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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Meuryn on April 03, 2014, 01:54:20 PM

Title: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: Meuryn on April 03, 2014, 01:54:20 PM
Trying to remove my rear caliper, managed to remove all of the bolts apart from the one that connect the caliper to the torque arm. There's what looks like a nut on one side, and a bolt coming through from the other side.

I'm guessing I should be trying to turn the bolt rather than the nut? Either way the whole thing is screwed on really tight. Any tips / potential approach for getting it free?

Cheers!
Meuryn
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: adidasguy on April 03, 2014, 02:07:01 PM
Did you remove the cotter pin from the castle nut?

And you can remove either end of the torque arm if you're wanting to remove the brake caliper. The bolts on each end usually have castle nuts with cotter pins.
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: joweaver88 on April 03, 2014, 02:09:52 PM
Quote from: Meuryn on April 03, 2014, 01:54:20 PM
Trying to remove my rear caliper, managed to remove all of the bolts apart from the one that connect the caliper to the torque arm. There's what looks like a nut on one side, and a bolt coming through from the other side.

I'm guessing I should be trying to turn the bolt rather than the nut? Either way the whole thing is screwed on really tight. Any tips / potential approach for getting it free?

Cheers!
Meuryn

hehe I broke some socket wrenches trying to remove these same bolts from mine the other day, then I realized I didn't need to remove them... sigh, you live you learn.
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: Meuryn on April 03, 2014, 02:11:52 PM
Quote from: joweaver88 on April 03, 2014, 02:09:52 PM
Quote from: Meuryn on April 03, 2014, 01:54:20 PM
Trying to remove my rear caliper, managed to remove all of the bolts apart from the one that connect the caliper to the torque arm. There's what looks like a nut on one side, and a bolt coming through from the other side.

I'm guessing I should be trying to turn the bolt rather than the nut? Either way the whole thing is screwed on really tight. Any tips / potential approach for getting it free?

Cheers!
Meuryn

hehe I broke some socket wrenches trying to remove these same bolts from mine the other day, then I realized I didn't need to remove them... sigh, you live you learn.

Wait... you don't have to remove them to remove the caliper?!
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: Meuryn on April 03, 2014, 02:13:42 PM
Quote from: adidasguy on April 03, 2014, 02:07:01 PM
Did you remove the cotter pin from the castle nut?

And you can remove either end of the torque arm if you're wanting to remove the brake caliper. The bolts on each end usually have castle nuts with cotter pins.

I may well be wrong, but I don't think the UK models have cotter pins anywhere? On the rear axle nut, for example, there's no cotter pin. Good point on being able to remove the torque arm from both ends though, I'll try the other end tomorrow :)
Cheers!
Meuryn
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: gsJack on April 03, 2014, 02:56:33 PM
My 02 doesn't have cotter pins:

(http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/SUZUKI/2001/Motorcycles/2102_50.gif)

And my 97 didn't either:

(http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/SUZUKI/1997/Motorcycles/2104_48.gif)

I always remove the calipers when changing tires or brake pads, front or rear and have done it many times in 180k GS miles.  If you can't get them loose get better wrenches and a BFH!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: Meuryn on April 03, 2014, 03:28:28 PM
Quote from: gsJack on April 03, 2014, 02:56:33 PM
My 02 doesn't have cotter pins:

(http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/SUZUKI/2001/Motorcycles/2102_50.gif)

And my 97 didn't either:

(http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/SUZUKI/1997/Motorcycles/2104_48.gif)

I always remove the calipers when changing tires or brake pads, front or rear and have done it many times in 180k GS miles.  If you can't get them loose get better wrenches and a BFH!  :thumb:

Yeeaah, I've scabbed a longer wrench to use tomorow, so I'm hoping that'll give me enough leverage... If not, it'll be onto the blowtorch  :cry:
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: robfriedenberger on April 03, 2014, 04:11:35 PM
Oil over night, heat and use an impact. You can usually pick a good electric impact for less than  $150


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Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: Meuryn on April 04, 2014, 06:04:53 AM
Managed to break it free with a longer wrench  :D Actually ended up having more trouble with one of the bolts holding the two sides of the caliper together. Had to blowtorch it, oil it, freeze it and brute force it before it worked loose. Bolt had a hideous amount of salt / corrosion, it was literally pouring out of the thread as I pulled it through!

Thanks for the help everyone!
Meuryn.
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: robfriedenberger on April 05, 2014, 04:23:11 AM
If I learned one thing from working on vehicles in the rust belt when a breaking bar doesn't work your only asking for trouble.
Pick up an impact wrench its worth every penny.
Title: Re: Torque Arm / Caliper Bolt Removal?
Post by: RossLH on April 05, 2014, 01:12:36 PM
PB Blaster and a blue wrench fix all seized bolt woes.