Bolt therapy

[woodgeek]

Do you ever run a die over the bolts you remove from your calipers? It’s a good idea to. I’m not sure when my calipers were last removed but the bolts squeaked when I removed the bolts and there was some corrosion and I imagine aluminum stuck in the threads. If you try to force that bolt back in the hole, even if you use anti-seize, you risk deforming the threads, removing more aluminum from the softer caliper and carrier or, worst case, you can strip the threads.

I was reattaching the radiator hose fitting that houses the coolant temperature sensor and even with anti-seize one bolt threading back into the head didn’t feel right—too much resistance. I checked the bolt threads and they were clean. So I gently ran the correct tap into the head and then blew out the hole with compressed air. The bolt felt much better going in. I didn’t snug the bolt up too tight as that fitting has an o-ring and I don’t want to risk stripping anything.

I’m not perfect though. I was putting the rear brake caliper back and cross threaded one of the bolts. Still have to helicoil that hole.

[lmiklosy]

See the Chris Harris video (any) on copper antiseize and you will never need your dies again.  :eek:

[woodgeek]

I’ll give it a look. Thanks![emoji106]

[Filmcamera]

I routinely run a tap and die on the bolt and hole when I have taken something off the bike before I put it back on, I use copper anti-seize as well. A bit OTT maybe but there is something very satisfying about spinning a bolt all the way snug with little or no effort.  :clap:

[Laitch]

I didn’t snug the bolt up too tight as that fitting has an o-ring and I don’t want to risk stripping anything.

How does a self-proclaimed newbie determine what is "too tight" or too loose? Both the O-rings and the fitting have been designed to handle the proper torque applied to the fastener.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Harbor Freight often has their torque wrenches on sale for $12.  They are better than the price implies and infinitely better than guessing at how tight something is.

[woodgeek]

How does a self-proclaimed newbie determine what is "too tight" or too loose? Both the O-rings and the fitting have been designed to handle the proper torque applied to the fastener.

Only a self professed newbie with oetiker clamps. I’ve been working on motorcycles and cars for more than thirty years.

The torque values in the manual are for components that are in good repair. This is a little fastener and not knowing the exact state of the aluminum threads, I was hesitant to apply too much torque.

I do need to get a 1/4” torque wrench for small fasteners. [emoji4][emoji106]

[woodgeek]

See the Chris Harris video (any) on copper antiseize and you will never need your dies again.  :eek:

When I split the calipers, the only thing on the bolt threads was (orange) iron oxide and (white) aluminum oxide. I used permatex copper antiseize when I reassembled my calipers. [emoji106]