How to loosen carrier bolts when changing front brakes?

The carrier bolts feel rusted onto the hub assembly. I've torqued on them quite hard and they do not budge. It's difficult since they're on the inner-side of the hub but I feel that if I torque any harder that the head of the bolt will break off.



How should I loosen it? I've tried hammering on them and spraying WD40 on them...How to loosen carrier bolts when changing front brakes?try applying some anti-seize lube on them, and then waiting a few hours. then torque awayHow to loosen carrier bolts when changing front brakes?WD 40 is not a lubricant, it's an de-greaser. Try penetrating lube. Spray this on and let is sit, spray some more, and let it sit. Then try to remove them. DO NOT use a torch, this can possibly ruin the piston seals. I've broken a few retaining bolts. There's different ways to take out the bolt that is still in. You can try to drill a hole and take an extractor to remove the bolt if you break the head.



Try this after letting the penetrating lube set. Take the tool you are using to remove the bolts, hit is with a steel hammer while trying to turn the bolt loose, sometimes the impact will loosen the bolt. If you get the bolts out and the heads are questionable, replace them, but make sure to take some anti-seize and put it on the threads of the bolts before you put them back in.



Last resort, is take a torch to them, but you will need to be careful. You will not want to hit the brake line, and you may destroy the piston seal. If this is your last option, you will need to buy loaded calipers. These will come with new brake pads. Install them, and you will need to have another person to help bleed the brake system. The whole brake system. Start from the farthest point, and work your way to the driver wheel. Make sure you buy extra brake fluid, and keep filling between opening each bleeder screw. When you see the air from the bleeder screw that is mounted on the caliper stop flowing air, and just fluid you can close the bleeder screw and start at the next bleeder screw.



Good Luck!