Replacing brake disks

[shchuka]

Hello fellow vectra-c-ers,

I need to change the brakes on my 53 reg Vectra C. Got all parts ready. Yesterday started the work: took the wheel off, easily undid the caliper and got the pads off. Now I needed to undo the two torx bolts to release the disk - but that's where I got stuck. I know these are usually done up very tights and have threadlocks on them. As I didn't have E20, I tried different sockets (1/2", 12mm and 13 mm) to no avail. The corners on the bolt started rounding up - don't want to mess it up completely. I tried WD40 on them, but even that didn't help.

I ended up putting everything back together, as needed the car this morning. I ordered the E20 socket - should arrive tomorrow hopefully.

In the mean time, any other ideas how to undo these bolts?

Many thanks in advance!

[john norris]

wait for the correct socket unless you intend to replace the bolts

bit of heat normally helps

[Das]

A long breaker bar will help you exert more torque on them when initially breaking the seal on them too.

[bobssignum]

I have an E20 socket here if you want, i am in Knaphill best bet is to use a breaker bar to crack off the bolts as there usually done up with locktite

[shchuka]

A long breaker bar will help you exert more torque on them when initially breaking the seal on them too.

Yeah, thanks, that would be the obvious thing to do. Unfortunately, there's not much room for a very long bar around there. I don't have a facility to raise the car, so have to do withe jacking it up. I am already using a pipe extension on the handle. Hopefully it will be better with the right socket.

I am also thinking about loctite freeze and release spray or plusgas spray. Anyone tried it?

[Rebellion]

Make sure the E20 socket fits a 1/2" spanner/ratchet, not 3/8", or the bit that fits inside the head of the E20 will snap under the force.

[shchuka]

Make sure the E20 socket fits a 1/2" spanner/ratchet, not 3/8", or the bit that fits inside the head of the E20 will snap under the force.

Yes, that's the one I got: 1/2" driver.

[shchuka]

I have an E20 socket here if you want, i am in Knaphill best bet is to use a breaker bar to crack off the bolts as there usually done up with locktite

Thanks a lot. I already ordered one and won't have time to do the job before it arrives, anyway.

[v6vc]

It's a horrible job to do but a breaker bar as people have said. I tend to use the breaker bar to get it started as you really cannot turn the bolt too much due to the floor being in the way. Once it's moving, then on to a torque wrench.

[4ndy]

If you were nearer you could have come here. I got mine nice and high (in a rather unconventional way) when doing mine which gave me plenty of leverage!