Just spent the weekend stripping down the front brakes to give them a good clean, grease sliders etc. I wanted to take the discs off so went to undo the 2 14mm bolts holding on the caliper bracket. I could get one undone but the other is stuck fast. The socket just slips in the nut and it looks like someone else has had problems in the past and rounded off the bolt head, Have tried “Plusgas” on it (socked it for a good couple of hours), headed it with a blow torch, but still it will not move. Had a big adjustable spanner on it but just slips off as the head is quite round now. I do have a set of stilson adjustable spanners that might be able to get a grip but worried about snapping the head clean off.
Has any one ever used the freeze spray that is meant to cause the bolt to contact and break the seal?
Last option if that does not work might be to drill it out but not looking forward to that![:(]
Would a garage be able to help but feel defeated having to take car to one.
If the bolt head isn’t too far gone try using a hex socket (six sided) which grips so much better than the standard socket. I bought a set to complement my standard sockets and they have been invaluable. Apologies if that’s what you are already using…
I also hear these are excellent but not tried them personally:
Good advice above.
If you can get the stilsons on, give it a go, if you shear the bolt head at least you will be able to remove the part and get at the sheared bolt more easily
You can always file new flats onto the round head - you only really need 2 (one flat on each side) so you can for instance get an open-end 12mm or 13mm spanner onto it, then whack it with a big hammer. A dremel type thing works very well for grinding on new flats.
I’ve tried the freezing gas and it doesn’t really work - a big hammer is far more effective.
I got my brake calliper bolts off by smacking on a tight socket, putting a jack under the end of the ratchet and slowly jacking it up - the slow application of pressure undid the bolt without making the socket spin (hitting it with a mallet wasn’t working). Make sure you are turning it the right way before you start though…
The sockets mentioned in Monzaman’s thread are excellent they apply pressure to the flat not the tips of the bolt and will bite on almost totally knackered bolt heads, alternatively try an impact socket that may bite on a knackered bolt head as they are only a six point socket and are available almost anywhere.
I know you mention freezing but really the answer is heat , try a blow torch on it you may be suprised.
Many thanks for all the advice. I think I will try and get a 14mm socket with flat sides first as the one I have has multi points in it and seems to be just trying to grip in the very edge of the bolt head, As the head is old and rusty the edges are just turning off. Might treat myself to a new socket set as well.
I have put the brakes back together for now without removing the bolt but this meant I could not get the old disc off to give it a good clean. Managed to get to most of it in situ though.
A trick we use, particularly on 14mm seat bolts, is grind the end of the single hex socket to get rid of any lead that sockets have. This way you get maximum bite on the head
A silly answer but Have you tried soaking it with WD40? First time I tried to remove my hangers they didn’t want to play ball, I just covered up the disc and soaked the bolt and the surrounding area with WD40. Tried again about 2 hours later and they came off with a loud “crack” that made me think I’d sheared it, But no, It was fine.
One thing though, There very high tensile bolts on there so when you finally get the bolts out don’t just go in the back of your shed to find some rusty replacements.