I was going to install my rear brake pads and rotors today and I was about 15 minutes into the procedure when I found that the caliper guide bolts (7mm hex) are severely stripped . I tried all kinds of ways to somehow get them loose, but it just wasn't working. I'm really in a jam now, because I've bought all the parts and cannot get the caliper bolts off. Is there any way to get the stripped bolts off? Anyone had this problem before? I have no idea how they got like that, someone must of really messed around with them to strip them this bad. Also where can I get new caliper guide bolts, because if I am able to get them off, I can't put the stripped ones back on and I really don't want to go to the stealership if possible. Help will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

You could cut away the protruding portion of the rubber bushings and use vise-grips on the bolts. New bushings can be bought along with the bolts.

Or if you remove the entire caliper assembly from the car, you may be able to slide the caliper off the mount and then remove the bolts.

Strange, given that the guide bolts are covered and should not see any of the elements of corrosion. I take it by "stripped" you mean that once you have the hex socket in the bolt, you can't move it, as in "seized," not that you can move the wrench but the bolt fails to move.

If you can't move the wrench, are you turning it clockwise to loosen? Because the bolt is on the back of the caliper, the rotation is reversed when viewed from the front. I don't mean to insult you, but I always start at the easiest solution.

If you can move the wrench but the bolt it is not backing out, I have no solution, unless the bolt moves out part way and then stops. In that case you may need to carefully tug it out with a needle nose. Once the bolt clears the outside part of the caliper it just slides through the bushing and it may need a little encouragement. Clean and lube the guide bolts before reinstalling them.

Good luck!

Strange, given that the guide bolts are covered and should not see any of the elements of corrosion. I take it by "stripped" you mean that once you have the hex socket in the bolt, you can't move it, as in "seized," not that you can move the wrench but the bolt fails to move.




No, I def. mean the bolts are stripped. I can move the wrench in circles, the bolt is practically circular itself, you can't even tell it's a hex anymore. And I checked all of the guide bolts on the rear, they are all the same. What could have happend? What do I do?

remove the two 16mm bolts that hold the entire caliper bracket on. then disconnect the brake hose. at this time you should be able to remove the whole caliper assembly from the car.

purchace an impact driver. this is a device that has a socket receiver on one end. when smacked with a hammer, it transfers some of that impact into a torque - cost me $25 at sears (worth every penny). start with that. buy a socket with a 7mm hex adapter.

if that doesn't work, take an angle cutter and cut a slot into the head of the bolt. then put a chisel into the socket of the impact driver and whack away.

be sure to apply lots of WD-40 while doing all this. good luck

dont you need a compressor for the impant wrench?

Thanks for the help, I will try it out, hopefully I can get them loose.

dont you need a compressor for the impant wrench?

No - you hit it with a hammer and it drives in and applies a torque. Works like a charm.

dont you need a compressor for the impant wrench?

Oops, didn't read your question good - yes, for an impact wrench, you need a compressor. But the tool I'm describing is called an impact driver.

How difficult is it to remove the break line hose from the caliper. What steps should I take to do this? thanks

I just did the same thng on my '85 635, stripped the bolts that hold on the clutch pressure plate. I had to drill the bolt head off, then remove the studs, it worked well, but took some time. This car is built like a tank, small bolts with lots of torque applied.

An impact driver will also work if you can get a good bite on the bolt, which it sounds like you can't. As others have said, if you can remove the entire assembly, then you can work on it at a bench and have a much easier time of it.

Good luck.

How difficult is it to remove the break line hose from the caliper. What steps should I take to do this? thanks

Don't bother... Use HansundFranz's suggestion and pull the guide bolts with a pair of vice grips. Then install new guide bushings and guide bolts after replacing the pads.