TIL a trick for stuck caliper bolts from a guy at the Mid-Ohio swap meet

I was at the Mid-Ohio swap meet last month and got talking to a guy at a tool vendor's booth. He said for a caliper bolt that's seized but not rounded, try heating it with a torch for 30 seconds, then immediately tapping the bolt head with a hammer while you turn it. The shock from the tap helps break the rust bond. I tried it on a 2012 Silverado last week and it worked like a charm. Has anyone else used this method on other parts, like exhaust manifold bolts?

3 comments

3 Comments

cooper.jamie28d ago

That heat and tap trick... does it work on exhaust studs too?

lee825d ago

Man people really overthink this stuff lol. It's just a rusty bolt, not a brain surgery. Heat it, tap it, and if it comes out cool, if not just grab the extractor set. Seen way too many threads where guys act like this is some magic trick.

sethh1228d ago

Yeah that trick works great for exhaust stuff too, @cooper.jamie. I've used it on manifold bolts before, but you gotta be careful with the heat around other parts. Sometimes you need a couple cycles of heat and tap, especially if the bolt is really crusty.