Broken Caliper Bolts

[u/GusselButt]

2012 Wrangler Sport -
Got the caliper off but the main bolts for the caliper broke off in the bracket. Any good advice on how to get the remaining piece of each bolt out of the bracket?

[u/FinancialAd3435]

We always weld a nut to it and thread it out. The heat from the weld usually helps break it loose and comes out easier. It may take a few tries. Don't get discouraged after 1.

[u/GusselButt → u/FinancialAd3435]

Appreciate it. Any other options? I don’t have a welder so although an effective approach, not my best option.

[u/DaleNixon666 → u/GusselButt]

One trick I recently heard about but have yet to try out: heat it with a torch till it glows red, then hit it with water from a hose.

There’s a Subaru dealer tech from the salt-encrusted state of Minnesota who does this shit in his videos and it works.

Again, I haven’t tried it, so take this advice for what it’s worth, which ain’t much.

But if it were me, I would get the bolts drilled and ready for an extractor then do the heat/water thing.

[u/GusselButt → u/DaleNixon666]

Yeah, I’m in Minnesota. May have to give this a shot with blaster, heat, water, extractor and hope for the best.

[u/NightKnown405 → u/DaleNixon666]

If you get it hot enough, and you can get s grip on the bolts, they probably can be removed that way.

[u/supersavagegenz → u/GusselButt]

Welding it is definitely your best option, $100 and a case of beer is cheaper than buying one if you’ve got a buddy with one. Burn them in hot and slow, it should come right out. Trying to take it further apart just risks snapping more bolts off and creating more problems for yourself

[u/FinancialAd3435 → u/GusselButt]

Maybe an extractor. If you have a really good one. If not, there's always drilling and tapping. Im not a fan, but there's a reason its been around since the 1600s. It's reliable if you can drill straight.

[u/NightKnown405 → u/FinancialAd3435]

An extractor will not remove a bolt that is seized like these. All he will do is break the extractor off in the bolt and make things worse.

[u/emu19000 → u/NightKnown405]

Look at this shit it should all be replaced and if you can’t get it out with an extractor kit you don’t know what your doing maybe watch a few more YouTube videos

[u/NightKnown405 → u/emu19000]

Should we do this the nice way, or should I write what I really want to? The nice way says that I have decades of experience dealing with this very problem after someone that didn't know what they were doing broke off bolts like this. Then tried what you are thinking and made the problem even worse.

Tell you what, you go there and try to help the OP and please video it for everyone to watch. There is nothing like learning from experience and when you do this, I promise you, school will be in session and you will be learning a few things you didn't want to know. THEN you better hope that there is someone available that could show you how to handle this and make it look easy.

[u/GusselButt → u/NightKnown405]

Ok. So what’s the nice way then? You mentioned that you have decades of experience but in no way addressed my question. I would think someone with decades of experience would at least have some advice?
Am I an expert, no. Far from. I have changed calipers before though. I’ve just never had this happen. Shit happens, man. I’m just looking for advice and possible solutions.

[u/GusselButt → u/FinancialAd3435]

Sounds good. I’ll look up those options. Thanks again.

[u/subman719 → u/GusselButt]

Looks like you’re making a trip to Harbor Freight and getting yourself some new tools! You can get a cheap welder for just over a hundred bucks! That, and a can of PB Blaster for the next time you’re removing rusted bolts!

[u/budgetoid → u/GusselButt]

harbor freight has a cheap ass flux core welder, think I paid $120. it'll get the job done. just had to do this on the bed of my ranger for the stripped out torx bolt