Those dashed darned brake calper bolts

[middie]

I have been trying to remove one bolt from my RHS brake caliper for about 3 weeks now (on and off) and haven't even budged it. I tried heat, grinding, swearing (at least I felt a lot better) and JP's magic ATF/Acetone mix - nothing worked.

All I ended up with was some grooves in the back of my caliper, but it didn't penetrate so the caliper should be OK.

Then I had a chat to Colin Dodds at Sprite Parts ( https://www.spriteparts.com.au/ ) and he let me into a little secret. Weld another bolt to the top of the stuck bolt, and the heat will expand and crush the rust and the stuck bolt will virtually drop straight out.

Guess what? It worked like a dream. I can always count on Colin for those little trade secrets when I'm in trouble.

Wazza

 

[aeronca65t]

Interesting!

When I have a stuck bolt, I use a left-handed drill bit that's almost as big as the shaft of the bolt. After drilling in a bit, the bolt will often wind right out.

 

[Sarastro]

Do you have an impact wrench? I'm amazed at what those puppies will do.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Rusty bolts and heat, old trick I use still. Heat the bolt, expands into the rust, breaks it up, and out it comes.
Run a tap in the hole, use anti-seize, and it will be fine.

 

[equiprx]

Run a tap in the hole, use anti-seize, and it will be fine.

I'm not so sure about using anti-seize on brake caliper attachments. If anything, you need to use Locktite.

 

[Westfield_XI]

The caliper mount bolts are secured with steel tabs bent over the flats of the bolt heads. Thread locker is unnecessary.

 

[equiprx]

The caliper mount bolts are secured with steel tabs bent over the flats of the bolt heads. Thread locker is unnecessary.

Well if that's the case, never mind.