HELP: Rear Caliper Bolt Covered in Epoxy?!?!

[JGardner]

Went to install new brake pads yesterday, finished the right rear and went to start the drivers side rear. Took a look at the caliper bolts (I figured I'd need some PB Blaster and a bit of time) and noticed that the bottom one is covered in a rock hard substance. You can tell it was spread on, but then dried and looks rock hard.

Any idea why someone would do this? I'm guessing that they stripped the caliper bolt, but this seems like a pretty s#!**y fix. I'm assuming I'll need a new caliper, do I need to replace both? The previous owner also had all the work done at the original dealer, and no one else has touched the brakes - what service manager would approve this as a fix!?

Josh

 

[46runner]

Went to install new brake pads yesterday, finished the right rear and went to start the drivers side rear. Took a look at the caliper bolts (I figured I'd need some PB Blaster and a bit of time) and noticed that the bottom one is covered in a rock hard substance. You can tell it was spread on, but then dried and looks rock hard.

Any idea why someone would do this? I'm guessing that they stripped the caliper bolt, but this seems like a pretty s#!**y fix. I'm assuming I'll need a new caliper, do I need to replace both? The previous owner also had all the work done at the original dealer, and no one else has touched the brakes - what service manager would approve this as a fix!?

Josh

can u post a pic? just want to make sure you're talking about caliper pin or caliper bolt. If pin, I actually have 2 you can have.

 

[JGardner]

can u post a pic? just want to make sure you're talking about caliper pin or caliper bolt. If pin, I actually have 2 you can have.

It's the bolt (Pins on front brakes, Bolts on the back brakes). I put it all back together in disgust yesterday but might have time to send through some pictures after work today.

 

[46runner]

It's the bolt (Pins on front brakes, Bolts on the back brakes). I put it all back together in disgust yesterday but might have time to send through some pictures after work today.

Are you referring to the two "pins" below? If so I have two you can have.

 

[JGardner]

Are you referring to the two "pins" below? If so I have two you can have.
View attachment 251352

It totally IS! Thanks so much for the offer. However I think it'll probably just be cheaper to get them locally rather than shipping. There are still some pretty big challenges:
1) Somehow chipping through / getting off the epoxy / JBWeld
2) Extracting the bolt and determining whether it or the housing is stripped (or maybe worse - who knows)
3) In all likelihood I think I'll need a new caliper

 

[Morphyne]

Just buy one non-bracketed caliper and you will be gtg.

 

[JGardner]

Just buy one non-bracketed caliper and you will be gtg.

Color me dense, but what exactly does "non-bracketed" mean?

 

[Morphyne]

this is a non-bracketed caliper. it should be all you need.

Duralast Reman Brake Caliper - Rear C6053 - Read 1 Reviews on Duralast Reman #C6053

although it is not much more to get a new bracket as well

Duralast Bracketed Brake Caliper - Rear 19-B2726 - Read Reviews on Duralast Bracketed #19-B2726

 

[delucat2]

I have been known to use 5 min epoxy to get a bolt to stay put when things are not ideal and time is short or the proper fix is not practical. It lets go with heat (a propane torch is plenty) and a 1/2 inch breaker bar. Acts like a great self locking nut.

However, being that it is the brakes we are talking about, I would just replace the bracket and the caliper.

 

[Flynnster]

The things you find from past owners/shops....

 

[JGardner]

this is a non-bracketed caliper. it should be all you need.

Duralast Reman Brake Caliper - Rear C6053 - Read 1 Reviews on Duralast Reman #C6053

although it is not much more to get a new bracket as well

Duralast Bracketed Brake Caliper - Rear 19-B2726 - Read Reviews on Duralast Bracketed #19-B2726

I see - that makes sense. I went ahead and got the one that includes the bracket. Really not looking forward to working that epoxy off - or bleeding the brakes.

 

[JGardner]

I have been known to use 5 min epoxy to get a bolt to stay put when things are not ideal and time is short or the proper fix is not practical. It lets go with heat (a propane torch is plenty) and a 1/2 inch breaker bar. Acts like a great self locking nut.

However, being that it is the brakes we are talking about, I would just replace the bracket and the caliper.

Yep - picked up a new caliper. Seems way easier than trying to reuse what someone screwed up. Does this look like the epoxy you speak of that can be loosened up with a torch and breaker bar?

 

[fayewong]

Yep - picked up a new caliper. Seems way easier than trying to reuse what someone screwed up. Does this look like the epoxy you speak of that can be loosened up with a torch and breaker bar?

I wonder why someone would even put epoxy in there. what. .. lol. Makes changing calipers a nightmare.

 

[nevada]

calipers should be changed in pairs. so go ahead and get the other one also.

 

[JGardner]

calipers should be changed in pairs. so go ahead and get the other one also.

Crap - the other one looks to be in such good shape though. I was so excited about how easily I changed the pads... and then I saw the epoxy mess on the other one. Stopped me in my tracks

 

[JGardner]

I wonder why someone would even put epoxy in there. what. .. lol. Makes changing calipers a nightmare.

Yep - I really have no idea. And it'll certainly be more of a pain. It just doesn't make sense to me, I don't even know what it's functionally doing!

 

[Morphyne]

Calipers should not be replaced in pair. Pads and rotors yes. not calipers. that's just spending money to spend money.

 

[JGardner]

Calipers should not be replaced in pair. Pads and rotors yes. not calipers. that's just spending money to spend money.

Thanks for this - I thought I was good just to replace the one.

 

[nevada]

Calipers should not be replaced in pair. Pads and rotors yes. not calipers. that's just spending money to spend money.

you are wrong sir.
in fact, its the opposite of that. rotors can be replaced singly, although its a good idea to do them in pairs. but calipers really should be replaced as a set. they work together in a hydraulic system.

if he changes just one, in a couple years he will be back here asking why one side has more/less wear than the other.

 

[Morphyne]

Well. You think what you like. It's good to replace all kinds of things. its good to have new stuff. But hes replacing a damaged caliper. Not a frozen one. And rears are much less prone to freezing that the fronts. And just because you think one will go bad down the road is no reason to replace it prematurely. Is it BEST practice to rpeace both calipers? Sure. Is it necessary. Not at all.

By your logic (they are part of the same hydraulic system) he should replace all four calipers. And what sense does that make? We don't drive race cars for a living. We drive 4x4 grocery getters to and front work and then on the weekends we turn wrenches to get our jollies. Don't over think it.