Im doing front brakes on a buddys 01 v6. First off, i can not get the 2 bolts off on either side. I am using a 15mm socket, which fit the best, and i ended up rounding off one of the bolts. I am using a 400 ftlbs impact, and nothing is moving.

1. Is 15mm the right size?
2. Any ideas to get the damn bolt off
3. Part # for the new bolt (holds caliper to the strut tower/car/whatnot)
4. Any other tips??

Thanks Guys!

Ryan

 

http://skhandtool.com/productcatalog...ftoken=5008252
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools...e=snapon-store
either of these will work, I use the blue point (snap on) version all the time... you could also use a pair of visegrips, but youll be there for a while.

Also, I dont know if its 15, but when you were fitting it, was there caked on grease and brake dust? That will affect how the socket fits. Let me ask the million dollar question... was it by any chance a 12pt socket?

The caliper is held to the steering knuckle

Jim

 

Thanks. I was looking at thoes twist sockets. I guess ill have to go pick up a set from sears. I dont think it was caked w/ anything, because it fit nice and tight. Yes it was a 12pt socket.... Should i have been using 6?

Ryan

 

1) Yes (if I remember correcly)
2) Get a 'bolt out' kit from Sears, it will help get the stripped bolt out
3) don't know
4) One phrase.....lefty loosey, righty tighty...

add: Always use 6 point sockets on a car. Even high quality 12pt sockets will strip out.

 

alright, ill try the 6pt's on thursday when i go at it again.
Why 6pt tho? i always was taught to use 12pt's when working on cars.

I also think im going to pick up one of thoes bolt out sets from sears today.

 

Now please dont take offense to this, but who the hell tought you that???????? This is basic stuff here.

The only time you should use 12 pt sockets are for either low torque stuff, or ferry head bolts (12pt bolts) Otherwise, its a major no no. (its ok with larger size bolts (IE bigger than 3/4, common with 1/2 and 3/4 drive) Stick a nut inside a 12 pt socket, and take a look at how much of the socket is driving the sides of the nut. Now stick it in a 6pt and look. There is WAY more surface contact with a 6pt socket, which means the load is spread more evenly on the bolt... hence harder to strip bolts out. Also, Impact guns and 12 pt sockets (unless 12pt bolts) absolutly NEVER mix. Its alot easier to strip something out with an impact gun than it is with a ratchet, forget an impact and a 12 pt. My second question is why are you using an impact gun with caliper bolts? A 3/8 turned down is accpetable, but def. not 1/2. Yes, Impacts are very nice (and almost fun) to use, but you need to know that they have thier place... caliper bolts arnt one of them. Im also guessing you wernt using an impact socket were you? Another mistake. Your wearing out your hand sockets alot faster by using them with an impact... hand tools (chrome) are made from chrome vanadium (or a slight variation of it) Impact sockets are made from Chro-mo (chome Molybdenum) which is a tougher steel.

Dont take this the wrong way, but step back and ask yourself if you should be playing with his car, let alone his brakes. These are seriously basic "rules" that you violated. I dont want to sound like a jerk here, but like I said, this is some seriously basic stuff.

Also, Id like to add that there are exceptions to this rule of using a 12 pt socket... soemtimes for space/ clearance issues a 12pt is needed, but 6 pt sockets should be the first ones you grab.

Jim