Caliper retention bolts???
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Caliper retention bolts???
About to put brake pads on my C5, and came across some words of caution in my shop manual: (paraphrased) replace caliper retention bolts with new ones.
However, no one carries these in stock. What is the general concensus - do you reuse your old bolts or get new ones? Anyone have a part number for them? Should I just let the service shop install pads for $100?
Thanks!
cb
However, no one carries these in stock. What is the general concensus - do you reuse your old bolts or get new ones? Anyone have a part number for them? Should I just let the service shop install pads for $100?
Thanks!
cb
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Caliper retention bolts??? (cboohake)
It has been posted here previously that the reason the warning is there is to ensure that loctite is used on the caliper bolts upon reinstall. The replacement bolts come with thread-lock pre-applied. Directing you to replace the bolts with the correct part number is the sure-fire way of making sure thread-lock is on the bolts.
Many here, including myself, have re-used the original bolts, with a fresh application of loctite.
Many here, including myself, have re-used the original bolts, with a fresh application of loctite.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Re: Caliper retention bolts??? (Patches)
Thanks. Sorry for the repost. I searched for a while on the forum but could not find it.
BTW - how do you break the loctite without damaging the other parts, or worse - shearing the bolt head off.
cb
BTW - how do you break the loctite without damaging the other parts, or worse - shearing the bolt head off.
cb
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Annapolis, MD USA
Re: Caliper retention bolts??? (cboohake)
cb - there are two sets of bolts involved. The caliper pin retaining bolts are the only ones you need to worry about when replacing pads only, and I WOULD replace them. They are the little brass-looking bolts and sometimes come with the pads themselves, and are included in the (inexpensive) caliper rebuild kits from GM.
The caliper BRACKET retaining bolts are humongous (I think 15/16" head) and you will need to remove these only if you are replacing the rotors. The manual says replace those too (if you remove them) but nobody does; they just coat with locktite red. While they are indestructible-looking, I went ahead and ordered a set from Fichtner the third time I replaced rotors just for insurance. They are not cheap, however.
The caliper BRACKET retaining bolts are humongous (I think 15/16" head) and you will need to remove these only if you are replacing the rotors. The manual says replace those too (if you remove them) but nobody does; they just coat with locktite red. While they are indestructible-looking, I went ahead and ordered a set from Fichtner the third time I replaced rotors just for insurance. They are not cheap, however.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 247
Likes: 2
From: Naples Florida
Re: Caliper retention bolts??? (cboohake)
I reuse the caliper bolts when changing back and forth between track pads and the stock pads for the street. I change them out after two to three rotations which is typically about 6 months. You must use loctite every time you reinstall them. They are only $1.50 each from a chevy dealer. I buy 12 at a time.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,008
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Caliper retention bolts??? (ifeeltheneedforspeed)
Some have claimed that the 125 ft/lb of torque on these bolts is a "torque to yield" number- you are actually stretching the bolt, and therefore should not reuse it. Others claim, as posted above, that the only problem is that GM does not trust anyone to apply the Loctite correctly. If someone could check the "grade" of these bolts, and look up in a mechanical engineering spec book what the max permissible torque is, then we would know for sure.
I thought that most people were using blue Loctite, not red.
I thought that most people were using blue Loctite, not red.
