact wrench and a good fitting 6 point impact socket, spray it down good with pb blaster, give it 4 or 5 raps with the impact then stop, give it 4 or 5 more than stop. Keep repeating until it starts to move then get the ratchet and screw it back in then back it out till it starts to get tight. Keep screwing it in then backing it out while spraying it until it's out. Patience is the key here because you don't want to get in a hurry and have it snap off half way out.