Problem with bolt holding brake carrier on

[Zedebee]

If your car is in for a service, just ask the mechanic to loosen the bolts you want loosened and torque them up again. That way they break all the corrosion and you should then be able to undo them all yourself with the same amount of torque. Oh, and if you have started to round off a bolt, they can replace that too.

 

[Zedebee]

I just put a socket on mine, definitely 16mm.

 

[chanlon1]

It would appear I don't own a 16mm socket, so it was definitely a 17mm I was using.
I'll look at ordering one and checking with the service dept on Tuesday if they can loosen and retorque all the carrier bolts to make my life easy.

 

[Zedebee]

If you are ordering a 16mm, take a look in your tool kit and see if you have an 18mm. You’ll need that for any suspension work. My socket set (which predates my Z4 by many years) only had odd numbers, so I had to buy both.

 

[pvr]

Advantage of being a European - I have all the “normal” sizes in my toolbox

 

[chanlon1]

I’ve ordered Halfords Advanced 10 Piece 3/8” Drive Impact Socket Rail Set
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-10-piece-3%2F8”-drive-impact-socket-rail-set-627982.html
10-19mm sockets.

 

[smorris_12]

What length ratchet/breaker bar have you been using?

 

[chanlon1]

What length ratchet/breaker bar have you been using?

Longest I have is about 18". There's not much space to play with.....

 

[smorris_12]

I was just wondering if you were trying to use something shorter in light of getting 3/8 sockets. My 3/8 breaker bar is only about 12" and I'd struggle with carrier bolts.

I know what you mean about access to get a swing. My first 1/2" 18" breaker bar was a complete pain as the handle was at best 90deg to the socket. I then bought a 24" one which is miles easier to get into places as the handle can get to about 120deg off the centre line which means, for caliper carriers, it's poking out of the wheel arch.