Question
Caliper
QUESTION: Ho Roland,
I'm trying to replace the pads and rotors on my 2007 Nitro and got stuck after taking the wheel off. Based on the videos I've watched, I'm trying to remove the bolts (red arrows) in the attached picture to take the caliper off the bridge but when I turn them, all they seem to do is spin (the nut/bolt on the inside (green arrows) just turns with the bolt on the outside. I tried hold the inside bolt still with a wrench, but my wrenches are not thin enough to get in there.
I'm clearly not doing this right. How do I get these things off? Is there any thing special I need to know when putting eveything back together?
Thanks!
Chris
ANSWER: Hi Chris,
I can'e see exactly what kind of bolt head (green) is used in the Nitro, but it appears to be a hex hole (six-sided hole) which you grab onto with a hex wrench or a socket that has a hex-shaped rod of the proper diameter for the hole in the bolt head. Usually these are 6 mm hex or 8 mm hex, though I have seen 7 mm hex-size. You won't get a grip on that type of bolt head with a conventional wrench or vice-grip so try to get a 6 mm hex 'socket' or simple hex 'wrench' (an L-shaped rod with 6 sides).
Once you have the bolts opened up then remove the caliper from the caliper bracket and use a coat hanger wire or heavy string to hang the caliper on the coil spring above so that the caliper is not hanging via the brake hose which would possibly damage the hose.
Then replace the pads and finally the rotors.
If you haven't done this job before it would be good to have a service manual that mentions the details, but there appears to be nothing unusual about this job on the Nitro.
Please 'rate' my answer (see below).
Thanks,
Roland
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QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response Roland.
The "green" bolt doesn't have a hex hole. It appears to be a normal bolt head and a 1/2 socket fits it snug. When I turn it, it just spins and does not seem to be threading its way out. The hex shaped "nut" pointed out by the green arrow (on the inside of the caliper housing) spins when along with the bolt when I turn it. I thought maybe I needed to hold that nut in place while turning the ratchet, but a normal wrench is too thick to fit in there.
I found the caliper online and one of the pics (the center one) shows all the parts it comes with. Maybe that will help show you what I'm dealing with. Here's the link:
http://www.theautopartsshop.com/auto+car-usa+parts/dodge+nitro+disc-brake-calipe
What do you think?
Thanks again for your help. I'll be sure to post an all 10 rating.
Chris
ANSWER: Hi Chris,
That being the case, my recommendation would be to go to a Nitro dealership parts counter and ask them what tool you can use to hold that nut. My thought is that there are open-end wrenches available which are very thin so that may be all you need to buy at a good tool shop. Sorry to report I have not faced that sort of situation with a caliper prior to what you are showing me but I am sure you can get a thin wrench that will get into the space like that. I have such a set made in Japan many years ago.
Thanks for the rating and nomination in advance.
Roland
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Chip
QUESTION: Just one quick follow up then I am done. I noticed a very small chip in the rotor (see pic). Does this matter...or should I return it?
AnswerHi Chris,
Usually one is concerned about uneveness across the width of rotor and full circle, or warpage. I doubt the chip would be noticeable in the operation of it. If returning it is easy you could opt to do so, but if it involves shipping it, etc, then I would not.
Roland
