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bfackrell
User
May 15, 2011, 8:51 AM
Post #1 of 14
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...cheater didn't work. Impact wrench didn't work. Are there any other options?
I'm trying to get my brake pads off but I have a bolt that I can't get loose. Space is limited so a cheater bar won't work. I thought for sure that an impact wrench would do the trick so I bought and air compressor and impact wrench but that still didn't work. I don't want to use a bolt extractor unless that is my only available option. Does anybody have any tricks that have worked for them?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 15, 2011, 9:02 AM
Post #2 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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Any impact gun that you buy at the local home depot is not going to have enough power to do anything. You need to explain what you're trying to get off and how badly you have damaged the bolt.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 15, 2011, 9:08 AM
Post #3 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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Are you talking about a caliper bracket bolt? They use thread locker on them new and meant to be tight. I have luck with a long box wrench and rubber hammer to strike to get them going. Not all impact wrenches are the same strength or fit. Just try hard not to break it,
T
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bfackrell
User
May 15, 2011, 10:50 AM
Post #4 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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It is the brake caliper bolt.
I haven't damaged the bolt at all **yet**. That is what I'm trying to avoid.
Is there any chance that anything exists to weaken the thread locker? Heat maybe??...more heat than is normally genterated there. A torch??
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 15, 2011, 11:37 AM
Post #5 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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I don't like and NEVER use high (glowing) heat on very important strong bolts that are stronger metal on purpose. My box wrench and rubber hammer trick has never failed me - never! In fact when putting it back on I give it a fair tighten the same way. The shock of air tools if you can get a decent shot or the rubber hammer are LESS likely to break the bolt than plain brute force.
If needed turn the wheel, whatever to get a nice straight shot at it either with stronger air wrench or my trick. If no access to strong air and air wrench a 1/2" breaker bar (my name) and socket can do too but rather than steady force hold the wrench or socket squarely in place, slightly in direction to loosen it and rubber hammer can still work. If you don't have these tools and want to do this work you need to get them and the real cheap tools may break or harm the bolt hex. If using a socket for this the sockets meant for air tools called impact sockets are best. A regular 12 point may just split the socket.
These things are meant to be tight as said. I'd rather not use heat as it can weaken the strength of the bolt. If you have a hardened bolt and make it glow you have reduced it's strength and we are talking brakes here and you don't want those weak or replace them. Also - heat higher than normal heat from using brakes can harm something nearby,
T
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bfackrell
User
May 15, 2011, 11:45 AM
Post #6 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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Thanks Tom. I'm going to take the wheel back off and try your suggestions.
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bfackrell
User
May 15, 2011, 4:01 PM
Post #7 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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I'm knee deep (actually up to my eyeballs) in brake replacement and hoping that I will be able to get to work in the morning...
Tom: your methods work great for the regular bolt heads but I also have 'star' head bolts. When ever I try to apply a lot off pressure (especially with a cheater) the star socket tips and my bolt head is starting to mushroom. Seems like a REAL poor choice of bolt head in a place like that. Any suggestions?
**Update**
Just tried the old chisel/hammer trick. (Cut a notch in the side and pound like crazy) No luck. There is no reason why this would be a reverse thread is there??
I'm getting ready to pull out the bold extractor...
(This post was edited by bfackrell on May 15, 2011, 4:26 PM)
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speed
User
May 15, 2011, 5:51 PM
Post #8 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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have you tried putting a rachet or breaker bar on it and then getting a long hallow pipe and putting it over the bar. the longer the better, gives you more torque, it really helps alot but sometimes things are jsut to tight and dont work. hope thios will help.
GM ASEP 26 SCC Milford ASE certified in Brakes and Electrical on Thursday April 5th 2012
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 15, 2011, 6:24 PM
Post #9 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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Pic may not show but we are talking about caliper is off and bracket still there - generic pic - hope it shows. What is this vehicle, I could find some pics of what you are dealing with?
So far - never ran into reverse threaded brackets but never say never. Reverse thread are almost always used in rotating parts such that the resonance vibration of rotation would make it tend to tighten vs loosen,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 15, 2011, 6:28 PM
Post #10 of 14
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Re: Stubborn bolt...
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Pretty hard to figure anything out here since nobody has posted a year, make, model or engine size.
I suspect you have an intermediate body GM like a Lumina with a #55 Torx and a big round, tapered spacer under it. They are always real tight and usually require a long breaker bar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on May 15, 2011, 6:30 PM)
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bfackrell
User
May 16, 2011, 6:51 AM
Post #11 of 14
(2313 views)
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I finally got it!
I ended up pulling the entire assembly off so that I could put it on my workbench where I could get some ‘real ‘ leverage. But, I still couldn’t get the star wrench to stop slipping out.
Final solution:
1- (4) small drill bits – I broke 3: it helps to know which bits are reverse and which are not.
2- (2) larger bits – broke 1
3- (1) bit the size or my bolt extractor
4- (1) very long cheater bar
The other side worked with just a cheater and a rubber mallet as Tom mentioned earlier.
BTW: While I had the bolts out I replaced them with regular hex head bolts. Should be much easier next time.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 16, 2011, 8:52 AM
Post #12 of 14
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Glad to hear you persevered. If only one bolt messed up then so be it. Don't (duh) re-use that one. Sorry it gave you such fits - they can and we deal with it too. I much prefer a hex bolt than the Torx type for this application but they didn't ask me
T
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re-tired
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 16, 2011, 10:01 AM
Post #13 of 14
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A word of caution when replacing the bolts . Be sure to use grade "8" bolts not the more common grade "5" bolt. And use hardened washers if needed.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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