Rust and Brake Bolts, Need Help

HGFireHazard

Member

Apr 10, 2005

460

0

17

Michigan

May 31, 2006

#1

• May 31, 2006

• #1

At the start of the day all I wanted to do is put some new pads up front, but now that has turned into all I want to do is remove that lower caliper bolt so I can start. I've been going at this for 3 hours to no avail. I tried spraying with penetrant, but there isn't really anywhere for it to go. I tried a T-50, but I bent the threads... a lot. I tried vice grips, vice grips with a C-clamp around them for leverage... nothing works. All I'm doing is flaking metal off of the outside of the bolt. What can I do, I'm out of ideas. I read somewhere that someone used a 1 foot pipe wrench but I don't have anything really big besides a breaker bar (which didn't help). Thanks guys.

 

91LX_5L

Founding Member

May 13, 2002

1,943

0

36

British Columbia

Jun 1, 2006

#2

• Jun 1, 2006

• #2

Well I got mine off fairly easily, I used a penertaing oil, hit it with a hammer a few times, put my 3/4" driver on it with a old hollow metal chair leg (breaker bar) pushed my feet on the inside of the fender, and gaver ****. I found it just hard to get good leverage you have to find somthing to push agaisnt.

 

HGFireHazard

Member

Apr 10, 2005

460

0

17

Michigan

Jun 1, 2006

#3

• Jun 1, 2006

• #3

I need to at least go and pick up another T-50 bit tomorrow. The one I used got all of it's threads broken... it was that rough. I don't know if they make an impact T-50, but I'd like to buy one of those. If I still can't get it to budge I'll just take it to my mechanic. I don't have a torch so that idea doesn't work very well either. Thanks for the input. It's pretty frustrating, but I'm glad I decided to do this now before my cobra brakes come along. Hopefully I don't have to pay but we'll see how tomorrow goes.

 

94-302-vert

Active Member

Aug 16, 2004

1,947

2

36

NE CT

Jun 1, 2006

#4

• Jun 1, 2006

• #4

Get a torch. it is worth the $$... and spend the extra couple $$'s for a torch with a trigger. I think i paid like $35-40 for my Mapp gas one with trigger....

heat it up and cool it with the penetrant.

Now the other option is to remove the 15mm bolts that hold the caliper to the spindle. On my car I had to cut away two of those though and the other 2 came out...

heat and penetrant are your friends...

 

Methodical

15 Year Member

Dec 1, 2003

1,192

11

59

Clinton, MD

Jun 1, 2006

#5

• Jun 1, 2006

• #5

Are you talking about the bolt that holds the caliper bracket? The reason I ask is because you mention a T50. Mine is just a regular bolt.

Remember though when you do get them off put some "antiseize" on the bolt threads so you won't have the same problem the next time.

 

HGFireHazard

Member

Apr 10, 2005

460

0

17

Michigan

Jun 1, 2006

#6

• Jun 1, 2006

• #6

Probably someone who did your brakes before you, Methodical, got wise and put on something that wouldn't strip out. I'm talking about the lower caliper bolt, the one you remove to lift up the caliper off of the rotor. I'll see how today goes with another torx bit but if I can't then we'll see how the torch idea goes over. I'm tight on cash after the rims (coming tomorrow) and still need to order brakes when they come off of backorder. Thanks for the help guys.

 

94-302-vert

Active Member

Aug 16, 2004

1,947

2

36

NE CT

Jun 1, 2006

#7

• Jun 1, 2006

• #7

What brakes are you waiting for? If it is the cobra front or rear kit contact buyfordracing.com ....

Try taking out the 15mm bolts that hold the whole caliper to the spindle, they may come out for you. Just make sure you use a 6-point socket.

 

D

DJiCE

Member

Apr 2, 2003

117

0

17

Bloomfield, NJ

Jun 1, 2006

#8

• Jun 1, 2006

• #8

Never understood why they used those torx bolts...
I tried with a torx a socket and in 1 min said this is never going to work, onlygoing to strip the bolt.

So I pulled out the pipe wrench and work great !!

 

Methodical

15 Year Member

Dec 1, 2003

1,192

11

59

Clinton, MD

Jun 4, 2006

#9

• Jun 4, 2006

• #9

HGFireHazard said:

Probably someone who did your brakes before you, Methodical, got wise and put on something that wouldn't strip out. I'm talking about the lower caliper bolt, the one you remove to lift up the caliper off of the rotor. I'll see how today goes with another torx bit but if I can't then we'll see how the torch idea goes over. I'm tight on cash after the rims (coming tomorrow) and still need to order brakes when they come off of backorder. Thanks for the help guys.

Click to expand...

I am the only owner of the car. It seems the Cobra brake mounting is different than the GT's. I have 2 bolts (15mm head) that holds the caliper bracket onto the spindle and only a pin and clip that must be removed to lift the caliper off of the bracket.

As stated earlier use some heat. I've used the propane torches that you get from Lowes or HD with success and the kit is cheap (no more than $10)