How to remove rusted 4 hub retainer bolts short of cutting off their heads?
Jul 18, 2015 at 5:56 AM
1999 Chevrolet Silverado Replacing front brake rotors
JJG_30
- MEMBER
- 11 POSTS
So I'm clear, I think you're referring to the bolts holding the wheel bearing assembly to the spindle, right? If six-point or inverted torx sockets have rounded off the heads, there are special sockets that are designed to grab and bite into the heads as you pound them on. You might find a set of those sockets at Sears, otherwise the guys who drive the tool trucks around to the repair shops each week will have them. You might have to ask a mechanic for their phone numbers or for when they show up at their shop.
Obviously you're going to be replacing those bolts, so if you CAN cut the heads off, go for it. Usually they're recessed and the only way to get to them is with a torch.
To save cost for their customers, mechanics look for the least expensive way to repair a problem, and in this case they would typically replace the spindle along with the bearing. That is if it was a noisy bearing they were after. That's a lot of extra parts to just replace a rotor though.
Obviously you're going to be replacing those bolts, so if you CAN cut the heads off, go for it. Usually they're recessed and the only way to get to them is with a torch.
To save cost for their customers, mechanics look for the least expensive way to repair a problem, and in this case they would typically replace the spindle along with the bearing. That is if it was a noisy bearing they were after. That's a lot of extra parts to just replace a rotor though.
Jul 18, 2015 at 9:00 AM
JJG_30
Thanks for your response. It might be easier to trade it in.
I took it to a shop after finding the difficulty in removing the bolts but after baiting me with an estimate of $250 to replace the my supplied rotors they also didn't want to proceed to remove the 4ea. hub bolts and simply replaced my supplied pads for $100. Then told me it would be in access of $2k to replace the rotors. It appears that they were afraid that the hubs were also rusted. Is that usually the case?
Thanks Again
Joe G
Thanks for your response. It might be easier to trade it in.
I took it to a shop after finding the difficulty in removing the bolts but after baiting me with an estimate of $250 to replace the my supplied rotors they also didn't want to proceed to remove the 4ea. hub bolts and simply replaced my supplied pads for $100. Then told me it would be in access of $2k to replace the rotors. It appears that they were afraid that the hubs were also rusted. Is that usually the case?
Thanks Again
Joe G
Jul 20, 2015 at 2:33 AM