Stupid Darn Bolts!!!

[Macgyver]

Okay I need some help here trying to get the bolts off the break aparatus. These bolts are not budging!!! Is there some type of spray on bolt loosener stuff? Theyre not rusted on there or anything but they dont look so hot either. I realize this might be a dumb question and Im risking a lot here posting this but Ive been out there for 2hours!!!!! and No Dice.

Any help would be appreciated or shared experiences.

Steve'O

 

[Scott81]

PB Blaster and an impact wrench, works everytime....if you have air tools and a compressor that is. I take it you mean the bolts holding the calipers on.

 

[cwerve74]

Lets be sure what we are working on. There are 2 bolts that hold the brake to the car and there are 2 bolts that joint the two halfs of the brake caliper. All have a 5/8inch head. The ones that hold the caliper on the car are closer to the middle. The ones that joint the two halfs of the caliper are out near the end of the caliper. The ones that attach to the car should come with good force like a 12 inch tool. They are torked on with about 70 ft-lbs. The one that hold the caliper to gether are a different story. They are asembled with a real big tork value like triple digits(150 ft-lbs). I would guess you would not be able to get these loose while the brake caliper is still on the car. I needed a 30 inch tool on a bench in a big vise. So you may be working on the wrong bolts. Just a thought. Another hint. Use a six sided socket for beter grip.

 

[Macgyver]

Yeah Im trying to find a diagram to better explain here. There are 4 bolts in total. 2 are really rusted and 2 look fine. Neither budge. How many are going to need to be removed?

 

[Macgyver]

The ones that hold the caliper together are really rusted adn they are bigger thatn the ones that hold the caliper on the car. They are a mother getting off and Im no slouch in the gym. My whole back is throbbing. Im not going to admit defeat here and take it in somwhere!

 

[silver 80]

I'm with Scott, PB Blaster if you don't have impact TAP it with a hammer to loosen some of the rust. TAP do not hit it so hard that you distort the head of the nut.

 

[Macgyver]

I tried tapping them all twice to loosen or knock out the dust. Whats this PBlaster? Spray on stuff? Maybe at Autozone?

 

[silver 80]

yea it's good stuff. spray on kinda like liquid wrench but better I think. autozone should have it. spray it on tap it let soak for a while spray on some more tap and give it a try.

spray it both sides if you can.

 

[Macgyver]

Ill soak the heck out of it but thats not he easiest place to get into and get leverage on it. Got any suggestions for that.

Thanks for all help guys

Steve'O

 

[silver 80]

remove wheels.
I replaced my calipers last winter, went smoooooth, get the speed bleeders it helps if you do the bleeding on your own.

 

[Macgyver]

OK and now heres where Im at:

Took of the break hose which twisted the hell out of the break line and eventually tore it off! Finally got the bolts off w/ some of that PB blaster. I dont know why I didnt do it earlier put I finally got a piece of pipe to put the end of the wrench in to give some more torque and bam they snapped right off. Took the caliper off and took it to a shop that I usually go to and they said that the caliper lloked ok but not in the best shape. He said it should work but most likely it was the hose that was causing the problem and sure enough he was right. The hose had almost completly closed up and was not releasing the break fluid.

Got some tubing and a coupler to seal off the break line in the mean time which took forever. This doesnt seem like the best thing in the world to me but perhaps you can enlighten me on how **** poor this actually is. If its a viable solution then job well done. I dont plan to drive the Vette really since I have a daily driver in the mean time as well. It seems to hold very well w/o leaking and wasnt the easiest thing to do. It will get me to a break specialist which was what Im wanting it to do. I will replace the break line and to get the caliper really looked at because I have no experience in diagnosing these things but if you show me how I can sure as hell go to work. Since replacing the caliper was my original plan and has taken many turns I dont really know what exactly the problem is now. I think its fine but Im not going to be driving in traffic and find out its not. Ill swallow some pride and take it to get looked at and spend some loot to get it in tip top shape. They are the breaks for heavens sake.

Chalk it up as a draw adn a good learning experience. Number one is to get some serious tools. Mine are pretty old. If Im going to do this all myself then Im going to need the 1980 Service Manual in my toolbox as well. PLan ahead is a great one as well. I always get the job done but it might not be the best way.

Thanks a lot for all the advice fellas.

Steve'O___Youll see me wavin