I unhooked from a little single axle trailer last night after pulling it from VA to FL and back (it was not a heavy lead at all). Once I detached the trailer and then pulled forward a bit to leave out of the driveway, I didn't have any brakes! The pedal went to the floor and barely stopped the truck before the end of the driveway. I put it in reverse and the brake pressure pumped up, i could drive it in reverse and still have brakes but as long as I went forward I had no brakes and no pressure on the brake pedal. It was late so my buddy brought me home and we left my truck at his house.
This morning I went back over to where I left my truck and started investigating. I found that the driver side top caliper bolt head had broken off. The caliper had then pivoted on the bottom caliper bolt, and put a hole in the steel brake line. and brake fluid is now leaking.
Has anyone encountered a broken caliper bolt before? It is raining like crazy here at the moment so I have not started tearing it down yet. I am wondering if I am going to be able to get the remaining part of the bolt out very easily of if I am going to have to buy a new caliper. I am not top notch mechanic, but I am quite handy at being a DIYer. I am wondering if I will be able to use some left handed drill bits and possibly remove the broken part of the stud. Since the head is broken i would expect that the stud should not really be all that tight in the caliper housing. I assume these bolts are hardened and are going to be a pain to try and drill out.
I also need to replace the steel line that is attached to the caliper. Apparently you cant buy the steel brake line pre bent. Autozone and Advanced auto only sell them in certain lengths and you have to bend them yourself. This will be an interesting task for me. I don't understand why the brake line goes from a steel line to a hose back to a steel line.
BY the way I have a 2008 double cab limited 4X4.
Any input with the tasks at hand will be greatly appreciated.
This morning I went back over to where I left my truck and started investigating. I found that the driver side top caliper bolt head had broken off. The caliper had then pivoted on the bottom caliper bolt, and put a hole in the steel brake line. and brake fluid is now leaking.
Has anyone encountered a broken caliper bolt before? It is raining like crazy here at the moment so I have not started tearing it down yet. I am wondering if I am going to be able to get the remaining part of the bolt out very easily of if I am going to have to buy a new caliper. I am not top notch mechanic, but I am quite handy at being a DIYer. I am wondering if I will be able to use some left handed drill bits and possibly remove the broken part of the stud. Since the head is broken i would expect that the stud should not really be all that tight in the caliper housing. I assume these bolts are hardened and are going to be a pain to try and drill out.
I also need to replace the steel line that is attached to the caliper. Apparently you cant buy the steel brake line pre bent. Autozone and Advanced auto only sell them in certain lengths and you have to bend them yourself. This will be an interesting task for me. I don't understand why the brake line goes from a steel line to a hose back to a steel line.
BY the way I have a 2008 double cab limited 4X4.
Any input with the tasks at hand will be greatly appreciated.