C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Seized Rear Brake Caliper

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 12, 2019 | 09:27 PM
  #1  
CarGroves's Avatar
CarGroves
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 14
From: Conroe, TX
Default Seized Rear Brake Caliper

I'm doing the rear brakes with fresh caliper, pads, and rotors. The rear caliper mounting bolts are seized. I've put heat on it, penetrating oil, and hit it with a 1/2 impact driver. If I can get the caliper split in two and the rotor off will that let me access the back side of the bolts to add more penetrating oil and heat?

Thanks, Jake
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2019 | 09:56 PM
  #2  
Duane4238's Avatar
Duane4238
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
Default

Jake- Don't be afraid to put some force on those bolts. You're not going to snap them. I believe they're grade 8's. Just get a 3/4" length of pipe that will fit where you need to go. Put it over your ratchet handle equipped with a 6 point socket. Then put your weight into it. It will let go with a snap.. Good luck.
Duane
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2019 | 11:59 PM
  #3  
pltmgr's Avatar
pltmgr
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Bubba didn't have grade 8 bolts on my rear calipers. Luckily mine weren't seized. I think If you split the caliper in two you may be able to get the rotor off giving you access to the mounting bolts. I have soaked bolts for up to a week before they gave it up.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2019 | 10:26 AM
  #4  
Big2Bird's Avatar
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Default


Reply
Old Feb 13, 2019 | 11:54 AM
  #5  
Bikespace's Avatar
Bikespace
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,508
From: Virginia
Default

Be sure to use a 6 point socket. If you can get the rotor off, you can see the threaded through holes that bolt the caliper to the mount. There is enough access to helicoil these holes in place, so yes, if you split the caliper, what you propose should work, if you can get the rotor off, too.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2019 | 01:35 PM
  #6  
HeadsU.P.'s Avatar
HeadsU.P.
Le Mans Master
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Default

PB Blaster will come to the rescue. But like all penetrants, you have to have patience. At least overnite if not longer.
Another trick is to actually tighten the bolt a smidge. Often that will break the bond between the two metals, then eventually work loose, with some heat.

Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Feb 13, 2019 at 01:38 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Seized Rear Brake Caliper





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:42 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE