C5 replacement - almost a disaster

Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Yesterday I drove it 220km to Rotterdam to put it on a ferry!!! All seemed to be going well....a little too well....

2km from the port I stopped at a light. When the light went green, the car wouldn't move. It felt like the brakes had seized so I put the hazards on and had a look.

P1010089.jpg


One wheel was turning so I dragged the other off the road to take a closer look. I jacked it up, took the wheel off and found:

P1010092.jpg


The pass side C5 caliper had lost one bolt to the spindle/wheel bearing completely and the other was barely in. If that had gone, would I have lost the wheel?

Do people loctite these bolts in?

As it was, the caliper was wedged against the brake disc and the wheel was seized. I was able to loosen it but I am worried that the caliper is bent irreparably. Not a cheap fix.

It looks like the two bolts that hold the calipers together are bent so I think I need a new caliper.

Can you buy a grey C5 right hand side caliper easily? Is there anyone that can refurbish them? I'm calling Turbo Time later as that's where I got them originally.

Where can I get the high strength bolts that came in the kit? Are they easily available?

As soon as it gets to the US I need to remove the weak bolt, remove and replace the damaged caliper and pads and bleed the lines before driving it anywhere unless there is a cheap way of getting it towed from New York port to Wilmington.

I'll cover gas and food/beer if anyone has a trailer/spare day to help me with this?
 
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MikeRenz

not stock
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

:eek:

this is why i include loctite in my kits! Yes, you should loctite them. I have the bolts you need, and can probably get you a caliper by the time it lands in NY.
 
91blazins10

91blazins10

Active member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

This has happened to me as well, put some loctite on there and torque em down really tight.
 
bezerk

bezerk

New member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

right hand side? was it driver side or passenger side?
looks like the bolts weren''t torqued down at all.
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

RED loctite at that, and don't be a pussy when you tighten them.
 
svoguy2000

svoguy2000

That Just Happened
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

Once the bolt is tight with loctite. Is there any reason why you cant spot weld the head of the bolt in place? I thought of doing that to mine when I do the conversion.
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

i suppose you could try to tack it...but you could just use some locking wire instead
 
svoguy2000

svoguy2000

That Just Happened
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

True. I have 4 pounds of .032" stainless safety wire. I'll prolly just do that.
 
hatrik8

hatrik8

Donating Member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

Geez. I need to check my bolts. I don't need any headaches. I barely drive the truck as it is. It would be a pain in the ass to have a problem with it on the rare occasion I try to enjoy it.
 
Daron

Daron

Active member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

After reading about this issue on da board, I did the red loctite... Only have about 1000 miles on the conversion so far. Safety wire would be cheap insurance.
 
warmpancakes

warmpancakes

New member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

the torque on these is 45 or 60 IIRC and its a common problem if they are not torqued properly and they are loctited from the factory
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

Jesus - seems common.

will buy a new one, loctite it and tighten the motherfu uckin hell out of it.

Thanks for the responses and the link to the new caliper. I'll check the other one as well.

right hand side, the passenger side., sorry for the confusion.

Not a risk worth taking. Wish I'd double checked those.

Cheers guys :)
 
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jpalmer

New member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

Quickstop [UK] said:
Thanks - that's the one. It says it is black and mine are grey, or am I just colour blind? Is there a grey option?

Renz - how do I go about getting these parts? Truck arrives in the US in 4 weeks, I get there tomorrow! :)

Cheers again fellas..
Click to expand...

There are black powder-coated ones and there are naked ones. you probably have a naked one. look on eBay, for 150 you could have 2 new front ones. just may take time. The one from core looks naked to me, i would call them and double check before ordering.
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

Thuis colour:

DSC00045.jpg


from my truck. Is that bare or black to you?

Spoke with Jax so got it in hand. Maybe can repair it but I need a new one to drive it home :(
 
bezerk

bezerk

New member
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

get a junker than. i have a caliper here. you want it. i can ship. but prolly cheaper to get a junkyard piece over there
 
Daveman2

Daveman2

Autox Blazer
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

I've had the same problem - you have to tighten the living hell out of them, and loctite them. These bolts are the most important part of doing brakes jobs on S10s IMO, the only as important bolts that require special tightening are the lug nuts.


I lost one of my bolts while driving, and now one of my wheels has a slight groove on the inside:rotf:

It made a huge CLUNK on the freeway, my brakes worked fine on 2/3 of the pads, and I drove around with a hose clamp(yes a hose clamp, going through/around the caliper/spindle hole) after i pulled over at a gas station and found what was wrong and fixed it. Ordered a new caliper bolt and haven't had any problems since.
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: C5 replacement - almost a disaster

Rene - if you're in Rotterdam in the next two weeks, let me know - the truck hasn't gone yet.

Daveman - yeah, lesson learned. Wish I had torqued them. Don't remember seeing anything in the kit. Never again!
 
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