Broken caliper retaining clip?

Tiny
GEOFFU
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 VOLVO C30
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 110,000 MILES
Hi, I'm teaching myself how to change the brake rotors and pads on my vehicle listed above. The front brakes went well, but the rear brakes are more rusted and one caliper retaining clip wouldn't come out and broke off at the base. I couldn't get it out, so I tried drilling it out, but the clip is harder than the caliper metal and the drill bit keeps sliding off and drilling into the caliper itself. I'm currently driving the car without the clip, but I was thinking of just drilling a new hole into the caliper beside the old blocked hole in order to install a new clip. I read online where someone else did this and it worked. Is it a good idea in this situation? BTW, I have to rent a garage each time I work on my car, because I don't have one myself, so I don't have a lot of time to play around and can't leave the car there overnight. Thank you!
Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 AT 10:43 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
Hi,

I attached a pic below just as confirmation. Is the purple silencer what you are having issues with? You will have trouble drilling because it is spring steel and very hard to drill.

If that is correct, if you oblong the hole or drill alongside it, chances are that clip won't stay seated when you install the new one.

Before I was to drill more, I would soak it down with a good penetrating fluid and allow it to set. Then I would heat around that point to force expansion in the caliper itself. At that point, tap around the area and see if you can get it to come loose.

Don't laugh, but if it is recessed, get your hands on a good magnet and see if after heating and tapping near it if the magnet will draw it out.

Let me know if I have the correct part.

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
GEOFFU
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much for your response! Used a lot of penetrating fluid when I first tried to remove the clip and still broke it off, there's a lot of rust, but I'll give a try to your suggestion of heating around the broken clip and see if that loosens it. I'll try a magnet, too. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
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Friday, March 17th, 2023 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
Hi,

You are very welcome. If you have a chance, let me know how things turn out for you. If this doesn't work, we will move to plan B. LOL

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, March 17th, 2023 AT 8:37 PM

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