Caliper Bracet Bolts - Anybody REALLY REPLACE THEM?

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Jul 27, 2006 | 09:01 PM

bighank

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 2,332

Likes: 31

From: Silver Spring MD

Caliper Bracet Bolts - Anybody REALLY REPLACE THEM?

The factory manual says to REPLACE the large Caliper Mounting Bolts when you remove the bracket - like to change the rotors. Most chevy dealers don't even stock them in the Washington DC metro area.
This tells me that they must be resuing the original bolts. They are HARD to REMOVE. Torqued at 129 foot pounds and I almost broke my hand and back removing them but I did get them out and they LOOK fine. Used some red locktite to replace then on the front. Now working on the back. Is this just a way for GM to make $6.33 list per bolt? They're just holding the caliper not the wheel hub. What are your experiences?

Jul 27, 2006 | 09:22 PM

SteveDoten

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 6,276

Likes: 227

From: Farmington CT

Cruise-In VII Veteran

GM parts can get them overnight, typically pay about $4/bolt; you'll be fine to reuse, red loctite is good insurance

Jul 27, 2006 | 09:35 PM

99FewteRC5

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,208

Likes: 2

From: Long Beach CA

i've been doing brakes at a chevy dealer for 15 years, and have never replaced the bolts on the caliper bracket bolts

Jul 27, 2006 | 10:08 PM

John Shiels

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 50,808

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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans

I have reused the large and small bolts 100 times in a 4-5 year period swapping race pads. I did have new small bolts also sitting there.

Jul 27, 2006 | 10:17 PM

Cajundude

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2003

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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!

Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12

Nope, reuse them.

Jul 28, 2006 | 09:58 AM

TrueBlueCoupe

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 815

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From: Richmond VA

I have always reused them. I do inspect for damage, but have never needed to replace them. Just don't over-torque them.

Jul 28, 2006 | 10:24 AM

yellow01

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 8,762

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From: Murphy TX

I reuse them as well.

Jul 28, 2006 | 11:01 AM

Jackal

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,498

Likes: 3

From: Sacramento CA

I have always reused them on my vette and my dad's 2 vettes. No problem.

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Jul 28, 2006 | 11:18 AM

AU N EGL

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 43,084

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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC

Reuse them.

Heck how many times per year do we take them off to change rotors???

I lost count

Jul 28, 2006 | 11:31 AM

#10

VatorMan

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Gaithersburg Maryland

CI 6-7-8 Veteran

St. Jude's Donor '06-'10-'11, '15

Shouldn't you use the BLUE locktite ? I thought red was permanent?

Jul 28, 2006 | 11:46 AM

#11

Tigershark3

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 2,995

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From: Fort Wayne IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by VatorMan

Shouldn't you use the BLUE locktite ? I thought red was permanent?

Jul 28, 2006 | 11:58 AM

#12

Jackal

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,498

Likes: 3

From: Sacramento CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by VatorMan

Shouldn't you use the BLUE locktite ? I thought red was permanent?

Red is NOT permanent. It is just stronger and more heat tollerant than blue. If you use a lot of it (like I did one time) it will be VERY difficult to break the bolt loose but it can be done.

Jul 28, 2006 | 01:28 PM

#13

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 41,058

Likes: 9,820

From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

I replaced mine once. They come from the factory with the red locktite already on the bolt. Just like the guide pin bolts have the blue locktite on them. They are not cheap. I think I paid close to $5 per bolt.

Now I reuse mine.

Bill