Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,557
From: Anniston, AL
See if you can get a small pipe wrench in there on them. Are you sure you're turning them in the right direction to get loose? I've never had a caliper bolt that I couldn't get loose with a little extra persuasion. Maybe try a butane torch.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 4
From: Northern ohio
I purchased a set of rotors and pads for the front brakes on my 1999 SL2 but when I got the wheels off I was only able to get one of the four caliper bolt pins out. The heads on the other three have now been rounded off due to the channel locks having absolutely no effect on them... So the next plan was to replace the entire caliper&bracket. But....
What size are these bolt heads???
I tried all of my metric as well as SAE sockets on these heads and none of them are a nice snug fit - all have a concerning amount of play when I put the sockets on. I am afraid to use any of them because with the amount of rust on everything in there I know I will round off the corners... Tempted to try an adjustable crescent wrench, but those are my last resort.
The heads are very thin too compared to other bolts making the possibility of stripping the heads even more probable...
What size are these bolt heads???
I tried all of my metric as well as SAE sockets on these heads and none of them are a nice snug fit - all have a concerning amount of play when I put the sockets on. I am afraid to use any of them because with the amount of rust on everything in there I know I will round off the corners... Tempted to try an adjustable crescent wrench, but those are my last resort.
The heads are very thin too compared to other bolts making the possibility of stripping the heads even more probable...
Way late to this party , but for simplicity and end user enjoyment, i recommend you pick up a set or more of REAL metrinch sockets ( NOT THE ONES ON AMAZON )
i have some German TUV-spec sets since i was 19 years old , way back in 1999. Sure, there is many sockets and tools to pick from, but what stood out to me, was these sockets worked on exotics, without scratching or remove paint off nuts and bolts. ( I worked in collision repair for expensive cars)
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,392
From: Slightly off center
Looks like they grab on the points of the fastener head, not on the sides of the fastener heads. You may not scratch the sides of them, and no they are not notched crappily like a 12 point socket, but it still looks like there may be a good amount of play where the points of the fastener head sit.
Or is that particular shape in that design advantageous because the corner of a fastener head will find its natural resting spot inside each of the arcs regardless of the wear on the different corners of the fastener?
Please do tell
Or is that particular shape in that design advantageous because the corner of a fastener head will find its natural resting spot inside each of the arcs regardless of the wear on the different corners of the fastener?
Please do tell
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,392
From: Slightly off center
You should have seen the rig of different extensions swivel sockets u-joints and other things I had constructed to remove one of these problematic bolts.
I'm sure it had loosened along the way a bit, but the final break loose was accomplished with one of those broken stud removers with the spring-loaded pins. It was the only thing left in my toolbox I could attach to my crazy high torque variable speed impact gun. Got it wedged on there off angle just right, it bound up all the springy pins, broke the bolt loose, mangled the stud remover to the point I had to pry it off, and then took a regular socket and ratchet and took it out like it was nothing.
Oh that was also when I discovered the beauty of 1-in extensions, shortly thereafter followed by the discovery of mid-length sockets. But I don't have time to digress this morning
I'm sure it had loosened along the way a bit, but the final break loose was accomplished with one of those broken stud removers with the spring-loaded pins. It was the only thing left in my toolbox I could attach to my crazy high torque variable speed impact gun. Got it wedged on there off angle just right, it bound up all the springy pins, broke the bolt loose, mangled the stud remover to the point I had to pry it off, and then took a regular socket and ratchet and took it out like it was nothing.
Oh that was also when I discovered the beauty of 1-in extensions, shortly thereafter followed by the discovery of mid-length sockets. But I don't have time to digress this morning
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Oct 11, 2020 10:55 AM