Also, never reuse without using "blue loctite" on the threads.
Good advise.
bolt warning
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
bolt warning
First time poster but I have a warning to give.
I have a 2008 with about 20k on it. Noticed a small rattle coming from the passenger front and was going to get it up in the air to look around. I waited too long and lost the bottom caliper mounting bolt at about 50 mph (caliper mount to spindle). I was smart enough to use the emergency brake and was close to home so I got it back without messing anything up - but the caliper was loose and swinging from the top bolt.
These are pretty stout bolts, 14 mm I think (21 mm wrench) torqued to 125 ft-lbs and come with thread locker pre-installed - so I don't know how it came loose. Only 4 bolts in the state of Wisconsin but I got one mailed to me and the car is now back on the road for about $7.00.
Just a word of warning about something all car guys know anyway - check out strange noises!
I have a 2008 with about 20k on it. Noticed a small rattle coming from the passenger front and was going to get it up in the air to look around. I waited too long and lost the bottom caliper mounting bolt at about 50 mph (caliper mount to spindle). I was smart enough to use the emergency brake and was close to home so I got it back without messing anything up - but the caliper was loose and swinging from the top bolt.
These are pretty stout bolts, 14 mm I think (21 mm wrench) torqued to 125 ft-lbs and come with thread locker pre-installed - so I don't know how it came loose. Only 4 bolts in the state of Wisconsin but I got one mailed to me and the car is now back on the road for about $7.00.
Just a word of warning about something all car guys know anyway - check out strange noises!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 5
From: louisville "derby city" kentucky
someone had the caliper bolt off at some point before you got the car. i have done many, many powdercoated caliper jobs and have NEVER had one bolt come loose. improper assembly was likely the cause. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 823
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I agree, it has the red (fake Z06 calipers) on it. Just glad it is back on the road for a few dollars! But I feel pretty stupid... I have had to drive my 94 Honda Civic VX for the last few days - so it makes me appreciate the LS3 that much more!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
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From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
Nice catch of the car - could have been bad.
Must be somewhat of an unusual occurrence as I have not read of previous instances with any frequency. Proper torque and the blue stuff does matter !!
Must be somewhat of an unusual occurrence as I have not read of previous instances with any frequency. Proper torque and the blue stuff does matter !!
Moderator emeritus
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
True but that is because they want you to use a new OEM bolt that comes with dry locktite.
If you use the old OEM bolts and use locktite, you are accomplishing the same scenario. I reuse the bolts all the time and no issue as long as you use the locktite. The bolts are NOT torque to yield so they retain their strength and work just fine.,
Elmer
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
True but that is because they want you to use a new OEM bolt that comes with dry locktite.
If you use the old OEM bolts and use locktite, you are accomplishing the same scenario. I reuse the bolts all the time and no issue as long as you use the locktite. The bolts are NOT torque to yield so they retain their strength and work just fine.,
Elmer
If you use the old OEM bolts and use locktite, you are accomplishing the same scenario. I reuse the bolts all the time and no issue as long as you use the locktite. The bolts are NOT torque to yield so they retain their strength and work just fine.,
Elmer
Bill
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
It pays to check 'things' periodically. I'm glad it turned out OK.
I think that's a wise CYA warning for GM. That said I know racers who routinely change pads by removing the caliper/caliper bolts (and reuse the bolts) and after many years of hard track use have never had a problem. I'm not recommending anyone do this...just sayin'. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
I had that happen on on another car about 8 years ago - TWICE!!! I had a brake job done at an shop that I had always trusted. First time I figured it was just a mistake anyone could have made. I have known the owner for many years and he is a very good mechanic. He was very apologetic. He drove his tow truck 160 miles to pick the car up, bring it home, and fix it. Second time about 6 months later and I will never go to that shop again and I will warn anyone about them. Both incidents were at highway speed on the interstate. The second time I was in the middle of nowhere. The shop that repaired it said they had seen it happen several times and a couple had shattered the wheel.
LOCKTITE!!!
LOCKTITE!!!
