Stuck caliper frame mounting bolts, how do we get them out of there?

Tiny
CCALDWELL74
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Had a caliper with a stuck piston. The rotor has to be replaced. We’ve got everything off except for the caliper frame. Both bolts seem to be either rusted and won’t break loose or Loctite was used. Either way, we’ve tried everything we know to break those bolts free. We’ve used a brake free spray and let it sit for hours, we tried the breaker bar and also an impact wrench. Nothing will break loose these bolts. What do we do to get them out of there?
Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 AT 7:02 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Front or rear caliper? 18mm, yep, those can be tight. I might want to try a torch to heat up the bolt which will help loosen the lock tight the factory installs.

Here is a video of the front and rear caliper mounting bracket being removed:

https://youtu.be/9pwFodKAl5A?si=29HUkYpe7R_FWO5C

and

https://youtu.be/EMxfb9X3ywE?si=BwV7CPk84_h3BTtT

A long breaker bar with a good quality 6-point socket is your best bet. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
CCALDWELL74
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
This is the rear caliper. As you can see the caliper piston was stuck and was driven all the while the inside pad was grinding away. Young driver that didn’t realize what was going on. As near as I can tell, either the bolt is rusted some and won’t budge or it is the factory original and has never been removed even though the truck is 18 years old. The breaker bar wouldn’t move it even with a cheater bar added. I haven’t tried heat yet, but I have tried tapping on the mount with a rubber mallet trying to see if I can loosen something up.
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Thursday, March 7th, 2024 AT 4:22 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 54,144 POSTS
Yep, that needs new brakes all right, did not over sell this repair job. :) I would try heat, it works very well. Good socket and a breaker bar when hot. Let me know, thanks for the image.
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Thursday, March 7th, 2024 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Anything?
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Saturday, May 11th, 2024 AT 12:05 PM

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