Luis de Prat

Yesterday I had plans to remove the rear calipers on the 83 to access the E-brake shoes and replace them.

The retaining pins and pads in the calipers came out just fine, but I had no such luck with the big 19mm bolts that hold the calipers on. They were rock hard and I tried with two different combination wrenches tapping them with a hammer, but no dice.

I'm thinking of using a socket with my torque wrench next, but I don't have a 19mm and it might be too thick to clear the brake line. I managed to replace only the pads, buttoned everything up and at least the car is braking better.

Your suggestions on removing the calipers are appreciated.

MM951

Try soaking them in pentrating oil (they are stuck right?)

Or Oil em up alot!

early85944

Do not use your torque wrench. Unless you plan to have it recalibrated afterwards. Get a 1/2 inch breaker bar and 19mm socket after letting it soak overnight in penetrating oil.

Luis de Prat

Yes, they're plain stuck. Not rounded or anything, though. I thought about oiling them, but it made me uncomfortable to put oil on brake caliper bolts. If I soak them, should I just clean them up really well with brake cleaning fluid after getting them out?

Charlotte944

I had a similar problem with the front calipers on the '87. I soaked them over night with PB Blast and then hit them with an air/impact gun on the lowest setting.

After you get the bolts out, clean the threads with a wire brush and chase the threads in the backing plate with a tap.

SoCal Driver

A good set of metric taps are a must.

Get quality. The one's at Harbor Freight will not do it.

I prefer bottoming or plug taps for chasing threads.

led

What about an impact driver?

BruceWard

I rebuilt all four calipers recently. Buy the 19mm socket you can use it for the lugs as well. I used a combination of differing length extensions and a long ratchet to break them loose. The lenth of extension desired depended on which bolt and what was behind it. I believe I may have tapped the ratchet handle with a rubber mallet on any that were really stuck.

I did not have any problems reusing the bolts, just put them back in there when I was done and torqued them to spec via the Haynes manual. I did not use oil, but my bolts have had 11 less years to get stuck. I would not hesitate to use penetrating oil to break them free then clean it off.

seb928s

Use a cheater bar put it on the end of your ratchet and turn. This will bend it if it's crappy. About 2 feet long cheater bar should do.