# Fixing Disc Brakes-Repair or Replace? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 9, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-disc-brakes-repair-or-replace/637230 "2012-10-09T17:01:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-disc-brakes-repair-or-replace/637230/1 "2012-10-09T17:01:20Z")
I have an issue with a front brake caliper. When I checked, the sliding bolts (that anchor the caliper assembly) are frozen up-they do not move freely. Can the frozen bolts be removed and replaced? Or is it better to simply replace the whole caliper? If the bolts are corroded. how can you get them out? Drill them? I’m thinking that for the labor involved, it might be easier to just replace everything-am I correct? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-disc-brakes-repair-or-replace/637230/2 "2012-10-09T17:16:35Z")
Previously I have removed the caliper mount and clamped it in a vice. The caliper pins can then be freed up using WD40 (or equivalent), a pair of vice grips and brute force. (Twisting a little one way, and then the other, until the pin slides out.) The pins can be re-lubed and reused no problem. I used to own a Sable where at least one of the back brakes seized like this yearly. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-disc-brakes-repair-or-replace/637230/3 "2012-10-09T17:30:06Z")
To help you with more detailed and accurate info, I’ll need year, make, model, and engine size. If you’re talking about pin bolts that go into metal bores with no bushing, it can be a challenge. It’s not wise to use heat, and drilling would be tedious and difficult. Sometimes I can get them out by putting the caliper anchor in a vise, using liberal amounts of penetrating oil, and working the bolts back and forth with a long wrench handle. Once the bolts are out, they can be cleaned with an appropriate tool (I’ve used an abrasive disc in an air-powered die grinder), but often new ones are available from a parts store pretty cheaply. To clean the bores, I use a [ball hone](http://img.jpcycles.com/zoom/910-366_A.jpg). If the bolts won’t budge, or the right tools aren’t available, replacement is the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-disc-brakes-repair-or-replace/637230/4 "2012-10-09T17:39:58Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > To help you with more detailed and accurate info, I’ll need year, make, model, and engine size. > > If you’re talking about pin bolts that go into metal bores with no bushing, it can be a challenge. It’s not wise to use heat, and drilling would be tedious and difficult. Sometimes I can get them out by putting the caliper anchor in a vise, using liberal amounts of penetrating oil, and working the bolts back and forth with a long wrench handle. Once the bolts are out, they can be cleaned with an appropriate tool (I’ve used an abrasive disc in an air-powered die grinder), but often new ones are available from a parts store pretty cheaply. To clean the bores, I use a [ball hone](http://img.jpcycles.com/zoom/910-366_A.jpg). If the bolts won’t budge, or the right tools aren’t available, replacement is the way to go. Thanks-its a 2007 Saturn Aura, 3.6 liter engine. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-disc-brakes-repair-or-replace/637230/5 "2012-10-09T17:52:49Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Thanks-its a 2007 Saturn Aura, 3.6 liter engine. Okay, that let me get to a diagram of the specific design. It’s pretty much what I’d figured. I’d say check on price and availability of the caliper brackets, then work on the old ones as **Leaffan** and I described if you’d like to avoid buying new ones. If you can reuse the old brackets, I recommend [synthetic](http://www.tekmaterial.com/tekonline/img/p/30081-1656-large.jpg) [brake](http://www.eastwood.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/250x160/592f358eff208412ab3049a1b3023e91/p39162.jpg) [grease](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41prQb18SCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg) for reassembly. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-disc-brakes-repair-or-replace/637230/6 "2012-10-09T18:05:17Z")
I had a sticky caliper lubed and cleaned, and it worked fine after that, for a few years, then froze. I’d go with a new one, or used with low mileage. I suspect the pins and holes get some grit in them and then after enough abrasion the assembly is target for more contamination or corrosion. That’s my one and only experience with a caliper problem though.