Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required?
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Melting Slicks
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Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required?
I recall a few comments about having to replace brake caliper bolts if you remove the calipers. Something about them being one use only as they are under high tensile pull.
Any truth to this? :confused:
Bolts are $5/ea from GM - not exactly cheap when you have 8 to replace. :eek:
Any truth to this? :confused:
Bolts are $5/ea from GM - not exactly cheap when you have 8 to replace. :eek:
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From: Spring Branch TX
St. Jude Donor '14,'18,'21
Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Lambinator)
The only bolts that need to be replaced are the bracket bolts...not the caliper bolts. The bracket bolts don't need to be replaced unless you're removing them to remove the rotors. If you're removing the calipers to change the pads, you can reuse the caliper bolts. They are torqued to 23 lb ft...not a lot of torque. New bracket bolts are expensive, but not as expensive as having your brakes fail! :cheers:
Melting Slicks
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From: Wilmington DE
Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Lambinator)
Lambinstor:
I've had my calapers off the brackets at least 20 times in the 2.5 years and havent replaced a bolt yet. I have however put lock-tite on the threads befor reinstallling them. Also. I had the calalper brackets off the car on at least 6 occasions and also have never replaced a bracket bolt, but again have used lock-tite on the threads before reinstalling them.
You do what you think you should do. I'm only giving you my experience with your subject. :cool:
I've had my calapers off the brackets at least 20 times in the 2.5 years and havent replaced a bolt yet. I have however put lock-tite on the threads befor reinstallling them. Also. I had the calalper brackets off the car on at least 6 occasions and also have never replaced a bracket bolt, but again have used lock-tite on the threads before reinstalling them.
You do what you think you should do. I'm only giving you my experience with your subject. :cool:
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Melting Slicks
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Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Jim 47)
Thanks for the responses - I'm replacing rotors as well, so perhaps the bracket bolts should be replaced - I'm going to be tracking the car in a few weeks.
Any other opinions?
Any other opinions?
Instructor
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From: sarasota fl
Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Lambinator)
we never replace the bolts unless they break. we also change our own racing slix, wheel weights, we don't need no stinkin' wheel weights.
"fix a flat racers" of florida
david
"fix a flat racers" of florida
david
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Melting Slicks
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Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (l8apex)
we never replace the bolts unless they break
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From: sarasota fl
Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Lambinator)
we never replace the bolts unless they break
So do you torque them until they strip and back them off 1/2 turn? :lol:
So do you torque them until they strip and back them off 1/2 turn? :lol:
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From: Spring Branch TX
St. Jude Donor '14,'18,'21
Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Lambinator)
The reason the bracket bolts should be replaced is simple. They actually have a "stretch" factor built into them, so when they're torques to 125 lb ft, the bolts actually stretch. The bolts are designed to be stretched only once.
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Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (jw38)
On the C4 the bolts are replaced only to obtain fresh locking material. I have used Loctite 242 on my bolts and never had a problem. I don't think the C5 bolts are torque to yield, and all bolts stretch below yield. Personally, I would re-use them with a thorough cleaning and use of Loctite 242, but you need to do what you feel comfortable with.
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From: Spring Branch TX
St. Jude Donor '14,'18,'21
Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Lambinator)
I agree...you don't need to replace the caliper bolts (the ones that attach the caliper the the bracket) but I still believe that you should replace the bracket bolts if you remove them. Obviously, you don't remove the bracket bolts to simply change the pads.
Drifting
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Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (Lambinator)
I also just use loctite on my bolts. And I have removed my a few times. Each time its just as difficult to remove the bolts as before. I don't believe the bolts are torque-to-yield bolts. I did have to go buy one bolt the other day (long story) but the new bolt had a "loctite" solution already on them. The same thing is true with the f-body bolts. I think they state you need to replace to get the "loctite" additive stuff which comes on new bolts. No need when you can just put a few drops of loctite yourself.
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Melting Slicks
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Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (mhefner)
I am quickly coming to the conclusion that the service manual is :bs
I went to two dealers today that service Vettes and NEITHER had those bolts. I highly doubt that those dealers never replace rotors.
I had the dealer order them for me, but the local distribution center only had 7 of them. So I will have 7 tomorrow and another 9 from Kansas City or somewhere like that in about 4 days. :rolleyes:
I really doubt, based on the difficulty of getting these bolts from the dealer, that they replace them every time.
I went to two dealers today that service Vettes and NEITHER had those bolts. I highly doubt that those dealers never replace rotors.
I had the dealer order them for me, but the local distribution center only had 7 of them. So I will have 7 tomorrow and another 9 from Kansas City or somewhere like that in about 4 days. :rolleyes:
I really doubt, based on the difficulty of getting these bolts from the dealer, that they replace them every time.
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Re: Brake Caliper bolts - replacement required? (vettenuts)
I have reused mine many many times 50 or more. Buy a caliper rebuild kit bolts are in there. Clean locktite end of story.
