What's the easiest way to get the front brakes off?

Therian · Apr 19, 2007

I haven't tackled brakes before, and the last time I went to do it, my C-clamp was about 1/4in too short to fit over the caliper. Is there a way to get the brakes off without compressing the piston? I'm doing the cobra swap + 03 cobra A arm + struts, so everything needs to come off.

Thanks guys

Therian · Apr 19, 2007

bump...hoping to get this done today

1TallMF · Apr 19, 2007

I used a huge C-clamp, but it didn't take much to compress them. The other thing you can do is take a large flat screwdriver or pry bar and wedge it between the rotor and the outer part of the caliper, and wiggle it and whatnot. You don't need to move it much to take it off. As for taking the caliper off, don't bother with the torx screws that hold the caliper to the bracket, just remove the two braket bolts at the back and everything will come off as an assembly. It took me about 1 hr to take both sides apart and install the Bullet kit. Easy as pie.

Also, my rotors were really stuck to the hubs, but nothing 3 minutes with a BFH and double-fisted swings can't fix

Therian · Apr 19, 2007

1TallMF said:
I used a huge C-clamp, but it didn't take much to compress them. The other thing you can do is take a large flat screwdriver or pry bar and wedge it between the rotor and the outer part of the caliper, and wiggle it and whatnot. You don't need to move it much to take it off. As for taking the caliper off, don't bother with the torx screws that hold the caliper to the bracket, just remove the two braket bolts at the back and everything will come off as an assembly. It took me about 1 hr to take both sides apart and install the Bullet kit. Easy as pie.

Also, my rotors were really stuck to the hubs, but nothing 3 minutes with a BFH and double-fisted swings can't fix

How does it look with the new rims? must be badass. pictures?

Also, the two bolts I want to take off are the ones that attach the bracket to the spindle, right?

1TallMF · Apr 19, 2007

Thats correct man, I believe they were 15mm heads. They were tight, I used a 36" breaker bar to take them off lol.

Here's a couple pics, but the car was really dirty

I'm waxing the car this weekend, there will be plenty of pic-whoaring to come

MysteryMachine · Apr 19, 2007

I'm a little confused as to what your having the problem with. The caliper should pull off after you take the bolts out you shouldn't have to press in the piston to get them off. As mentioned the torx screw suck ass they strip real easy. Anyways good luck with it

94-302-vert · Apr 19, 2007

GOOD LUCK...

I broke 3 15mm sockets on the bolts that hold the caliper to the steering knuckle on my car. Had to take angle grinder and grind off the heads.

THEN on my 03 control arms I had to use an angle grinder to cut my arms off so I could cut the front bolts off. Of course this also meant $50 in new bolts/washers...

So good luck. Hope your car is easier. My car seems to be one of the worst on here for this type of stuff.

1TallMF · Apr 19, 2007

94-302-vert said:
GOOD LUCK...

I broke 3 15mm sockets on the bolts that hold the caliper to the steering knuckle on my car.

I know they're usually not cheap, but it would be wise to invest in a set of 1/2" drive impact sockets if you haven't yet. I got a full set of metric and standard ones on sale for $25 that was reg. $100. Best $25 I ever spent, seems there's almost nothing I can't unbolt with those and a huge breaker bar

And if you manage to break an impact socket, then you've done something

HISSIN50 · Apr 19, 2007

I'm not sure I follow Mr Highlander, but I'm sure you know about brake caliper piston retracting tools. Much better than a C-clamp because the force is against the piston and inside of the caliper (not crushing the caliiper as a C-clamp does).

They are 10 bucks or less (USD) and well worth it IMHO.

Good luck Duncan.

P.S. when I read the title, I thought this was gonna be some topic that belonged in a car fetish forum.

Bosko5.0 · Apr 19, 2007

hammer, yeh you should'nt have to compress the piston it should just slip off unless the piston rusted to the pad

Also make sure you use lube to help get it off

94-302-vert · Apr 19, 2007

Who needs impact sockets... I use craftsman... the guy gace me a look then got me new sockets...

Bosko5.0 · Apr 19, 2007

good point.

1TallMF · Apr 19, 2007

So Duncan, did you manage to git er dunn today?

Therian · Apr 19, 2007

HISSIN50 said:
I'm not sure I follow Mr Highlander, but I'm sure you know about brake caliper piston retracting tools. Much better than a C-clamp because the force is against the piston and inside of the caliper (not crushing the caliiper as a C-clamp does).

They are 10 bucks or less (USD) and well worth it IMHO.

Good luck Duncan.

P.S. when I read the title, I thought this was gonna be some topic that belonged in a car fetish forum.

hahaha...I dunno...I've always found brakes to be very sexy

I'll pick up the tool you mentioned next time I'm heading out to work on the car

1TallMF said:
So Duncan, did you manage to git er dunn today?

I ended up only having 25 minutes to work before I had to leave (I'm storing the car at my parents house until I can get it on the road).

I took the time to soak all of the bolts with PB blaster, and then I attempted to move one of the bolts with a 15mm wrench...no luck.

I need to get the 1/2in drive 15mm socket. I only have down to 16mm on the 1/2 drive sockets

I'll get back at it on Saturday.

Thanks for the help guys

94-302-vert · Apr 20, 2007

Make sure it is a 6pt socket.

Although, if you have a grinder it may be worth the time jsu tto grind off the head and buy new bolts. They are like $6 each I think but have the thread locker on them too..

MysteryMachine · Apr 20, 2007

I like to heat my nuts and bolt before trying to work with them always seemed to help me

Therian · Apr 20, 2007

MysteryMachine said:
I like to heat my nuts and bolt before trying to work with them always seemed to help me

was that meant to be a joke?

if it was serious...

what kind of a torch do you use? I put a propane torch to the bolts before getting on them, but it may not be hot enough. How long do you leave it on for?

urban96 · Apr 20, 2007

when i did mine i didnt even bother with the TQ bit ones since iw as changing the whole caliper to the cobra

i did use a big breaker bar tho, and lots of PB blaster

HISSIN50 · Apr 20, 2007

If we're trying to get the brake caliper bolts loosened (you guys can make anything sick and twisted BTW ), if not mentioned, rap the wrench with a 4 pound hammer. The shocking is like an impact gun and will loosen the bolts up (but should not snap them, like lots of leverage can).

trav_19 · Apr 20, 2007

im confused about needing a clamp i know the rear calipers need to be ratcheted in with that special tool but to get the front caliper out if the caliper wont come off the rotor i would slip a screwdriver or something between the caliper and rotor like how the rotor turns through the caliper and pry up it should pop off...if you were concerned about getting the caliper to compress now to put new pads in then i understand the c clamp

What's the easiest way to get the front brakes off?

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