Started this week to try to remove all of the brake calipers and with my luck my house tools couldn't do it. I was able to do the front left caliper, but damn the rear one was a pain in the F$%#en rear. Damn bolts are on soo good or maybe rusted. Anyone have some tips on making it the easiest way to take them off??? Air tools? Torch?? a lubricant?? Any "detailed" information would be appreciated. Thx.

LoS

 

Are you using a cheater bar ?

If uou don't, you really should. I use an assortment of cheater bars form 2 to 4 ft long. You can get those at home depot or sears hardware, etc. They are sold as pre-threaded gas pipes I believe, they cost less than 5 bucks and they fit nicely on a 3/8 inch socket wrench.

Hope this helps,
Hugues -

 

Soak the bolts in releasing fluid, and as Hugues said, get the right tools. If you can't get the right tools - then put a regular closed end wrench on the nut, and hit it with a hammer. (after it's been soaking for a while) Usually the shock will break it free. Just remember - releasing fluid is your friend.

As a rule, a torch should only be used as a last resort for brakes. You have a bunch of rubber hoses around there, which can melt easily. Also, using a torch will almost always overheat and boil the fluid in the caliper - which means you have to bleed the brakes afterwards.

 

I have the lines disconnected from the calipers already. When i go to use a wrench, no size fits perfect, just a tab bit bigger. And these are craftman tools. When i use the hammer, it just causes the wrench to strip the bolt. I'm going to try some of that lubricant ou, and torching will be last on the list

 

or you should invest in a nice long breaker bar. I srwcked my racthed wrench when i used a long bar to take apart the exhaust system

 

You have a metric tool set (socket wrench + sockets) and it does not fit exactly ???
If it's not metric or you don't have a socket wrench set, plz, invest in one.

Hugues -

 

I am pretty sure its 12-13mm
Dave

 

Go out and buy some brand new nuts and bolts. This way you won't run across this issue again once you are done. Plus you can go crazy with an angle grinder to get that rounded off nut.

 

I just took them to the auto parts store. Literally took them less then 1min to free them from the rotor.

 

You really should have metric tools in order to properly work on this car. Remember ONLY the US uses the "standard" system, so why would a purely JP car use standard instead of metric??? Having the right tools makes a big difference (oh yea...like everyone said, get a breaker bar ).

 

Brake calipers are held on with a 14mm size wrench on my 86/87 cars. ;Righty tighty, lefty lucy *humor*.

 

I have a whole set of craftman tools. Metric and standard. They just are a tad bit loose. Maybe its time for a whole new set of tools which i wouldn't mind.

 

Usually a lot of PB Blaster and a breaker bar works just fine. I just get my old mountain bike handle bar and put it on the end of my wrench and give it some good force.
Those brake bolts are really on there.