Seized caliper bolt
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Rookie
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: AL
Seized caliper bolt
Went to shop today to have rotors turned. Guy there said lower bolt caliper on passenger side wouldn't budge. Said it may have been overtightened at last brake job. Impact wrench wouldn't move it.
Any suggestions/solutions?
Thanks in advance.
Any suggestions/solutions?
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 51
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From: AL
Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind.....Already looking. Didn't like the guys attitude to start with.
Would a breaker bar (perhaps with extension) work ? Perhaps get the ol' can of PB blaster....
Would a breaker bar (perhaps with extension) work ? Perhaps get the ol' can of PB blaster....
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 823
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From: RU
be careful there... very careful. and DO NOT reuse caliper bolts - these are disposable (non-reusable).
caliper is made from magnesium alloy and bolts are aluminium and soft.
i BET some 'persuasion' with some wd40 and good breaker bar will work. just be careful there.
and do not use heat! heat will damage the alloy!
caliper is made from magnesium alloy and bolts are aluminium and soft.
i BET some 'persuasion' with some wd40 and good breaker bar will work. just be careful there.
and do not use heat! heat will damage the alloy!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: AL
Just thinking out loud...would it be feasible that the bolt is cross threaded since it's aluminum? I'm trying mentally to be prepared for whatever they find...
I assume the bolt would give up it's threads before the mounting would-I hope.
I assume the bolt would give up it's threads before the mounting would-I hope.
Heating a bolt up will not damage alloy unless you get excessive and take it to melting point (865+ degrees F). Of course, you need to be careful but very often it is one of the most effective ways of loosening a seized up bolt or nut. Too much torque on a breaker bar can also break the head off the bolt. Then it's really a nightmare. A good shop will know how to get it out.
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having only experience with nissan brake systems, which use reusable (steel) bolts and calipers that are either steel or aluminum (with steel female threaded parts) ive never come across any aluminum/magnesium brake parts.
but yeah if the impact wrench didnt use the job, next thing on my list would be penetrant/lubricant accompanied with a looong breaker bar. you wont to apply breaking torque in a quick fashion, somewhat similar to an impact wrench. that means you want to QUICKLY push/pull that wrench OR hit it at the end with a mallet/piece of wood/similar. you DONT want to give it a slow/steady push/pull.
longer the wrench, the better. and then if you can try to slip a pipe over the end to extend it even longer.
example, a 24" wrench has 2 times the force of a 12" wrench
but yeah if the impact wrench didnt use the job, next thing on my list would be penetrant/lubricant accompanied with a looong breaker bar. you wont to apply breaking torque in a quick fashion, somewhat similar to an impact wrench. that means you want to QUICKLY push/pull that wrench OR hit it at the end with a mallet/piece of wood/similar. you DONT want to give it a slow/steady push/pull.
longer the wrench, the better. and then if you can try to slip a pipe over the end to extend it even longer.
example, a 24" wrench has 2 times the force of a 12" wrench
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Northern VA
I assume you know those bolts are one-time use only?
Racer
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From: AZ
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