240D caliper bolt re-use?
 

I have to change the brake pads in my 82 240D, and am having a hard time finding replacement caliper bolts. The manual says that you should only use the bolts once (they seem to have some sort of self-locking glue in them). I can't seem to find any locally (I suppose I could drive 45 minutes to the dealer and get some), but I was wondering about re-using them, maybe with some high temperature threadlock. Is this a bad idea, or standard practice? Thanks for any info..

Max Behensky

When you buy the new MB bolts, they come with some blue thread lock on them. the bolts done`t go bad. I think they recommend it so someone doesn`t reuse the bolts w/o usung a thread lock of some type.

Run the bolt on a wire wheel, and then use the blue thread lock. Or I guess you could add it to what is there already.

There really isn`t any high temperature on the bolts

Charlie

So long as you clean away the old glue and degrease replacing with an appropriate (check the heat rating - some manufacturers recommend uses for their products) thread locker is generally considered to be perfectly OK here. I'd certainly be happy with that solution.

Crikey that Charlie is fast!

Thanks, folks-

I pretty much thought that was the case. I talked to a local dealer, and asked them. They said that they hadn't sold any of the ones for the rear calipers in the past year, and that was a pretty good indication that people were threadlocking them.

If you are just replacing the pads, there is no reason to touch the caliper bolts.

Oops, what a chowder head I am. The previous poster is correct. Now I remember; you don't have to remove the calipers to remove the pads (unlike most cars). All you do is drive those two pins out and the pads come right out. Too bad I just took the calipers off..

Oh well live and learn - whilst you have the calipers off the car you can at least clean them up a lot better and do a real good check for leaks.

Make sure you clean those bolt threads - some thread locker manufacturers will even sell you some special cleaner!

:D

Charlie

Depends a bit on how long the pads have been in there. In my experience the pads don't come right out but need quite a bit of coaxing. I had to use a impact puller.

Yeah, changing brake pads is usually a 10minute job (per rotor) once you know how to do it.

Check your rotors and replace if significantly thinner towards the inner as compared to outer edge. Easy and fairly inexpensive job as well.

The old rotors make great boat anchors or paper weights.