Seized caliper mounting bolt?

Question

Hello,

I am trying to remove a seized caliper bolt from my 1990 Lumina APV, it is the front-right caliper. The bolt is basically only screwed into a 1/4" thick plate of steel, so I am not sure how it is putting up such a fight. I have tried hammering it, using PB Penetrator. The inside of the bolt was a T50 Torx bit hole, but I have ended up stripping the inside :(. I have been trying in vain for 2 days now to grip onto the outside of the bolt with vice grips, pliers to try and get it out, but it feels like its welded in there or something.

I read somewhere that a torch could be used to heat the bolt slightly, making it easier to come out.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I have been working on cars for 20 + years and many farm implements as well. It seems that many people feel that heating a bolt will make it free more easily. I have found this to be more problematic than helpful, not to mention a fire hazard. Rather excessive cooling is the way to go... cooling an object will cause it constrict. If something is already on a bind you must remove the pressure, not increase it. Try packing it in dry ice for a while, quickly remove the ice and immediately attempt to remove the bolt.

Your bolt is most likely cross-threaded and will probably need to be cut out.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Give the PB some time to loosen it. If that doesn't work get a propane torch at Wal- mart. Be careful to use some sheet metal to protect your hoses and prevent setting the old grease on fire. Heat it up a little at a time, try loosening with a hammering action, or with an impact wrench. Maybe some bolt-out from Sears would allow you a better grip on the outside of the bolt. When reassembling with a new bolt, try using a little low-holding locktite on the threads, it will prevent them from rusting together again. Also, use a thread chaser or tap on the hole you are re-threading it into, especially if the reason for it being stuck turns out to be because it was cross threaded. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

If anything you would want to heat up the metal it is screwed into, not the bolt. You might have some luck by hammering a hex socket into the stripped torx and then then using a ratchet to turn it free. Also, if you have a small breaker bar, you can hit the hex bit in there while you gently increase the pressure on the breaker bar, essentially using it like an impact driver. But, if you are going to try it from the outside, you will have better luck with a small pipe wrench, as compared to vice grips, but I sincerely doubt you will get a pipe wrench to clear on the outside of the bolt. Anyhow, good luck.

Answer 4

Heat might work. Get your self a propane torch and heat the bolt up, then quench it with water. The effect of heating and cooling rapidly will expand then contract the bolt and break it free. If this does not work you will have to drill it out.

Answer 5

Gotta torch? attempt somewhat warmth. as quickly as you get them out placed somewhat grease or anti grab on the threads. If there broke off regardless of the threaded hollow you will want a ease out, a drill with the spectacular length bit and a torch. on the different bolts use penetrating oil and permit them to take a seat down a on a similar time as. you need to nonetheless want some warmth to help with the approach.

Answer 6

heat the crap out of it and use vice grips, i had to do the same thing,you can go out and buy a new bolt but they are expensive, just use the old one it will be alright....