Thread: Stubborn caliper bolt

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  1. #1 Stubborn caliper bolt 
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    So i thought I'd do my fronts on my 03 GT. I've done brakes hundreds of times before, so I figured it'd be no problem. I got the top caliper bolt loose but nothing I do with my basic toolset will help get the bottom loose. I've raised the car up as high as I dare (with jack stands) and put a pipe over my ratchet, pulling as hard as I can. I only succeeded in breaking the gear in my ratchet. I've literally wore myself out trying to get this fool thing loose.

    Thoughts?
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  2. #2 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    you could try some heat, heat it up with a small propane torch, the kind you do copper pipe soldering with, heat the area where the bolt goes into the caliper, not the bolt its self, you want the threads to expand. and try a breaker bar, if you have a 1/2 drive it will be stronger too.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  3. #3 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
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    have you tried soaking it with PB blaster yet? works 85% of the time... the other 15% use some heat like scottydogs said!!
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  4. #4 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
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    But seriously try heat and/or tapping the bar when you are cranking it off.

    I had the same problem last weekend on my wife's Trailblazer. I bent my 12" breaker bar about halfway down that bolt was so stuck. Eventually I got a longer pipe on a new breaker bar and cranked it off that way.
    Mine: 1998 Trans Am - 6.0L and T56 swap, C6 brakes, nitrous, not slow
    Brother 1: 1998 Grand Prix GT 2-door - 3.8L SC and 5-spd manual swap coming soon
    Brother 2: 2000 Grand Prix GTP 4-door - stock until he learns to stop breaking his junk.
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  5. #5 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
    GrandPrix Junkie dpzelenak's Avatar
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    u dont have to take it out just take the one out and swing the caliper back away from the pads, pop the new pads in and swing the caliper back put the bolt back in and tighten, done..

    SMGPFC Member #10
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  6. #6 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dpzelenak View Post
    u dont have to take it out just take the one out and swing the caliper back away from the pads, pop the new pads in and swing the caliper back put the bolt back in and tighten, done..
    ya know, you just reminded me, my one back brake had a stuck caliper bolt, and mine rolled open too, i was so happy when i figured that one out, sadly i forgot about that trick.

    actually i had to remove the caliper bracket with the caliper still on it, so i could put new disks on the rear, that was a mouse trap!

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  7. #7 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
    Resident HOMOsapien ZR1Vette09's Avatar
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    What they said. I found on my 06 that they used red loctite 0.0
    '00 Blazer- Good riddance '06 Grand Prix GT- Dead and Cool '05 Silverado- Sold '96 Jeep Cherokee-DD '97 BMW 328i-Project
    <brandonl2000> how did she become handicapped?
    <brandonl2000> LMAO D!!
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  8. #8 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
    GT Level Member thegipper's Avatar
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    If you have a friend who has impacts try that. I too had a stuck caliper bolt and it wouldn't come off with a breaker bar and a huge pipe. Eventually I just took it to my buddy's shop and it came off within seconds after using an impact.

    When you do get it off be sure to use a ton of anti seize on the caliper bolt to insure it slides good. I had one snap off inside the caliper bracket and was PITA to get off. I had to drill a hole inside the broken caliper bolt, tap it, thread a bolt in it, and use a acetylene torch and pry it out.

    That's what happens when those caliper bolt pins seize up. Anti-seize will keep that from happening.

    Hope this helps
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  9. #9 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
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    Quote Originally Posted by dpzelenak View Post
    u dont have to take it out just take the one out and swing the caliper back away from the pads, pop the new pads in and swing the caliper back put the bolt back in and tighten, done..
    I'm doing the rotors, too, otherwise I would.
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  10. #10 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Teancum View Post
    I'm doing the rotors, too, otherwise I would.
    you can still remove the rotors, just leave the stuck bolt in the caliper, remove the caliper bracket bolts, remove them both at the same time, it worked on my rear brakes when i had a stuck bolt and installed new rotors, watch your fingers the caliper can give you a good pinch if it closes up on ya.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  11. #11 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
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    Thanks for the advice all. I've taken a one week break as its our only car and will reattempt to get the bugger off this Saturday.
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  12. #12 Re: Stubborn caliper bolt 
    GXP Level Member Poil336's Avatar
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    that's a pretty awkward bolt to get to on the ground in my opinion. mine was tough to get out the first time, i finally just got in a spot where i could get almost all of my body weight on the wrench. i was tucked up underneath the wheel well (i'm a pretty small guy) and knew i was in for a world of hurt when it gave. hit my head on the fender and cut my hand on something, but i got it. totally worth it lol
    99 GT - top swapped, S2X cam. - sadly, sold
    96 Firebird Formula - T-tops and exhaust leak. 14.26 @ 97.8 - sold
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