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Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:16 am
by Jac-al
Hi, I had an accident a month back and the bike was airlifted and landed with the front wheel hitting the ground quite hard. Since then when I brake it shudders and feels like the top yolk is loose, I've loosened and tightened everything but no luck. I've determined the front wheel and discs have a slight buckle. Also the axle might be bent, I tried to get the front wheel off to get it repaired, all the bolts came off fine except the left caliper mouning bolts which I have now stripped, I tried drilling etc but it won't budge. How can I get them off?
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:04 am
by lukemillar
If you mean the head is rounded, then the best solution I have ever found for this is to hammer a torx bit that is slightly larger than the allen key fitting. You have to use one that is big enough to get a purchase on it but it usually pretty successful.
Much safer than drilling it out/ using easyouts
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:11 am
by Jac-al
What Allen key fitting? Mine are round on the inner and now almost round on the outer. I've used WD40, tried a mallet and screwdriver but no results. I think the axle or fork might be a little bent holdin it in place
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:39 am
by Drunkn Munky
Your not making any sense, a picture might help
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:10 am
by thunderace
Caliper bolts are normally hex head bolts, 12mm or 14mm spanner jobs.
You could try hammering on an imperial socket and use an impact driver to remove it

Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:24 am
by Drunkn Munky
Yeah but whats a possible bent spindle or fork got to do with a rounded off caliper bolt?
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:31 am
by thunderace
Erm, he's asking how to remove a stripped caliper bolt.....
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:53 am
by Drunkn Munky
Yeah but striping a bolt means you've fucked the thread, its unclear from the OP whats he's done and further confused by saying a bent axle or fork might be holding it in. Now maybe its too early in the morning for me but what the hell does a bent axle or fork have to do with getting a caliper bolt out?
Ive got a pretty good idea what he means(as you do to) but to save giving the wrong advice a little clarification might help.
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:59 am
by Jac-al
Something has caused the bolts to bend which is why it jammed in. Not to worry, I'm takin it to a shop later where they can get them out
Re: Caliper bolts stripped
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:19 am
by Neosophist
Drunkn Munky wrote:Yeah but striping a bolt means you've fucked the thread, its unclear from the OP whats he's done and further confused by saying a bent axle or fork might be holding it in. Now maybe its too early in the morning for me but what the hell does a bent axle or fork have to do with getting a caliper bolt out?
Ive got a pretty good idea what he means(as you do to) but to save giving the wrong advice a little clarification might help.
From the post it seems that after the crash the front end isn't right (the bent x,y,z are his assumptions)
on stripping it down he has rounded the heads of the brake cliper bolts and cant get them out.
Always use the correct socket (6 point is better than a 12 point) make sure it is on properly too. An impct driver might help to loosen the bolt up.