RWBennett

What size socket should fit the head of the caliper bolt?
I'm a newbie (no stupid questions, right??)

rcread

5/8". You might try using a hydraulic jack handle over the wrench for extra leverage.

1ARACE

More leverage, like above said use a jack handle/piece of pipe, etc. over top the wrench. Or just a wrench and bang it with a BFH.
Keep in mind if that bolt is froze up that bad an impact gun will probably twist the bolt off.
Best to use a wrench, get the bolt broke loose, go about 1-2 turns then run it back in 1-2 turns...do this a few times to get the debris/rust out of the threading or you'll again twist the bolt off. And above all else take it slow and easy.

1mpalss

I've got the same problem with my rear caliper bolts. I've soaked it with PB blaster and tried a breaker bar. After feeling like butting my head against the quarter panel, I gave up. I'll give it another shot one of these days, when I'm fresh for a battle!

Glassbowtie77

Yep, worked for me. If you don't have an impact gun, spray it it with the PB and wait a 1/2 hour, then use a breaker bar and it should come loose. If not than it's time to get a compressor and air tools.

I'm Batman

An impact socket and a 28" breaker bar should do the trick.

vette1978

My bet is on the breaker bar. I had the same problem on my "78. Went out spent money on an impact wrench & sockets - Didn't even move the bolts Then I went and bought the breaker bar and that broke the hold of the threads (because they are a fine thread)and the rest of the removal was able to be done with an ordinary ratchet & 5/8" socket wrench.

ghoastrider1

use the "blue wrench" only as a last resort on brakes.

Vette Gator

An impact wrench with six-point impact sockets after PB Blaster is my go-to guy for all the rust-welded suspension bolts on my 76. After a night of removing another set, I give my wife a big kiss and say "thankyouthankyouthankyou" for letting me buy these tools. My rear suspension pieces would still be sitting on the car if it weren't for the impact wrench. The cheapie impact sockets from Harbor Freight work fine.

mdj21

blue wrench....

Boofers

FYI don't use an impact gun to install the bolts. Probably would be easy to crush the lock washer or perhaps damage the threads.

45ACP

Never heard it called that before. I've always called it "The Red Wrench", but I've also heard the term "Firesaw".

mdj21

i had not heard that one either before today. we always called it the smoke wrench.

bwellisley

I had just 1 I was unsuccessful removing and the head broke off. I was able to get the calipers off but need to drill this one out of the trailing arm. I was planning to drill it out from the outside then tap it. Any foreseable problems? What size drill bit and tap should I use? (just want to double check I have the right stuff)

Thanks

eileenthevette

"Not for use in California"??? It MUST be good stuff!!!

mdj21

what about using an "easy out"?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

bwellisley

i actually tried one of those on a bleader screw by hand and it snapped off in the caliper as well!!! So, i made a call and purchased new calipers...

halfmoontrail

Going through it now on my '69. what has worked best is a 6-point socket, and a long pipe over the ratchet handle.

If they will come loose, this will do it.

I must admit I rounded one off. Used my dremeal to make cuts in the head, and hammer/chisel to break the head off. I then removed the caliper bolts that hold the halves together. The front half was then free, and I pried the back half off of the bolt stub...that little beauty is soaking in PB until I get up my nerve and attack it with my nutbuster pliers or a pipe wrench or vise grips or all of the above.

I'm Batman

Ahh, yes...the discount breaker bar. Bad thing about that is that putting additional pressure on the ratcheting mechanism isn't good for it. I bought a 1/2" drive 28" breaker bar at Harbor Freight for about $15.

halfmoontrail

Craftsman...it breaks, they give me a new one!