locktite on caliper mounting bolts? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lizem100 · #1 01-16-2003, 12:46 AM

The Star Magazine (MB club mag May 2002 issue) recs using locktite blue on brake caliper mounting bolts but someone else told me not to. What do the experts think?

I have an 87 300E. Does it have fixed or floating calipers? If fixed then I apparently need I punch to remove the pins holding the brake pads. What size punch do I need?

engatwork · #2 01-16-2003, 07:01 AM

Use the blue Locktite on the caliper bolts.
You can use a 20 penny nail to drive out those pins so whatever size punch matches that will be fine.

Potomac Pat · #3 01-16-2003, 08:46 AM

You do have floating calipers & on the front. Which makes swapping the pads a snap.

With the wheel off and the caliper exposed all you need is a 13mm & 15mm wrench to swap the pads.

md21722 · #4 01-16-2003, 09:20 AM

Fronts are floating & rears are fixed.

MB recommends replacing every bolt that they ship with loctite. If you buy the dealer front brake pad kit they ship it with TWO new bolts (ONE per side) beacuse in the shop manual you only remove one, then slide the caliper up or down to pull and reinstall the pads. The emergency brake kit from the dealer includes 4 new bolts for the rear calipers. MB is serious about replacing those bolts!!

But I know a lot of people who rarely or never change them and don't have problems.

Brian

G-Benz · #5 01-16-2003, 03:41 PM

Never replaced my bolts, never used Loctite, never had problems.

Suffice to say, I haven't ever unbolted the fronts, but my on very first try at brakes I wound up unbolting the calipers. After realizing I didn't have to go through that much effort, I bolted them back on (sans Loctite).

That was over three years ago...calipers still holding...

jsmith · #6 01-16-2003, 06:40 PM

G-benz,

Does the DIY section on brake pad replacement reflect what you wound up doing? I have my pads ready to go in and was pretty sure I wouldn't have to take off any bolts but I keep reading about bolt replacement.

G-Benz · #7 01-17-2003, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jsmith
G-benz,

Does the DIY section on brake pad replacement reflect what you wound up doing? I have my pads ready to go in and was pretty sure I wouldn't have to take off any bolts but I keep reading about bolt replacement.

Actually that is the "proper" (and easy) way to replace pads. I went at it blindly on my first try and ended up unbolting far more components than necessary to do the job. Got a manual later and discovered how easy the job really was

Unbolting isn't necessary unless you are replacing discs too. Mine are due on the next pad change...

jsmith · #8 01-17-2003, 11:11 AM

thanks for confirming that. i had a similar experience a few years back on a Passat where i went blindly taking the whole caliper off (90 ft-lb bolts) when there was a little allen head screw (15 ft-lb) that would have let me swing it out

ntvh · #9 03-01-2006, 10:11 PM

Need help, Where can I buy that Front Caliper brake bolt? Thanks

A264172 · #10 03-01-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntvh

Need help, Where can I buy that Front Caliper brake bolt? Thanks

Your MB dealer probably has it. But as others have said it is safe to reuse the old one. I have done it as well and had no problem. Given the choice I would replace it but I would not be worried if I didn't.

anthonyb · #11 03-02-2006, 12:00 AM

If you can get them, it might be a good idea to have them on hand in case the old ones get rounded trying to take them out, or if you find the threads are too gunked up to re-use. But I reuse mine, just put a drop of locktite on it and it holds up fine.

lee polowczuk · #12 03-02-2006, 08:45 AM

I had a caliper bolt wiggle its way loose on a Ford Expedition.... fortunately it happened at a near stopped speed...

i got a new bolt at the dealer ...it had the loctite already imbedded in it..

use the loctite.

i made the mistake once