Can you safely apply heat the front caliper mounting bracket to facilitate easing of the seized bolts or would this cause damage to the ABS system ?
or has anybody any tips on how to remove these seized bolts ?
Regards
Chris Davis
Yes you can but to be honest unless you have oxy aceteyene that most people do not have at home you will have issues getting enough heat in quickly enough.
Second best is a Rothenburger torch along with MAPP Gas in a yellow cyinder around £80. I have not used this but I have had good reports of them.
A normal propane torch in my opinion is not up to the job. On that thickness of steel.
You will need a replacement bolt which is usually fine pitch and a higher strength than normal 8.8 grade bolts. I would order from Mazda or they are here on ebay.
Do not use stainless steel bolts on this job as they are no suitable for this specific service.
The bolts are only £2 each from Mazda.
Only use the proper bolt.
If they snap.
I have found the Caliper mounting bracket bolts to be a problem on a number of vehicles. Generally the application of release agent over a couple of days then a 6 point socket and a long breaker bar supplemented by a piece of scaffold pole usually works, eventually. Try a small amount of tightening first as this sometimes helps to break the rust. You also need to turn the wheels to get a better angle, best of luck!
I agree with most of that but last year my 2009 Subaru had a snapped bolt at nowhere near what I usually have to pull to lossen them.
The broken stud was held in the caliper carrier bracket. 10 minutes with a propane torch was of no use. I took the bracket to the local garage and the oxy acetylene for a few moments had the stud out.
Got a fine thread Subaru branded bolt on ebay delivered the next day. Sorted