Replacing a wheel bearing and rotors/pads on my 04 Tahoe.

Previous owner seems to have worn out/stripped the Torx head on the lower caliper pin bolt on the drivers side. I can seat a T55 in it, but any movement to break it loose just makes it pop out again.

Any tips to get it removed? Is it possible to replace the pads and brake hardware with the caliper mounted on the bracket?

 

Not to my knowledge, there is not.

However, there are professional grade adaptable/self-adjusting air-powered driven sockets that would almost certainly remove this bolt, but you'll need to get a new one to replace the old bolt as they usually tear up the bolt-head in the process. I am not a professional tech, but I know that people here, like tech2, a working professional automotive technician, could likely address this issue better then I can do. I don't own any air-powered tools, but perhaps a look on Youtube might help you out too.

Lots of "shade-tree" mechanics, and professional technicians post automotive videos there, like Scotty Kilmer down in Texas does all the time, about many automotive and mechanical issues.

The only advice I can give you is that I always use "Never-Seize" on bolts like these, even if I don't live in the "rust-belt" where corrosion is a real issue for many people
with vehicles that have many more corrosion problems, then we who don't live in these states/areas have to deal with. I am sure a professional can remove this bolt.

Best of luck, Aruzaa!

 

remove the top caliper pin bolt...lever the top of the caliper back. when it tilled far enough back from the bracket...push the caliper to the center of the vehicle...the caliper will slide out with the pin still attached to the caliper

 

Thanks For correcting my mistaken advice, tech2.
I surely blew it on that one didnt I ?

 

Thanks for all tips. I managed to change the rotor and pads with the lower caliper pin still in place. I’ve ordered new pins (with bolt heads), and will replace them soon. But I’ll probably need help from a shop to remove the stripped pin...

 

lol...once in a while...I get one right!

 

Thank you! I know this post is a couple years old, but your comment is the only reason I don't have to take my vehicle to a shop! One side had 18mm bolts on the caliper from prior brake work, and the other side (HAD) T55 bolts. I read this and got the pads out with one stuck T55 in and it slid out like you said. Thanks man!

 

where did you order your pins and bolts from?

 

New bolts, pins, & slides came with the new calipers & pads. Was the case when purchased from both NAPA and OEM from GM dealer.

 

I had the same problem. I removed the caliper mounting bracket with the caliper still attached, disconnected the brake line.
I put the whole thing in a vise and using an air impact wrench, with my body weight on it, it still wouldn't budge. Using a friend with a long breaker bar and pipe extension, and my body weight on the torx it was loosened.