Extremely stubborn bolt... can't remove rotors!!!

D

Darren804

Member
Location
San Francisco, CA
I've been trying to remove the two bolts on the bracket that holds the rotor. In the DIY, it says 17mm but mine are 19mm. I have a 2004 FX45.... not sure if that makes a difference.

I was able to wrestle one of the bolts loose.. The second one is a pain. I used a 3/8 ratchet wrench with a breaker bar for more leverage. I managed to crack two sockets and snap the tip off my ratchet wrench. So I decided maybe I need an impact wrench for this. I purchased one with 200lb of torque... doesn't work. I might go pick up another wrench with 340lb of torque but I wonder if that will work too.

Oh I also using a wrench and knocking it with a hammer... WD-40 on that bolt too.

Any ideas? I don't want to give up and bring it to a mechanic shop but this bolt is kicking my ass! =T

Here is a pic from the DIY section... that's the bolt!!!! 4.jpg
 
Last edited:
I just had the same issue and used my car jack under a 12" long version of the wrench shown in your picture (19mm if I remember correctly). The angle you have shown will work, just raise your jack under the wrench until it breaks loose. Be sure the wrench is fully engaging the bolt and BE VERY CAREFUL. It's not exactly a safe procedure but I've done it many times with many different bolts and it always works.

EDIT: I use a hydraulic floor jack with a wide lifting surface. NOT the little scissor jack that comes with the car.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys for the tips. I'm not sure if I can find Kroil, but Walgreens had some other penetrating oil named Blaster Chemical PB. I'll probably try that first. Oh man... this will be my third attempt!

I still can't believe I was able to crack two sockets trying to remove this bolt.

The tip about using a jack....interesting.... I'll probably have someone help me with it so I can make sure the wrench is on properly. Probably be my last resort...I've decided I am not bringing the car to the mechanic... I'm getting this bolt off by myself no matter what!!! =)
 
Success!!!!

- bought a bottle of the Blaster Chemical... sprayed it on 3-4 times 10-15 minute apart and let it soak into the bolt... it still won't budge.
- then I tried the hydraulic jack method....freaked out because it just moved the entire suspension up and I thought the wrench was gonna snap at me... removed jack, tried to use impact wrench... didn't work... frustrated...
- thought about it, suspension travels up and down a lot...I shouldn't mess up anything... jack in place again... raised it up with wrench on the bolt... but this time I stood behind front bumper in case the wrench decides to snap in half haha! after jacking up the wrench so many times it felt like it was going to snap.......pop, and it's FINALLY loosened!!!
- continued to the other side, wrench on bolt, I hammered away with my mallet... 2-3 hits and it loosened!!!
- everything else was a piece of cake!

oh and I figured out the impact wrench I got from Sears.... 200ft/lb torque.... it couldn't even loosen my lug nuts!! I'm definitely returning it and buying something better

Thanks everyone for all your help... til next time! =)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top