NFB: Broke off Caliper Bolt

[Benm109]

Just as stated above, I was checking the front brakes on the family beater car, a 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis. I was finishing up but when I tightened up the last caliper bolt, it snapped and broke. It's broke about halfway in the caliper, which also means that the caliper cannot come off. After I first did this, I figured that I could just use my Craftsman screw extractors (despite the name, it works on bolts too), which I have used before with success. So I drilled a hole in the broken off section of the bolt and tried using the screw extractor, but the broken bolt won't budge at all. I don't know what to do now. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? I'd like to get this car back on the road as soon as I can, but right now I'm stuck. Thank you for any help.

Ben

[Mike71]

i know i can not help u..and im sorry for that

but a friend of mine broke a bolt off in his thermostat on his 95 civic..now it is leaking

so i was wondering if u could explain the screw extracters u use??

again i know im of no help im usually not lol

[Benm109]

Yeah, I can explain.

The "screw extractors" look kinda similar to drill bits. To use them you drill a hole in the center of what you broke off, then you put the appropriate screw extractor in the chuck of the drill and in the hole you drilled. Put the drill in reverse, and when you do this the screw extractor should dig into the broken bolt/screw and unscrew it loose. This is probably not the best explanation, but you should get the general idea. I got mine at Sears, they're Craftsman. It all works similar to an E-Z Out, IIRC.

Does anybody have any suggestions or advice at all yet? I'm still stuck.

[Christopherrr]

wow...you got yourself in bind....if you couldn't get them out with the extractors....you're up a creek.

is it the top or bottom?

if it was me...as long as it either or you still can change you pads...as for your rotors, you have to get the caliper off. Until then, I'd try to forget about it for now.

If you can't get off, looks like you're gonna be operating...you might want to cut the bolt off (in between the caliper and bracket) and try to extract them in smaller pieces..

[Benm109]

Well, I just now got it off. It took a combination of heat (from trying to cut it), WD40, drilling, and a vise grip to back it out. I think I was about this { } close to setting the car on fire. Luckily I got it out, though. Another leason learned, I guess. Thank you for the suggestion, LimTeng99TransAm. It was the upper caliper bolt and I was attempting to cut it off, just like you said. I'm just glad it's over .

Thank you once again!

[DeWynter]

Next time if there is one buy a set of easy outs. They are kinda like scew extractors, but they are a square block of steel with teeth cut into them. you must dril a pilot hole first. One not never break them off because if you do they are made of harder steel than any drill bit so then your up the creek!

[Mike71]

so what would u suggest to do if u can not get a drill in level with the busted screw..what i mean is if i tried to drill a hole the hole would not be straight

...it looks like there is enough of it sticking out to grab it with a pair of vise grips..but id rather not start out the dumb and dumber way, rather save that as a last resort

also congrats on getting the bolt out =)

[DeWynter]

Can you center punch the bolt?
that may be just enough to start the hole, also try using a small hole forst then drilling it out.

[Mike71]

center punch..sweet thanks for the tips =)

[Benm109]

A center punch is a good idea, I'm going to have to remember that one. If you can't get it with a center punch, I would try some pliers or vice grips on the bolt. Drilling it (either drilling the center and using something like an E-Z Out or screw extractors) should be a last resort, at least in my opinion. It's not fun.

[Mike71]

im just affraid that if we try and pull it out with a pair of vise grips we might deform the hole..or mangle the bolt so much we cant get a drill bit to sit in the middle of it

i told the idiot not to force things lol thats what he gets for working on the engine while it is piping hot