Help with brakes!

**Pyro81** · 09-11-2009, 05:18 PM

I'm trying to change my pads and rotors on my truck. And there are 2 torx head bolts that hold the caliper in the caliper bracket. I need to get at least one of them out in order to swing the caliper out and get the old brake pads out. And i can't get the stupid things to budge! I've soaked them in pb blaster and even taken an impact gun to them and all i'm doing is breaking the teeth off my torx bit. Any suggestions other than drilling them out? Or if anybody has any creative ways to get the old pads out and the new pads in without having to remove them bolts i'm all ears!

**Pyro81** · 09-11-2009, 05:36 PM

Nevermind! I figured out a way. I'm taking pics and when i'm finished i might try to write up a how-to for future use.

**vncj96** · 09-11-2009, 05:38 PM

They could be reverse threaded.

**Pyro81** · 09-11-2009, 06:44 PM

No, they're not. I tried going both ways with the impact gun. A few times the bolt would move a little bit both ways but then completely locked up all together. It doesn't matter now, anyways. I figured out a way to get past removing those pins. It's a bit of a pain in the ass but it's doable. I'm finally finished with the front drivers side corner. I just finished removing the old rotor on the other side and just taking a quick break to get something to drink and rest my knees. They don't like the hard floors...even with kneepads...

My mother always told me when i was young that whenever i get frustrated about something to stop and calm down. Then look at it calmly and think about it. I should learn to head my mothers words more often...

**Jimmiee** · 09-11-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Pyro81

No, they're not. I tried going both ways with the impact gun. A few times the bolt would move a little bit both ways but then completely locked up all together. It doesn't matter now, anyways. I figured out a way to get past removing those pins. It's a bit of a pain in the ass but it's doable. I'm finally finished with the front drivers side corner. I just finished removing the old rotor on the other side and just taking a quick break to get something to drink and rest my knees. They don't like the hard floors...even with kneepads...

My mother always told me when i was young that whenever i get frustrated about something to stop and calm down. Then look at it calmly and think about it. I should learn to head my mothers words more often...

Your Mom gave you some good advice!

The caliper bolts can be tough to break loose. A breaker bar usually gets the job done where an impact can break Torx bits, especially the cheap ones. I've found the Snap On bits are much stronger than the cheepo Harbor Freight bits.

**starsilverado** · 09-11-2009, 07:40 PM

Yep breaker bar is the way to go!

**Pyro81** · 09-11-2009, 08:14 PM

I was using a breaker bar...or something similar at least. The biggest problem was keeping the torx bit in the bolt head. The depth of the torx head is so shallow that when you try to put pressure on the breaker bar it just wants to pop out. That's how i chipped the torx bit the first time. I'm not sure what brand my bits are. I think they are a step above harbor frieght but not by much. Snap On tools are good, but massively expensive...i should know, i have several sets of allen sockets and extensions. At the moment i can't afford good tools like that so i'm stuck with the cheapys for a while.

**TRPLXL2** · 09-12-2009, 12:43 AM

I know you already got them broke loose, so I won't waste my time on that part. But I just finished a brake job on my Silverado (05'), and instead of putting the old crappy torx but bolts back in I went to Auto Zone and found these. They are a hex head caliper bolt, this is what the replacement bolts are no matter where you go. Even the Chevy dealer uses these, because I checked with them before I bought them. They were $7.00 for a set of 2, I replaced all of mine for a better piece of mind. Hope this helps!