Need help- desperate!
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Brunswick GA
Need help- desperate!
This week I wanted to spend some time redoing my brake system by replacing the master cylinder, calipers, brakes, and hoses as they have been showing signs that they need to be replaced. Everything has been going smoothly until I tried removing the passenger rear caliper. One of the bolts holding the caliper to the rotor seems to be so stripped and rusted that I can't seem to get it to budge. I have tried everything from vice grips to pb blaster to a heat torch to try and remove this one bolt. Ive been working on this for 3 days now and beginning to lose my patience. Does anyone have any other suggestions to try and get it out? thnx
Last edited by Xliberater; Dec 30, 2011 at 02:55 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
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From: Vero Beach FL
Sometimes you can take a metric socket about one size smaller than the standard and tap it (hammer) it over the round head and remove the bolt.
Got this tip from a old mechanic and it has worked for me in the past.
Got this tip from a old mechanic and it has worked for me in the past.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Stick a big-a$$ vise-grip on that bolt head...as tight as you can get it. Then put a 2 to 4 foot piece of 1" black-iron pipe over the part of the handle with the adjustment nut on it. Give it all you got! Once you break it loose, just replace that bolt.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
My spindles are out right now so I can't go look.
Can you take the bracket off the spindle (with caliper still attached) and get it out to the bench where you can at least get at it better?
if it's not buried in the pocket like I vaguely remember, you might be able to weld a nut to what's left of the head (pull the caliper apart and remove the seals etc) and use that
You might be able to drill it out (undersize of course) and then an ez-out might break it loose at that point.
I'll have a look at the caliper when I go to the garage see if I can think of anything
Good luck
Mooser
Can you take the bracket off the spindle (with caliper still attached) and get it out to the bench where you can at least get at it better?
if it's not buried in the pocket like I vaguely remember, you might be able to weld a nut to what's left of the head (pull the caliper apart and remove the seals etc) and use that
You might be able to drill it out (undersize of course) and then an ez-out might break it loose at that point.
I'll have a look at the caliper when I go to the garage see if I can think of anything
Good luck
Mooser
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
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From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
By now many of us would have given up, thrown the tools back in the drawers, scrapped the project and started something else.
+1 on the pip wrench. When nothing else will grip those will grip tenaciously.
Last edited by RobbSalzmann; Dec 29, 2011 at 03:50 PM.
Race Director
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Do you have an arc welder? You could weld a nut to it and then use a socket on that nut.
JIM
JIM
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Brunswick GA
The problem is that the position of this bolt makes it quite difficult to reach with certain tools such as large pipe wrench. Unfortunately I have to go to work here in a bit so I'll check back once I get home. Thanks for all the quick replys!
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From: Brunswick GA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Ocala FL
Welding a nut on is a very good idea if you have a welder. Two reasons, it gives you something to grip and the heat frequently will break it loose.
The idea of splitting the caliper and taking off both halves is good but you need the head of the bolt off to do that. So if all else fails, you can cut that head off and split the caliper so you can slide it off. Then you will have a half inch sticking out that you can grab to twist out.
At this point, there is too much metal in there to heat it all extremely hot and then apply an ice cube to the bolt. I think too much heat would be drawn from everywhere instead of the bolt shrinking.
At the very worse, take the entire trailing arm off and take it to a machine shop. They will get it out for you.
The idea of splitting the caliper and taking off both halves is good but you need the head of the bolt off to do that. So if all else fails, you can cut that head off and split the caliper so you can slide it off. Then you will have a half inch sticking out that you can grab to twist out.
At this point, there is too much metal in there to heat it all extremely hot and then apply an ice cube to the bolt. I think too much heat would be drawn from everywhere instead of the bolt shrinking.
At the very worse, take the entire trailing arm off and take it to a machine shop. They will get it out for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
Can you cut 2 flat edges on the rounded head with a cut off tool, die grinder, dremmel, etc... so that the universal gripper socket will bite?
If not try what Jim (427 Hot Rod) recommneded and weld a nut on, even if its with JB weld, if you PB Blast soak it, it should come out.
If not try what Jim (427 Hot Rod) recommneded and weld a nut on, even if its with JB weld, if you PB Blast soak it, it should come out.
