Brake calipers are undoubtedly an essential component of your car’s braking system.
Little did you know, this little automobile part can also require regular-intensity maintenance to stay in excellent shape and avoid some unexpected breakdowns.
One of the most frequent issues that should be on high alert to prevent is a brake caliper bolt stuck over a long time.
This can result in a significant reduction of braking force, which endangers passengers, drivers, and other traffic participants.
The question here comes: What are the symptoms and indicators of brake caliper bolts stuck then? Let’s find out!
What Should You Do When Getting The Brake Caliper Bolt Stuck?
In some cases, a brake caliper getting stuck may not be a big deal to handle. You can catch a stroke of luck with WD-40 or a little elbow grease and other lubricants to get it to loosen.
However, life isn’t usually that easy. In most cases, you will need to take more action to eliminate such a dilemma.
The first method you can give a try is torching the bolt. The metal will expand as a result, which can possibly release the bolt.
Another feasible approach is to remove the bolt with a drill or an impact wrench.
Now you must be worried as none of these attempts are working. Here comes our advice: Don’t! There’s still a way to access your nuisance.
In the least preference, a saw might sound harsh, but it is normally workable most of the time to help you out of trouble in removing the bolt.
The good news is it’s typically not too difficult to remove a jammed brake caliper bolt. All you need to do is have a little tenacity and patience. The task will get done eventually!
How to Remove Stuck Brake Caliper Bolts?
Using A Sock Wrench
Step 1: Spray penetrating oil copiously all over the rusty bolts and let them soak for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Insert one of the bolt-out sockets in the rusty bolt after re-spraying the bolt. The fit between the socket and the bolt should be tight and firm. You can also hammer the socket over the bolt head’s end using a rubber mallet if the fit shows any sign of loosening.
Step 3: Employ a socket wrench and counterclockwise crank the rusty bolt to remove it. Since the socket features teeth that can grip onto the brake bolt stuck and pull it out of its original place, using this tool will help you take off the bolt in the most straightforward way.
Nevertheless, also note that there are high chances this approach can completely ruin your bolt.
Using A Chisel And Hammer
Step 1: You may also try hammering the bolt’s head with a chisel and a hammer until it totally loosens the bolt.
Step 2: Be patient. Even the most difficult caliper bracket bolts should be able to be removed with a little persistence and patience.
Let us tell you something; it is actually very common to run into a few issues while removing the brake caliper bolts.
The most significant one was that when we lose these bolts, they may usually incline to the left side.
Yet, do not rush to worry, since as long as you have the appropriate tools on hand, there is no difficulty that can face you for long in how to get a stuck brake caliper bolt off.
And, of course, it could be much more burdensome and time-consuming if you lack some of these necessary tools.
How To Loosen Brake Caliper Bolts?
The brake caliper bolt, which holds the brake pads, applies pressure to the wheels of your car to slow it down or stop it.
There is one problem with this component: it may get stuck with time, creating challenges to take out the old brake pads and replace them.
When this occurs, you’ll need to use a bit more effort and be cautious not to harm the threads at the same time!
The question is: How to do so? Scroll down, and everything you need is just right below here!
Step 1: Remove the wheel from your car first. This will improve your ability to reach the brake caliper and make maintaining it simpler.
Step 2: As you get the wheel removed successfully, find the two bolts holding the brake caliper. The brake caliper’s top and bottom are where to house these bolts.
Step 3: Employ a socket or a wrench to get the caliper bracket bolt stuck and loosened. Bear in mind to avoid over-tightening or stripping the threads.
Step 4: Try torching the brake bracket bolt stuck with a torch if they are still challenging to remove. This will assist in dissolving any corrosion or rust that could be keeping them in place. Take caution not to overheat the braking fluid, though!
Step 5: You must be able to take the brake caliper off of your car after the bolts are free. If not, tap them lightly with a mallet to get things moving. That’s all, then! The brake caliper bolts were successfully removed, and better than that, you did it without causing any damage.
