Caliper bolts stuck... Installing coilovers, can I finish the job?

[jprastrullo]

Hey r3v,

I've been stuck past few days with some pesky bolts that won't come off of the caliper... My plan B was to remove the front strut from the control arm + trailing arm and try to complete the job with the caliper still attached.

I then realized there is no way to do that... Not enough room to work for me.

I've sprayed PB over and over -- over the course of 24 hours... It is also for me to gain leverage because it is separated from the ball joint. I've tried an impact wrench, which also didn't work.

What I haven't tried:

1. Breaker bar
2. Heat (torch)

Should I...

1. Remove the brake line to the caliper, and complete the job with the caliper still on the rotor?
- what is involved in this option? are there any special tools needed?
2. Reconnect to ball joint to get more leverage, + try breaker bar?

This is getting frustrating and I want to get the car on the road...

Ideas?

[mitchlikesbikes]

more leverage will be key. i would use a breaker bar AND reattach the ball joint. you don't really realize how much torque you're losing when stuff is moving around when you apply the force.

[dewme5]

MAPP gas (yellow bottle) works pretty well for bolts, lots better then a propane torch (blue bottle). Oxy Acetylene (actual welding rig) is best.

Try a 50/50 mix of Acetone/ATF. Really great results with that stuff.

[Liquidity]

more leverage will be key.

Sure. If you want to snap the bolt.



You need heat and an impact gun.

[dirtbag30]

heat + breaker bar. if you still cant get it to work you could do it by taking the brake line off.

just pinch the soft brake line with a small pair of vise grips enough to stop fluid from flowing.

and when you put the line back on, put the line on first then take the vise grips off.

with this method you can get lucky most of the time by just gravity bleeding it.

just crack the bleeder screw till you get a steady flow of fluid.

[Todd Black 88]

Take the sliding pins off, and leave the caliper mounting braket in place.

[Mr. Tasty]

could just remove the brake soft line.

[jprastrullo]

heat + breaker bar. if you still cant get it to work you could do it by taking the brake line off.

just pinch the soft brake line with a small pair of vise grips enough to stop fluid from flowing.

and when you put the line back on, put the line on first then take the vise grips off.

with this method you can get lucky most of the time by just gravity bleeding it.

just crack the bleeder screw till you get a steady flow of fluid.

I might try this... I'm hesitant to put the ball joint back on -- to get leverage -- because it was a PITA to take off... I actually ended up tearing the boot too (FML).

This might be the best course of action...

Take the sliding pins off, and leave the caliper mounting braket in place.

What are these sliding pins you speak of?

[Todd Black 88]

Your brake calipers slide on pins. They are inside the rubber boots. Pop the caps off the end of the boots and you will see an Allen head sunk in to the pin head. Remove the pins and pull the caliper off and hang it somewhere. The caliper bracket will stay on the strut tube, and the main part of the caliper will remain attached to the car.

Unless you have girling calipers? I am not sure if they are the same assembly.

[jprastrullo]

Your brake calipers slide on pins. They are inside the rubber boots. Pop the caps off the end of the boots and you will see an Allen head sunk in to the pin head. Remove the pins and pull the caliper off and hang it somewhere. The caliper bracket will stay on the strut tube, and the main part of the caliper will remain attached to the car.

Unless you have girling calipers? I am not sure if they are the same assembly.

Not sure... Calipers are stock from an 87is

[KVF]

Girling are the same. You can easily separate the caliper from bracket as suggested by TB88

[not_a_kiwi]

Did you try hitting the area surrounding the bolt with a hammer? The vibrations could loosen it also works for knocking the balljoints loose

[not_a_kiwi]

And then the breaker bar that's how I got mine off no problems not the coilovers are on and I am happy

[not_a_kiwi]

You get it off? I'm on Oakland and have been meaning to stop by and say hello to my sister at San Jose state for a bit.

[jprastrullo]

You get it off? I'm on Oakland and have been meaning to stop by and say hello to my sister at San Jose state for a bit.

Working on it today with another r3v member... If it doesn't come off, I'll let you know haha.