Hi new to the site, I am no mechanic but have been learning how to work on this awesome truck over the past 2 years. (Breaks, fuel pump, TPS sensor, timing chain/sprocket, water-pump/hoses) things like that.

I took the front passenger caliper off my truck this afternoon to try and address some squeaking and when trying to put it back on the lower bolt would not thread into the caliper mount. I tried cleaning out the threads on the bolt and the mount with no success. The top bolt works fine so I tried swapping but same issue. It seems like the threads on the mounting bracket are stripped/damaged an causing my problem. One bad bolt caused by bad lower mounting threads.

This truck does not have a separate mounting bracket bolted on like most cars I have seen. The caliper mounts are built into a bigger "assembly" (lack of a better work) that is bolted into the front end. Any advice on how to take care of this problem? Do I need to take the whole front end apart? What is the name of the "assembly" that the caliper mounts to on these trucks.

Any will be much appreciated.Cheers.

 

I had the same issue on my '96 and was able to helicoil the knuckle (the bigger assembly with built in caliper mount). Basically you drill out the damaged threads and then use a tap to cut threads the next size up, then thread in a helicoil to reduce the thread size back down to original. Get a new bolt, and you're set. That was some 50k miles ago, no issues with the repair. It may not be totally advised, since we're talking brakes..

 

GoinBoarding - thank you very much for the response. Great idea, that sound much better than trying get the knuckle off for replacement. Would you by chance remember what Helicoil size you used. I will definitely be giving this a shot but I have never re-tapped anything before.

Cheers

 

The other possibility is to take the bolt to the parts store/ hardware store for sizing purposes and try to find a tap of the proper size and then "chase" the threads in the bolt hole. Of course this will not work if the threads are stripped, but should work if they are slightly damaged or bent so that you cannot start the bolt.

 

Thank you zombie. That is a good idea considering everything was fine until removing the bolt. Maybe a chase will do the trick.

 

That's a good idea, start there.

I don't recall the size heli coil I used. I think I just bought a small kit at the local hardware store, matching the original bolt size.

I do know that the thread was questionable for a couple caliper removals/installs before it just pulled out entirely.

 

Zombie and Boarding-- thank you very much for the advice. You guys saved me lots of hard work and time. I have been driving the tuck for a week and all seems ok.

I first tried chasing the threads which might have worked but unfortunately I tried chasing them using an electric drill. I didn't know about using a tap wrench (this was my first time chasing or tapping threads). I was able to thread the bolt in after using the chase but it was a little too loose. So I ended up using a Heli coil, drilled out the threads and used a tap wrench to re-tap and got a nice tight fit.

Cheers

 

Glad it worked out. I'd keep an eye on it for a little while just to be safe. For future reference, I always recommend YouTube when trying something new. A lot of people scoff at the idea but I've learned everything from computer coding languages & organic chemistry to rebuilding a transfer case, and a lot in between.