Delima with a Bolt

[Mr Jensee]

I ordered and got a new rear tire for the Voyager but now I have run into problems. I cannot remove the bolt holding the disk brake caliper on the right swing arm. I have tried everything I know to do. I cannot use an impact wrench because the bolt is recessed and too narrow an opening for a 19mm impact to fit. Sprayed the bolt with PB Blaster penetrating fluid and currently waiting till tomorrow to see if anything loosens. Bought a 6 pt 3/8" drive quality socket today hoping I could apply enough pressure or use a hammer to make it budge but no dice. It is like the bolt is welded in place and I was the last to remove it last time I changed the tire. I know I could not have tightened it that much. If all else fails I may have to put a torch to the bolt tomorrow. Anybody have any suggestions I am willing to hear them out. I could really use some help.

[cushman eagle]

We sometimes have problems like that in our repair shop.We have used a 1/2 drive socket and ground the O.D.down enough to fit in the recess and used a 1/2 drive impact wrench.Yeh, you don't like to do that to a good socket,but it may do the job. Maybe you don't have air available,in which case a hammer driven impact driver may do the job.

[Lucasind]

https://www.amazon.com/HF-tools-Self-ig ... B001UIYM28

I keep a few of these cheap little orange "micro-torches" from harbor freight handy for such occasions, they focus the heat on just the area needed to do the job.When I first bought a few of these ( I keep one in the shop,one in the service truck,and one in the basement workshop) I figured they would be used a couple of times and then tossed ! am surprised at having them nearly 10 years now and all three still work ! and did I mention they are cheap ! good luck with that bolt ,

[ekap1200]

Also, to add to Loren's reply... Mac-Tools sells a 12 point- 1/2drive metric impact socket that fits like a glove. Used with a 36" breaker bar , it has no choice but to loosen up.... And I have taken an air chisel with a 1/2 flat point and given the center of the hex a few second blow to jar the threads. Then if all else fails, the torch

[Mr Jensee]

Lucus, Gene, I bought one of those little torch heads yesterday at Harbor Freight. The bad news I have to find some canisters of propane somewhere today if want to go that route. I have several 12 pt. sockets but afraid that they are going to strip or ruin the bolt if I use them. I did use one yesterday but nothing would budge. I sprayed the bolt with the PB Blaster and hoping it loosens up a little today. I either now need to buy the propane or thinking of buying that thousand pound torque impact driver on sale for $94 at HF today. If a thousand pound impact cant budge it I figure nothing will. Cant understand why it is that tight. I do know that if I get it out it will never go back in dry. I plan to lube that sucker to the hilt. If any of you guys have a better plan, PM me with you phone numbers and I will call you back on my cell. I really need some good advise on this. I don't want to ruin anything. BTW I may try grinding down my impact socket like you suggested. I never thought of that one. And yes I have big air compressor capable of holding 150 lbs of air pressure.

[cranky]

... I"ve heard it said before, not a wrench!, try to tighten it first
to break it loose a tad, before hitting it to unloosen it.... best
to Ya!!!! .... I've dug a few good holes in my life also..... sigh....

[Mr Jensee]

SUCCESS!!!! I went and purchased the more powerful impact tool. It is 750 lbs of torque. Fortunately I found out that the impact sockets I have did fit in the hole surrounding the bolt. I used the tool on the bolt for a good ten minutes without it breaking loose. I then took the 1/2" impact extension and put it on my 1/2" big ratchet and applied some pressure and bap, it broke loose. The bolt isn't messed up so it was reusable. Took the tire to Cycle Gear and they put on the new tire and balanced it in ten minutes. There is some injustice about spending the better part of two days to get a wheel off and only ten minutes to put a new one on the rim. It has taken me most of the rest of the day to reassemble the bike but at least all the hard stuff is done. Now to the Tylenol and tramadol for the body aches this cost me. Thanks for the ideas and the help. Tonight I will sleep well.

[cushman eagle]

Glad you got it out without rounding the head ! You did lube it when you put it back together,right

[Mr Jensee]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[Lance McCaw]

Glad you got it out. But did you say you had an extension on your impact gun? That takes away a lot of the purpose for impact. You lose the hammer effect cause it bounces in the extension.

[Mr Jensee]

That perhaps is true Lance but the muffler got in the way of being able to go directly to the bolt with the impact driver. However I did buy a impact tool with an 5" extension already built into the unit. This allowed me to use only a 4" extension. I don't know if the impact driver actually loosened the bolt or a combination of things but I just thank the Lord it worked. My plugged tire was starting to lose air so I am glad I was able to get the tire changed. I won't risk my safety on a plugged tire.

This was a beautiful weekend. I am just bummed that I spent the entire weekend on changing a tire. I would rather have spent it out riding and enjoying it. The world is grateful that I am not a paid mechanic.

[Lance McCaw]

Well hopefully next weekend will still be good riding weather. Glad you got it fixed.

[cranky]

Glad you got it out without rounding the head ! You did lube it when you put it back together,right

... you beat me to that one!!! GBG Glad it turned out great!!!!!!! Big pat on the back!

[starrider]

Had the same issue with my 02. Used 1/2" drive breaker bar with a cheater bar after the impact didn't work. Never seez on the threads when put back together. Couldn't believe what a bugger to get off. 03 came apart with no trouble when I put pads on it this Fall.

[VoyKimmer]

I use anti seize on all bolts and nuts I take apart on all my vehicles. Especially on brakes. Never get stuck bolts after using it.

[Mr Jensee]

I didn't have any Never Seize so I used water resistant grease to grease up the threads. Also watched how much I tightened the bolt.