New Pads

[richardc9052]

I bought some Mintex pads for the fto today and went to fit them... got the drivers side done in 5 mins no problem... the bolts on the passenger side calliper wont come off though... ive gone as far as slightly damaging the head of the top bolt (can still be gripped with a socket). Brought it down to a mechanic and only the apprentice was there.. he said he wouldnt touch it. I will have to call back tomorrow when he (mechanic) is there.

Is there any other way i can get them off without having to go down the route of getting another calliper?

Thanks!

[Mitsubishi-Mental]

Have ya drowned the bolt in WD-40 or something to try and loosen it up?

[richardc9052]

yep i sure have.. fair annoying now cos the side that wont come off was the side that squeeks like mad!!!

[Dragonheart]

See here;

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8305

I've had this problem before too. When you put it back in make sure and use plenty of copper grease.

[richardc9052]

See here;

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8305

I've had this problem before too. When you put it back in make sure and use plenty of copper grease.

Not what i wanted to hear! but thanks

[johntony]

the key to any sticky bolt is leverage

[richardc9052]

the key to any sticky bolt is leverage

Problem with that is leverage=force, too much of which = sheared bolt or misformed/rounded head..
I have sprayed with wd40 a few times and will do again tomorrow, leave it for an hour and try again....

[Dragonheart]

Try putting a metal tube over the handle of the socket, gives a bit of extra leverage, but leave the WD40 to sit for a while before applyign the force, might loosen it out a bit. If that fails your looking at one of the methods I used.

[richardc9052]

Try putting a metal tube over the handle of the socket, gives a bit of extra leverage, but leave the WD40 to sit for a while before applyign the force, might loosen it out a bit. If that fails your looking at one of the methods I used.

Well ive left it over night, going out to spray it again now..
I know i know, i just dont like the idea of heating them until red hot... it worrys me that they might be a bit brittle after?? (carry baby in the car a lot so have to take precautions)

[ultrakupra]

You can make a hole with an electric drill on the head of the bolt and unscrew it with a screw driver.I did that on one of the bolts holding the door mirrors and it worked,but you need of course to buy a brand new replacement bolt

[Dragonheart]

i just dont like the idea of heating them until red hot... it worrys me that they might be a bit brittle after??

Leave them to cool down naturally, doesn't take too long, and they should be fine. Once you don't try to speed up the cooling down by putting them in water or anything like that then they won't crack or lose their strength. Heat them up gradually too if you're worried about them, just to get them used to the temperature before going at them full belt. But I had mine heated until they glowed and no issues with them, still a fair amount of twisting to get the bolt out even then.

[richardc9052]

Ok so, i will give it a go if it doesnt work for me this time... heading out to do it around 11, will let ya know the outcome!

[colm_mcm]

Brake components are built for lots of heat, I wouldn't worry too much

[richardc9052]

Ok so it didnt work, went to buy a torch but the guy was out of them... went back to the garage and he said come back tomorrow... GREAT

[ultrakupra]

If you cant take the bolt the normal way,remember you always can remove it by the 'homer simpson' way i told you some posts before

[richardc9052]

If you cant take the bolt the normal way,remember you always can remove it by the 'homer simpson' way i told you some posts before

Only problem though is i dont have access to a new bolt...

[Dragonheart]

I'd get a fella that you know with a good blow torch run off a bottle, a fella in a garage or workshop, they'd also have good quality grips to try to turn it, you'll probably need to put it in a vice to heat it and use a good bit of force with 2 hands on a grips to turn it after burning it. You'll need to try to turn it straight away cause it'll start to cool quickly or the heat will transfer from the caliper to the bolt and expand it so it'll make no difference. Its likely you'll need to hit a socket with a hammer to dislodge it as well for the first few times you heat it. Try to move it, then reheat, the try again. It'll take a few times. Also make sure its around the bolt you're heating, as thats the bit you want to expand.

[richardc9052]

Mechanic sorted this today for me, did a few 50km-0km runs to get them bedded and the stopping force is now 10 times better than when i first got the car.. mechanic said the pads that came off where one of the softest available.. happy now!

[colm_mcm]

Yeah, the mintex ones are good. Cheap and readily available too.

[richardc9052]

I have read a lot of reviews and the only car that doesnt seem to work well with them are subaru's for some reason??? either that or the people who drive subaru's are c0c*s