How to Tighten a Brake Caliper Bolt?
The brakes may screech or fail to function properly if the stuck brake caliper bolt is too slack. What if a bolt is too tightly fastened? The likelihood of your brake caliper being at risk is also not any lesser!
That is why understanding how to tighten a seized caliper bolt is just as crucial as knowing how to loosen it.
Let’s learn more about our instruction manual for tightening brake caliper bolts provided right below!
Step 1: Get the brake caliper bracket bolt stuck and loosened using a wrench.
Step 2: Unfasten the bolts until they are free.
Step 3: Get the rear caliper bracket bolt stuck and tightened using a torque wrench.
Step 4: Remember to apply the proper torque spec for the brake caliper bolt by following the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Step 5: Reattach the brake caliper and pads carefully.
Step 6: Ensure the brakes are functioning properly by testing them.
It’s recommended to take your automobile to a dealership or technician if you’re still unsure about the process of tightening a stuck caliper bolt above.
Tips To Deal With Stuck Brake Caliper Bolts
Tip #1: Whenever you change the brake pads for one wheel on your car, you should also replace the brake pads on the other side of the car.
Tip #2: Look over your brake pads before replacing the caliper since there are many chances that they can be rusty.
Tip #3: You shouldn’t try to work on your car since the jack might not be stable enough to hold it.
Tip #4: Ensure that your car is parked on a level, flat place if you need to jack it up.
Tip #5: To acquire additional leverage and more force to remove the bolts from the back of the caliper, hook the socket to a longer breaker bar.
Tip #6: If you are having difficulties getting rid of the lug nuts, spray lubricant on them to help them loosen.
Tip #7: Once the second bolt has been taken out successfully, the caliper bracket can possibly slip out of its place. That is why you should use your free hand to hold it so that it can stay away from falling and suffering damage.
Tip #8: The bolts will still be held in place by a line that runs from your car’s braking system’s main cylinder to the caliper. Keep the caliper connected to the hose for the time being since it may leak brake fluid if it isn’t.
FAQs
Are The Bolts On The Brake Caliper Reverse-Threaded?
No, there is little possibility that this will happen. When normal rotation of the component likely causes fasteners to loosen, reverse threading is employed.
Hence, you can occasionally see them on lug nuts, pulleys, idler bolts, etc.
There is also just no justification for them to ever be. A rotating component cannot be held in place using caliper bolts. Rotors spin; calipers are still.
Left-handed fasteners are very expensive to produce, even if the component they secure rotates counterclockwise (which may cause a normal thread fastener to loosen).
They are thus only employed when no other anti-loosening option makes sense from an economic or design standpoint. Other techniques include the use of cotter pins, castle nuts, and tab washers.
Can You Employ WD40 On Brake Bolts?
Yes, but with only a small amount.
While WD40 or another thin spray oil is safe to use on clutch and brake assemblies, brake discs, calipers, brake drums, brake pads, and brake linings, certain products will work better.
Take Action Can RP-90 or Plus Gas as an example. Just spray the bolt well, preferably from top to bottom, and allow it to soak for as long as you can. Anything more than 30 minutes should be helpful.
Is It Safe To Drive With A Stuck Caliper?
In a nutshell, no. A brake caliper that has been damaged cannot be used to drive. This may be quite hazardous for your car, your safety, and also the safety of other drivers and passengers on the road.
Driving on might result in more harm to your brake pads if you decide to keep going.
When the brake pads’ substance wears away, the base of the pads will eventually dig into the brake disc, resulting in hazardous and irreversible damage.
This might generate a high degree of heat that could destroy nearby car parts, perhaps cause your brakes to start burning or even start a fire.
Conclusion
Above is all you need to know regarding how to solve the brake caliper bolt stuck problem.
Remember that if you are unsure about changing the calipers yourself, it is advisable to have a professional work on your car.
Hopefully, our article can be of great help to you. See then!