Caliper Bolt Problem

[GrassyKnoll]

Hey guys, been a while. Hope everyone is doing good!

So I'm doing new front pads and rotors on Winterknoll's BD. I did the passenger side no problem and when I went to do the driver side, I came to find the top caliper bolt completely seized. After numerous copious applications of PB blaster and several different methods of trying to carefully pry the bolt off, it finally began stripping.

So, it would seem I must drill out the bolt. How would I go about doing this? I'm not sure if a drill will fit there to drill it out... I'm not sure what most people would do in this situation (with very limited space to work with!)

Thanks for the help guys

[mranlet]

This always sucks to do...

Ideally if you can still get an impact wrench and socket on it, this would be the best way to pull it off. Even if you don't have access to air tools you can still get an "impact remover" tool:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/01/impactdriverJPG-2.jpg

If this is no-go, I'd move on to using the point of an air hammer oblique to the center of the bolt in an anti-clockwise direction (loostening). A lot of times the vibration from an air hammer is enough to knock some sense into the threads.

If that is bunk, you'll need to grind the head of the bolt off so that at least you can pull the caliper off. Often when the tension has been releived from the shank of the bolt it will freely turn. If this is not the case, pull the rotor off and drill the shank of the bolt from the front side. I reccomend using a bit that is no larger than the distance between threads on the inside of the hole (make sure you can slide it through the other brake bolt hole).

When putting it back together it won't hurt to use a dab of anti-seize on the threads of the new bolt (which should be procured from a Suabru dealer).

I hope this helps!

[jjs316]

I had a problem with that same bolt on my car when i did my brake replacements. Mine managed to come off without striping though after i used alot of Kroil (A really nice penetrating/Lubricating oil).

Another way you can go is weld (if you have a welder available) another bolt onto it that you can get a good sized ratchet/socket on.

I have a broken subframe bolt i have to drill out..