I've reused mine several times now and don't use locktite, just tighten them good.

 

Yes, re-use.

 

I can't/won't advise others what to do in this situation, but yes, I've re-used mine after a few times of being removed. Clean them up, couple drops of blue Loctite, and torque to original spec.....I've never had a problem.

 

Good info here

http://www.g8board.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31219

 

A bit on common sense. TTY bolts stretch and deform to clamp/hold , ie head bolts. Loctite is used when you tighten the fastener but don't want it to vibrate loose. Caliper slide bolts are loctited, and I have always reused them. I would replace them if the slide is rusted and replace the seals too. Exhaust manifold bolts are loctited. No one claims they are TTY.

 

Just reuse them

 

I just need to clarify this Torque to Yield issue with the brake calipers. To replace the pads, and not remove the disc, just loosen the top caliper bolt, and remove the lower bolt. You then swing the caliper up and remove the old pads, push the piston in a bit and fit the new thicker pads to the caliper, then swing the caliper back down and fit the lower bolt. There is a big difference between talking about the smaller caliper slide bolts and the caliper to knuckle bolts. GM say to replace any bolt that was been loctited, however the small caliper bolts can be cleaned up and reused with a new drop of blue loctite without dramas. But the larger caliper to knuckle bolts MUST never be reused as they are torque to yield.

TTY bolts are fastened to a higher torque than non TTY bolts. All bolts stretch when torqued. Bolts have their limits though and have an elastic range for "normal" bolts. TTY bolts are tightened to a higher value such that the bolts are either in, or close to, their plastic range and hence do not return to their original length. If then reused, TTY bolts can simply snap when re tightened or worse still, snap when under load on the road.

TTY bolts have a necked down shank, the bit between the head and the threads. Non TTY have the shank the same OD as the threads.

This all means that the brake caliper bracket, the bit that bolts to the knuckle on the front and the rear, should have new bolts when you replace the disc rotors. If only replacing pads, the small bolts holding the sliding caliper to the bracket, can be cleaned with a wire brush, add a drop of loctite, and reuse.

If your garage says to reuse the bolts holding the bracket to the knuckle, go elsewhere as they are ignorant and probably old school guys who don't understand this torque to yield issue. At about $8 per bolt, don't risk it.

 

So you are worried about supposed TTY but ignore the fact about just slapping pads and not addressing rotors? I wont just replace pads. Either the rotors get machined or replaced.

But to address the topic. I have done 200+ brake jobs easy. The shop has done 3000+ just since I've been there. Caliper to knuckle bolts NEVER get replaced unless they are stripped/rounded off. I'll go even further to say that our parts dept. doesn't even stock the bolts for any application. I run the bolt in with my MG725 1/2" impact wrench by feel. To use a torque wrench would be 75-100 ft-lbs(on car [trucks can be over 200lbs]). Never have I had an issue by reusing such bolts.

Sometime you need to get your head out of the service manual and actually get some real world experience.

 

Good info here. Mr. aussiek2000 has contributed other informative posts before. It's good to know these bolts can be re-used. Myself, I would probably obtain new bolts which I think most of us can afford.

 

Wow we are asking questions in here, no need to be an A**! Damn not all of us are mechanics on these forums! That is what these places are about, spreading the wealth of information regarding issues & progress on our G8'z. Get some real world experience in being a nice person!

 

I am only and ass when people start spouting off specs with no experience to someone who has worked on thousands of cars. I am one of the most helpful people in the G8 community. I answer dozens of texts daily.

 

FWIW, I've always reused those bolts. Most of the time, never had a problem.

But, once, I did brakes on my 2000 Trans Am. Thought I had tightened the bolt holding the caliper to the spindle. Went on a road trip to Austin for an autox. Less than 1 hour into an 8 hour trip, the lower bolt came loose and I lost it on the interstate. This meant that, while driving, the caliper hung loosely and didn't cause problems. If I hit the brakes, the friction would throw the caliper out and it would grind on the wheel.

Being late at night, no one had the bolt in stock (only placed open were Wal-Mart and similar). So, I drove all the way to Austin using nothing but my handbrake to slow down. And, this was with a 500lb tire/tool trailer behind the car.

Replaced it with 10.9 bolts from Fastenal.

 

Personal preference

The simple answer is no, they dont need to be replaced
.do it or dont. your choice!

i reused mine with out lock-tite front and rears, no problems.

i'd say as long as they are in good shape dont worry about it, if the threads are messed up, go ahead and replace.

If you are concerned go ahead and replace, cant do any harm.

 

The simple answer is no, they dont need to be replaced
.do it or dont. your choice!

i reused mine with out lock-tite front and rears, no problems.

i'd say as long as they are in good shape dont worry about it, if the threads are messed up, go ahead and replace.

If you are concerned go ahead and replace, cant do any harm.

+1. Replace them if you want, no NEED to if you can't afford or find them though.


I've had 20-30 calipers off this week alone and reused the bolts on all of them. Cars from 5k miles to 150k.

 

And, if you replace, replace them with 10.9 grade bolts of the same thread and length. I never replace TTY bolts with other TTY bolts. High-grade bolts with locktite is the only way to roll!!