Siezed Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 73
Likes: 13
From: Houston, TX
Siezed Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts
Hey y'all
I'm trying to remove my brake rotor and thus brake caliper bracket so I can replace my wheel hub, but I simply cannot take off the brake caliper bracket on my rear driver side. Passenger side was easy as I just had to stand on my breaker bar but I simply cannot fit and pull up on the driver side. If anyone has had a problem like this, what did you do? I'm asking here on corvetteforum in case anyone has a solution that fits in the tight wheel well. I've dropped a ton of WD-40 and PB Blaster to try and get it loose as well as yanking on a 2 foot breaker bar to no avail. I'd appreciate any ideas that could help me!
I'm trying to remove my brake rotor and thus brake caliper bracket so I can replace my wheel hub, but I simply cannot take off the brake caliper bracket on my rear driver side. Passenger side was easy as I just had to stand on my breaker bar but I simply cannot fit and pull up on the driver side. If anyone has had a problem like this, what did you do? I'm asking here on corvetteforum in case anyone has a solution that fits in the tight wheel well. I've dropped a ton of WD-40 and PB Blaster to try and get it loose as well as yanking on a 2 foot breaker bar to no avail. I'd appreciate any ideas that could help me!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
You have to break that bond. After that the bolt will move.
Try tightening. Mark the position so you know if it has moved.
Heat - propane or butane micro torch right on the head for a few seconds.
Impact driver.
Try tightening. Mark the position so you know if it has moved.
Heat - propane or butane micro torch right on the head for a few seconds.
Impact driver.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
I found that an impact was the solution for me. The combination of impact and torque broke the bolts free when a long breaker bar wouldn't get it done. My impact is an old 1/2" pneumatic Craftsman -- old enough it was made in Japan. Now-a-days, I'd be very tempted to try a lithium cordless -- but no smaller than 1/2" drive. I'd look at Dewalt and Craftsman first, since I already have batteries and chargers. Lot of good reviews of various units on YouTube:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
Penetrating oil is a must, I failed on that reference. My problem over the years has been breaking seriously stuck bolts. I’ve broken bolts with both an impact driver and a severe leverage breaker bar, but it’s been a lot more often with a bar. Something about the impacts of the driver.
Not sure if the bolts can be safely heated or not. Something about heating steel threaded into aluminum worries me.
Not sure if the bolts can be safely heated or not. Something about heating steel threaded into aluminum worries me.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,663
EXACTLY THIS!!! I've done this quite a few times thru the years. I once broke an off brand breaker bar! But it flat works. If people dont have a torch, use Kroil or another good brand of penetrating oil, a breaker bar, the floor jack handle, and work the bolt back and forth until it breaks free....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,663
Penetrating oil is a must, I failed on that reference. My problem over the years has been breaking seriously stuck bolts. I’ve broken bolts with both an impact driver and a severe leverage breaker bar, but it’s been a lot more often with a bar. Something about the impacts of the driver.
Not sure if the bolts can be safely heated or not. Something about heating steel threaded into aluminum worries me.
Not sure if the bolts can be safely heated or not. Something about heating steel threaded into aluminum worries me.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 73
Likes: 13
From: Houston, TX
Fellas, a 1/2 impact driver worked like a DREAM, so thanks for that suggestion! When I used it there was a nasty orangey rust colored vapor that floated out - is that just the rust vaporizing? It was cool to see but a bit concerning as I wasn't wearing a mask or anything.
Other than that I was contemplating using a floor jack on my breaker bar, but I had already started to round off the bolt so I thought that might wear them out more.
Other than that I was contemplating using a floor jack on my breaker bar, but I had already started to round off the bolt so I thought that might wear them out more.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
The caliper bracket bolts come from the factory with an orange thread locker on them. Much harder to break free than blue thread locker. Probably what you saw removing the bolts. Some of the orange thread locker will still be on the bolts you removed.
When I re install the caliper bracket bolts, I use blue thread locker. I f yours are rounded it may be a good idea to replace them.
When I re install the caliper bracket bolts, I use blue thread locker. I f yours are rounded it may be a good idea to replace them.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
The FSM directs replacement of the bolts when removed -- but I don't think I've heard of anyone doing so unless the heads are rounded or similar. Factory bolts are 14084501, which must be used with the 14080254 washers. Don't throw those washers away. Bolts are $6 at Rock, don't find them many other places.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 73
Likes: 13
From: Houston, TX
The caliper bracket bolts come from the factory with an orange thread locker on them. Much harder to break free than blue thread locker. Probably what you saw removing the bolts. Some of the orange thread locker will still be on the bolts you removed.
When I re install the caliper bracket bolts, I use blue thread locker. I f yours are rounded it may be a good idea to replace them.
When I re install the caliper bracket bolts, I use blue thread locker. I f yours are rounded it may be a good idea to replace them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,663
Posts 17 and 18 are spot on. Red Loctite, and I'm dating myself here
, used to be called Stud and Bearing mount. Without heat, it will twist bolts and studs off. However, some guys can use too much of the blue "removable" stuff, and run into trouble, too. DO NOT use blue on flat head screws. Don't ask.....
, used to be called Stud and Bearing mount. Without heat, it will twist bolts and studs off. However, some guys can use too much of the blue "removable" stuff, and run into trouble, too. DO NOT use blue on flat head screws. Don't ask.....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 684
From: Pingree Grove IL
I did the same as others. My car was on a Quickjack, used a floor jack under the breaker bar. Bolts came loose. I did the opposite to tighten them.
I have to be careful using wrenches, or ratchets, I have a herniated C6, C7 disk. I know I’m in trouble when the pain shoots into my left arm. The pulling and pushing of wrenches puts strain on your neck.
Be careful working on those cars.
I have to be careful using wrenches, or ratchets, I have a herniated C6, C7 disk. I know I’m in trouble when the pain shoots into my left arm. The pulling and pushing of wrenches puts strain on your neck.
Be careful working on those cars.