Simon_CSK Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 I have been working on the brakes of my L322 TDV8. When I removed the callper one bolt holding it to the car hub sheared while being removed. The calipers are Brembo cast aluminium so as above I now have a bolt stuck in. Fortunately there is a sizable portion sticking out above the caliper enough to allow me to grip with Mole Grips. What I need to know is can I use the tried and tested method of applying heat to the alloy and gently rocking the bolt back and forth until it releases or should I use another method on the caliper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Gentle heat should do it doesn't take much to expand aluminium regards Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 If your in doubt, send it down to me and I'll drill it out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 I suggest that you apply heat to what is left of the bolt, rather than the caliper. Maybe drill a hole in a piece of steel sheet to slip over the bolt as a heat shield, and apply blowtorch or whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 5 hours ago, smallfry said: I suggest that you apply heat to what is left of the bolt, rather than the caliper. Maybe drill a hole in a piece of steel sheet to slip over the bolt as a heat shield, and apply blowtorch or whatever. I may be totally out to lunch, but you surely want to gently heat the caliper rather than the bolt. You need to expand the caliper to release the sheared bolt, rather than expand the steel of the bolt making it even more tightly gripped by the caliper. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 Apply plusgas/ favourite release liquid repeatedly beforehand. Ideally over days. As well as above. It all helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romahomepete Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 Probably safer to heat the bolt. The heat will transfer to the caliper and they will exapnd at different rates. Apply your favourite penetrating oil (not WD40) as it cools down. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 As long as you zap the only, not the caliper, welding a nut on would be my choice. Weld spatter won't stick to the aluminium. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 If all that doesn't work, try warming the caliper in an oven, it is supposed to withstand heat after all, and maybe add a squirt of freezer aerosol on the bolt. If the whole thing is warm you should have more bolt wiggling time. Serve with a cold beer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Weld a nut onto the stub that is sticking out. The heat will help unstick the bolt, and you’ll be able to unwind it with a spanner. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_CSK Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 Thanks for your help guys. That was one well stuck bolt. Welded on a bolt three times before we manager to remove it and even then we needed lots of heat on the cali[per. I think someone had cross threaded the bolt. Now will get it helicoiled and refitted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 I don't know how good helicoils are, but may be a new caliper would be a good idea, instead of relying on a modified item of critical safety gear. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 5 hours ago, Troll Hunter said: I don't know how good helicoils are, but may be a new caliper would be a good idea, instead of relying on a modified item of critical safety gear. Mike In aluminium, they are normally stronger than the original fastener, as essentially you are going up a bolt size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 I would have no qualms about using a helicoil. Mo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, Mo Murphy said: I would have no qualms about using a helicoil. Mo Likewise. A helicoil done properly is stronger than a plain thread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_CSK Posted October 13, 2020 Author Share Posted October 13, 2020 It was helicoiled to take M12's which are now fitted and working fine. The helicoil work was done by a local retired Aeronautical engineer so I would think that he has done it right. I have helicoiled into aluminium before for exhaust manifolds without any problem so I am nore than confident that all will be well. Nice to have the car back on the road just need to get one wheel stud changed and then I can get it MOT'd and hopefully sold. Having said that I have four cars that I need to MOT before the end of the month so this is going to be one expensive month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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