Major problem! Can't remove rear brake caliper....

R8JimBob88
R8JimBob88 Posts: 285
edited January 2011 in Workshop
Help please!

I've gone to remove my rear brake caliper and without realising, I have managed to completely strip the head of the nut that attaches through the frame and onto the screw of the caliper itself.

I'm kicking myself and just can't think what to do!

Any suggestions?
:cry:
If you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got....

Comments

  • Its an Allen key fitting btw
    If you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got....
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Hammer a bigger Torx bit into the allen head and try again but first spray some plusgas type liquid over the bolt.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • If the hammer approach doesn't work, you could try using a Dremel to cut a slot in the bolt head. You can then use a screw driver to remove the bolt.
  • pastey_boy
    pastey_boy Posts: 2,083
    or dismantle the caliper and push the central bolt through the other side . depending on the type of caliper
    Viner Salviati
    Shark Aero Pro
    Px Ti Custom
    Cougar 531
    Sab single speed
    Argon 18 E-112 TT
    One-one Ti 456 Evo
    Ridley Cheetah TT
    Orange Clockwork 2007 ltd ed
    Yeti ASR 5
    Cove Hummer XC Ti
  • Cheers for the suggestions. I may have found a temporary fix but not a cure!

    Basically the story is I was removing old calliper, all went well and i was replacing it with a new shimanno tiagra caliper. I was tightening the nut onto the caliper and the nut got stuck and wouldnt undo (maybe cross threaded?) or tighten any more. The caliper wasn't tight against the frame and was swinging from left to right freely.

    After fannying about the caliper seems to have some how tightened up against the frame which is what I wanted in the first place.... Hopefully it's tight enough but it's late now and I'm of to bed. Hopefully I'll wake in the morning the find it's just a dream... I think the problem was that I accidentally put the old bolt on it instead of the new one and it looks slightly corroded and soft which is why it stripped the head so easily.

    So if I'm lucky, I might not have to worry about this until next time....

    I'll let you know tomorrow what happens!
    If you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got....
  • So I've had a look again today and the caliper has somehow tightening into place and is completely usable. So I have the dilemma of leaving it as it is and using it, or try and get it out and risk damaging the calliper or worse.

    Im off to my mates tomorrow to fit some new derailleurs and other shiney bits and bobs and he has an arsenal of tools to hand so I'll see what he thinks.
    If you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got....
  • You could try glueing an allen key in with some super strong metal adhesive. Just be careful not to glue it to the bolt.
  • c0ugars
    c0ugars Posts: 202
    cutting the bolt and using a long handle screwdriver seems like the best thing you could do, if you do this i would just take my time cutting into the bolt .
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    My guess is that the nut was too long for your new caliper bolt and bottomed out as you tightened it up. That would be why the nut became stuck and the caliper was still loose. As you moved the caliper around the bolt backed out from where it's threaded through the caliper and caused it to tighten up on the frame. In any case this may be OK until you get the nut replaced with a shorter one but for now make sure the bolt head does not interfere with the caliper movement. Just apply the brake and notice if the bolt head is making contact with any moving parts and test the brake to see if the caliper arms are not loose as well. Just a guess though. 8)
  • My guess is that the nut was too long for your new caliper bolt and bottomed out as you tightened it up. That would be why the nut became stuck and the caliper was still loose. As you moved the caliper around the bolt backed out from where it's threaded through the caliper and caused it to tighten up on the frame. In any case this may be OK until you get the nut replaced with a shorter one but for now make sure the bolt head does not interfere with the caliper movement. Just apply the brake and notice if the bolt head is making contact with any moving parts and test the brake to see if the caliper arms are not loose as well. Just a guess though. 8)

    I'm pretty sure that's exactly what has happened. I'm happy to leave as it is for now as it appears completely usuable for now. I'll worry about it when I next need to take it off... :)
    If you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got....