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I need to remove a rear brake rotor and I can't figure out how to get a wrench on the lower bolt of the caliper. The bolt head is positioned very close to the torque arm so that I can't get a socket squarely on the caliper bolt head. Is there a "trick" to getting to this bolt?
This may be a bit unresponsive but have you tried a box end wrench? I don't recall having to use anything beyond combination wrenches and sockets except for line wrenches for the brake lines.
I tried a box end and an open end. Box end had the same problem as the socket and open end wasn't totally square either. I'm not a fan of open end wrenched for breaking loose bolts anyway. I'm thinking Dennis and SWC Tim may be right but I'm unclear on how the caliper was installed.
I know I have used a socket for this. Something is not right. Dennis
AGREE. Used a 6 sided socket and lightly tapped it on the bolt head and walked the bolt out. Might also have to use a short wobble extension to get the angle right. Had to of used a socket due to the fact to reinstall the caliper you will be using torque wrench on those bolts.
Last edited by Tmichaelson; 01-20-2019 at 02:22 AM.
Willing to bet his steel brake line is over the bolt head and he can't get a wrench on it.
He might want to try a crows foot.
I just crawled under my car. If it is the brake line causing the issue, it must be really bent/misaligned pretty badly. If, by chance he has a sway bar, the mounting bracket could be bolted wrong. This thought is a stretch. Pics will help. Dennis
I just crawled under my car. If it is the brake line causing the issue, it must be really bent/misaligned pretty badly. If, by chance he has a sway bar, the mounting bracket could be bolted wrong. This thought is a stretch. Pics will help. Dennis
I've seen the brake line over the caliper bolts on many many cars.
Maybe OP will provide a picture.
Thank you for all the responses. I did manage to get a 3/8" drive socket over the bolt head and tapped it down with a hammer to seat it as suggested by Tmichaelson and was able to loosen the bolt. Now little turns with an open combination wrench. I may have to ask my wife to start the bolt, she has thinner fingers. Attached is a picture showing the brake system ( brake line not impeding access to the bolt head) and the bolt with the small clearance relative to the trailing arm. I hope the pic were uploaded.
Willing to bet his steel brake line is over the bolt head and he can't get a wrench on it.
He might want to try a crows foot.
You can unclip the steel break line where it meets the rubber hose on the torque arm and move the line away from the bolt.
I've done it this way with no issues for the last 52 years!
Thank you for all the responses. I did manage to get a 3/8" drive socket over the bolt head and tapped it down with a hammer to seat it as suggested by Tmichaelson and was able to loosen the bolt. Now little turns with an open combination wrench. I may have to ask my wife to start the bolt, she has thinner fingers. Attached is a picture showing the brake system ( brake line not impeding access to the bolt head) and the bolt with the small clearance relative to the trailing arm. I hope the pic were uploaded.
HartleyC glad you got the bolt out.
Cannot see the pictures.
Let's try again with the pictures. Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments! lower caliper bolt next to torque arm. That's the brake line in the foreground
01-19-2019, 02:55 PM
C2 Rear Brake Caliper Removal
Dennis
You can unclip the steel break line where it meets the rubber hose on the torque arm and move the line away from the bolt. 
