Parking Brake SNAFU

[Steve Waddington]

When I bought my Tahoe a few years ago, the parking brake didn't work. Guy told me it just needed adjusting. I'm in L.A...relatively flat, but we do like to go to the beach, or up Mullholland...and it would be nice to have the parking brake. (I have wheel chocks in the back, just in case.) I tried the cable adjustment, but the pedal still goes easily to the floor with no resistance.

So I researched everything I could here on the forum, and watched ALL the YouTube videos pertaining to inspecting, adjusting and perhaps replacing the parking brake pads in my 03 Tahoe. Seemed simple enough...until...those two %#*&@$ 18mm bolts that hold the caliper carrier. I tired everything in my power to loosen those bolts...no luck! Soaked them with PB Blaster, brought out the hammer...nope...extra long breaker bar...nope. I even had my socket wrench on there...then added an extra length of pipe for leverage...I actually bent my socket wrench! It feels like they're welded on! I KNOW they must have used some sort of thread locker...but this is absolutely ridiculous! So I just put everything back together and said the hell with it...I guess I just don't have parking brakes.

 

[tom3]

Heat. New style propane torch with Mapp gas.

 

[Scottydoggs]

big air gun should get em off. my 350 tq electric impact gun took my rear brake brackets off pretty easy.

 

[Fless]

The install torque spec on the caliper bracket bolts is 148 lb-ft, and lots of folks use blue locktight on them. If the last person in there used red locktight, then heat is going to be necessary. As @tom3 suggested, heat 'em up.

And if adjustment of the shoes doesn't work, there's an adjustment for the pedal mechanism. Otherwise the cables could be stretched.

 

[wjburken]

Not trying to be a smart a$$ here, or show any disrespect, but you’re sure you’re trying to turn them the correct way, right?

I’ve seen a number of people get things turned around when dealing with bolts facing away from them.

I’ve never had that much of an issue getting caliper bracket bolts off and I deal with a lot of upper Midwest rust on cars I have worked on.

 

[Steve Waddington]

Not trying to be a smart a$$ here, or show any disrespect, but you’re sure you’re trying to turn them the correct way, right?

I’ve seen a number of people get things turned around when dealing with bolts facing away from them.

I’ve never had that much of an issue getting caliper bracket bolts off and I deal with a lot of upper Midwest rust on cars I have worked on.

LOL! I know what you mean, but I am positive I am trying to turn the bolt the correct way! I have been working on classic cars my entire life, mostly GM and 1968 or before. These days, whatever I need and don't know, I can usually find on the internet. And with videos too!

However, having said that, I have never seen a bolt so tight that I couldn't break it loose...or break it OFF...with my hammer or my custom-made breaker bar! (a re-purposed hydraulic jack handle) attached to a well-fitting socket! (I'm 6'5", about 235, and strong as an ox they tell me.) And I have a cordless, electric impact wrench, as well as my compressor-driven impact driver.
Nothing in my arsenal would budge those stubborn bolts!

I've never used a torch to apply heat (which probably explains the afore-mentioned broken bolts! LOL!)
I guess I'll have to try a flame thrower! LOL!

 

[Scottydoggs]

LOL! I know what you mean, but I am positive I am trying to turn the bolt the correct way! I have been working on classic cars my entire life, mostly GM and 1968 or before. These days, whatever I need and don't know, I can usually find on the internet. And with videos too!

However, having said that, I have never seen a bolt so tight that I couldn't break it loose...or break it OFF...with my hammer or my custom-made breaker bar! (a re-purposed hydraulic jack handle) attached to a well-fitting socket! (I'm 6'5", about 235, and strong as an ox they tell me.) And I have a cordless, electric impact wrench, as well as my compressor-driven impact driver.
Nothing in my arsenal would budge those stubborn bolts!

I've never used a torch to apply heat (which probably explains the afore-mentioned broken bolts! LOL!)
I guess I'll have to try a flame thrower! LOL!

im one of them lanks too, 6'6 265 ish, ive busted 1/2 inch breaker bars torn through the pipes on the ratchets and breaker bars i was using on this damn bolt. broke a 1/2 drive ratchet too on this bolt. bought one of them harbor freight earthquake 1000 lb tq air guns. that took it off like butter with 120 psi max compressor. i was amazed. normally if im able to pull on a bolt with my feet braced up im gonna win lol

if you go heat, you want to heat up around the bolt's threads, and not the bolt so much, idea is the heat expands the metal, then the bolt is able to come out.

 

[89Suburban]

And not too much heat or kiss the axle seal goodbye.

 

[Steve Waddington]

Yep! That's why I've never bothered with torches. Don't want to fry an innocent part!

 

[JGM70]

Not trying to be a smart a$$ here, or show any disrespect, but you’re sure you’re trying to turn them the correct way, right?

I’ve seen a number of people get things turned around when dealing with bolts facing away from them.

I’ve never had that much of an issue getting caliper bracket bolts off and I deal with a lot of upper Midwest rust on cars I have worked on.

Don't think it's a stupid question. I'm 74 and still do brakes for 3 vehicles. Work on them
when I have to. But learned to take a ratchet and the socket, and ito check which way
I should be going. Caught myself last winter in a cold garage going the wrong way, Right
before the torch, I checked and was going the wrong way. Keep trucking !!