brake pad bolt allen key thread gone

coyote101

I badly need to take my brake pads out to replace/clean but the 4mm (?) allen key bolt that holds the pads in has lost its thread and won't screw out. Any quick fixes on getting this bolt out without using an allen key? Thanks.

mar_k

drill it out and re-tap

nicklouse

coyote101 wrote:

I badly need to take my brake pads out to replace/clean but the 4mm (?) allen key bolt that holds the pads in has lost its thread and won't screw out. Any quick fixes on getting this bolt out without using an allen key? Thanks.

So has it lost the thread or have you rounded the head?

Two different problems and you seem to ave both.

coyote101

I have rounded the hole out so the allen key won't grip. Cheers

coyote101

Mar_k, how would I drill it out please? Thanks

cooldad

Needle nose pliers?

bikaholic

What brake caliper have you got - 4mm Allen pad retainer bolt seems a bit big for anything hydraulic?

coyote101

Yeah looking at it its less than 4mm, its formula r1.

gezebo

coyote101 wrote:

Mar_k, how would I drill it out please? Thanks

Hi, if the head is rounded and you can't jam a flat bladed screwdriver or use mole-grips to unthread it then you would need an easy-out or such like. You can find these on screwfix or halfords/b+q etc. (it may not actually be called an easy-out we just called them these in work- an engineering firm)

What is it? It's a screw like device with a reverse thread.

How do I use it? Drill a hole down the centre of the stuck bolt and then screw the 'screw' part in and when it grips it you can then undo the bolt by rotating the screw with the reverse thread.

I would have thought the offending bolt would come out pretty easily but if you suspect its stuck then some liberal use of wd40 will help. Also a fairly slow drill speed with oil will help. You don't have to drill right through the bolt, just enough for the screw to 'bite'

Hopefully this makes sense!

cooldad

If it's what I think it's going to be very thin, not easy to drill out. That's a last resort.

bikaholic

If it's this:




The bolt head is not recessed, so either cut a slot into the head or file two flats on it.

But, try the needle nosed pliers on the length of the shaft first - it will be visible from the top.

getonyourbike

I'm sorry but are you for real?! That takes a Torx key, not a hex key! lol

gezebo

getonyourbike wrote:

I'm sorry but are you for real?! That takes a Torx key, not a hex key! lol

Lol, better double check before the black and Decker gets cracked open.

coyote101

getonyourbike wrote:

I'm sorry but are you for real?! That takes a Torx key, not a hex key! lol

Mine takes a hex key.

mar_k

if it pertrudes like the one in the picture then it is possible to cut a groove in it and turn it using a flat blade screwdriver.

coyote101

bikaholic wrote:

If it's this:




The bolt head is not recessed, so either cut a slot into the head or file two flats on it.

But, try the needle nosed pliers on the length of the shaft first - it will be visible from the top.

Thanks for the advice, going to try and get it out this afternoon. Does anyone know where I can buy a pad bolt like the red one in the picture? Or what I would need to type into google......are pad retainer pins universal or would I need to try and find one specific to Formula R1 brakes? Thanks!

cooldad

Don't they normally come with new pads?

coyote101

cooldad wrote:

Don't they normally come with new pads?

Possibly, I found this one at Chainreaction but a tenner for a tiny bolt - WOW!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=64912

allen.coulson

Cut across the screw head with a hacksaw and in doing so convert the torx screw to a flat screw and use a flat screwdriver.

Chunkers1980

coyote101 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Don't they normally come with new pads?

Possibly, I found this one at Chainreaction but a tenner for a tiny bolt - WOW!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=64912

No they don't. Only the separator with new pads.

That bolt is pretty specific as the thread is next to the head. You may also need the c-clip (£2!) but I lost mine a while back and it's not really needed, neither's the bolt really, but it's best that is there.

cooldad

Chunkers1980 wrote:

coyote101 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Don't they normally come with new pads?

Possibly, I found this one at Chainreaction but a tenner for a tiny bolt - WOW!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=64912

No they don't. Only the separator with new pads.

That bolt is pretty specific as the thread is next to the head. You may also need the c-clip (£2!) but I lost mine a while back and it's not really needed, neither's the bolt really, but it's best that is there.

Yeah I was thinking of the std clips and things.