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Hi Chaps,
Decided to clean up my pads, as they were a little squeeky yesterday, took the little clip off the bolt, and as I turned the bolt it feel as if it were sticking on the way out, so turned it back the other way a little and the head sheared off!
The bolts were greased when put in, as I grease all my threads - I still assume it's corrosion, but they brakes are about 2 months old, and haven't been ridden that much.
They were torqued up quite lightly, as I'm pretty gentle with stuff.
Bonkers.
So.... I've bought a left handed drill bit set, to see if I can drill it out. The bolt is 2.5mm, so pretty small. What are my chances of it actually working? I guess the drill action will heat the bolt, so helping it free up.
Is it worth popping it to the LBS in the meantime anyway? I've been after a set of LH bits, so they'll be handy to have anyway.
Cheers
Ricks
Just realised something, I haven't actually changed the front pads yet. So the bolt must have been overtightened at the factory, or not greased. Rubbish.
Well, I'll have to see about a warranty replacement then.
From the circlip end, is there enough length to get a pair of mole grips on? If you try to drill it out you'll most likely drill out the threads int he caliper body and then you'll be after a new calliper.
Being impatient, I would drill it, and get a bolt extraction piece for the size of the bolt? Or just take the brake off and send it off if you aren't in a rush.
From the circlip end, is there enough length to get a pair of mole grips on?
There was - until I got the molgrips on it, and it twisted off too! possibly the softest alu I've seen on a bolt.
I think I'll send it back and see about warranty, even though it is most definitley a warranty issue - as I hadn't even removed the bolt before trying today - I think it may be a struggle to convince them I'm just not a numpty who a) over torqued the bolt myself, b) didn't grease the threads or c) didn't remove the circlip before attempting removal.
Although, I remember doing that on a set of CRs I had a few years ago - and the circlip broke.... actually, the head sheering off isn't going to happen in that case, as it's already loose.
I'd go to the hospital just to check you aren't turning into the hulk. Never heard of someone ripping parts of a bolt off with molgrips lol You sure they didn't make the bolts out of cheese and spray them silver?I got the molgrips on it, and it twisted off too!
Exactly the same has happened to me, seems like a design flaw...thinking I will superglue an allen key to the bolt when the times comes for me to change pads, thankfully a long way off...
Take it to any decent engineering shop. They will drill it out and clean out the threads. I doubt you will be able to drill a thread that small square through. You will probably take half the thread out. Bit of a grey area warranty wise. Probably won't even charge you and you'll have it back on the bike quick. Take beer as a thank you. Works wonders 😉
PS Extractors are not going to work on a thread that small. Save your money.
It'll be difficult to drill it out without taking out the thread. The drill diameter would have to be quite small and the drill will wander and still into the thread or caliper. If a nice straight larger diameter hole could be drilled then a helicoil used.