Arghh rounded bolts!

[Connor]

Afternoon all,

This weekend I attempted (Nervously) to replace my front brake discs and pads.

All was going swimmingly.... wheel off, sensor removed, caliper removed and then when attempting to remove the calliper carrier bolts, they have been rounded!!
As a first attempt at doing this fairly simple DIY job I was absolutely gutted to find out that this bolt head was rounded because I have limited knowledge and now have no idea how to remove it.

I don’t have access to welding equipment and I don’t feel competent at drilling the bolt out so I feel that I am stuck!

Has anyone had any luck with these or similar?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-bolt-grip-nut-remover-set-5-pcs/96028

Thanks in advance,
Connor.

 

[t-tony]

Exactly what you need Connor. But use a big 1/2" socket on the outside of the tool don't try turning it with a 3/8" took.
Also you need a 30 " long 1/2" drive socket bar. These will be FT mate.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Yes I have and these worked brilliantly in my case. Needed them when removing this bolt.

 

[Stevo7682]

Agree with Tony they are the tool for the job

 

[t-tony]

Afternoon all,

This weekend I attempted (Nervously) to replace my front brake discs and pads.

All was going swimmingly.... wheel off, sensor removed, caliper removed and then when attempting to remove the calliper carrier bolts, they have been rounded!!
As a first attempt at doing this fairly simple DIY job I was absolutely gutted to find out that this bolt head was rounded because I have limited knowledge and now have no idea how to remove it.

I don’t have access to welding equipment and I don’t feel competent at drilling the bolt out so I feel that I am stuck!

Has anyone had any luck with these or similar?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-bolt-grip-nut-remover-set-5-pcs/96028

Thanks in advance,
Connor.

One more thing mate, don't forget to have some replacement bolts ready before taking these out. One of our resident breakers should be able to help .

Tony.

 

[Connor]

One more thing mate, don't forget to have some replacement bolts ready before taking these out. One of our resident breakers should be able to help .

Tony.

Thanks Tony, my birthday next week so I’ll ask someone to get me a set of the removal tools.

@spurs fan in a coupe , @mrscalex do either of you have any of these bolts available? The are the m12 caliper Carrier bolts.

Thanks,
Connor.

 

[raymond]

Get a small blow lamp. But be careful how you use it. 5 minutes then cold water has always loosened bolts/ nuts. Did this on my tie rods

 

[5harp3y]

Get a small blow lamp. But be careful how you use it. 5 minutes then cold water has always loosened bolts/ nuts. Did this on my tie rods
View attachment 71617

Not really safe to do that on a caliper thats in situ

 

[5harp3y]

Afternoon all,

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-bolt-grip-nut-remover-set-5-pcs/96028

Thanks in advance,
Connor.

i have these too (well the cheaper Erbauer set) and they are lifesavers.

but as @t-tony says, make sure you use a decent size tool on them.

plus tap them onto the bolt with a hammer to get them seated nice and straight

 

[raymond]

Not really safe to do that on a caliper thats in situ

The caliper is not in situ so heat presents no danger to the caliper. He wants to remove the caliper mounting plate before the discs can be removed.

 

[mrscalex]

Spot on advance from @t-tony . Those Irwin sockets have rescued me on numerous occasions but you must hammer them on so there's a tight fit. And are usually best used with a breaker bar.

I always say a breaker bar is the best value tool you can buy (and those Irwin sockets probably not far behind). A breaker bar is not expensive and what it achieves is phenomenal. It can be a bit difficult manipulating a 30" breaker bar in that area but it's the right size for the leverage you need. If you use a breaker bar with a 6-sided socket that normally avoids rounding the nut in the first place.

These bolts are not the cheapest new. They are about £2.50 each from a dealer. But probably better to do that than wait for me to get round to digging out a set and then paying postage as they are quite heavy bolts.

 

[Andy-M]

Biggest tip probably here is to get a decent set of 6 sided bits, so much safer than 12 sided

 

[t-tony]

And even that is not all there is to say about sockets. Some are what are called "flank-drive" which apply the pressure to the flat sides of the fastening and not just the six corners.

Tony.

 

[DrWong]

I'm currently learning to spanner on my Z and a stuck or rounded bolt would be my worst nightmare. So it's good to know there's consensus from the Brain Trust on an effective (and cheap!) solution.

I plan on adding an electric impact wrench to my toolbox and I'm curious whether these lifesaver sockets can be used with one? Or would the wrench just shatter it in use?

 

[t-tony]

I'm currently learning to spanner on my Z and a stuck or rounded bolt would be my worst nightmare. So it's good to know there's consensus from the Brain Trust on an effective (and cheap!) solution.

I plan on adding an electric impact wrench to my toolbox and I'm curious whether these lifesaver sockets can be used with one? Or would the wrench just shatter it in use?

Not a good idea to use anything other than a steady pull on a long socket bar when using this type of tool. An electric impact wrench is a great addition to any tool set, I use mine a lot.

Tony.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Dumb question time. Why is the caliper carrier being removed when replacing the disks and pads?

One end of the carrier is connected to the hub with normal bolts and the other end to the caliper with Allen head bolts. If the caliper has been removed (Allen head bolts), then there is no need to remove the hub end.

BTW, when a stubborn bolt is encounted, a 6 point impact socket is the best tool to use when you go hard at it, as it contacts on all parts of the bolt head. Saves rounding it with a standard 12 point socket.

 

[t-tony]

I've never tried taking the disc off while the carrier is still attached to the hub on a BMW . I know you can on some cars but never tried.

Tony.

 

[Connor]

Dumb question time. Why is the caliper carrier being removed when replacing the disks and pads?

One end of the carrier is connected to the hub with normal bolts and the other end to the caliper with Allen head bolts. If the caliper has been removed (Allen head bolts), then there is no need to remove the hub end.

BTW, when a stubborn bolt is encounted, a 6 point impact socket is the best tool to use when you go hard at it, as it contacts on all parts of the bolt head. Saves rounding it with a standard 12 point socket.

All of the “how to’s” that I looked at online prior to attempting the job suggested that you had to remove the carrier. If the disk can be removed without removing the carrier then I wasted a lot of time!!!

Connor.

 

[NZ00Z3]

All of the “how to’s” that I looked at online prior to attempting the job suggested that you had to remove the carrier. If the disk can be removed without removing the carrier then I wasted a lot of time!!!
Connor.

My bad, I was going from memory, have checked the how to's and agree that the carrier has to be removed.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

I can help with any z3 bolts from 1.9 or 2.8