Calipers getting loose

Dirtclod · Jul 20, 2017

This has happened several times. After someone works on my truck or even me the calipers will loosen. I use thread lock and torque down to spec. What is doing this?

rosspulliam · Jul 20, 2017

The caliper bracket to spindle bolts or the caliper to caliper bracket bolts?

I've had my calipers and brackets off numerous times and never seen this happen. The slide pins need to have the correct orientation in order to seat in the pocket of the caliper correctly to provide the proper clamping force. Perhaps you're not paying attention to slide pin orientation?

Dirtclod · Jul 21, 2017

Caliper bracket to spindle bolts. This pat time the bolt was gone out of the top and loose on the bottom.

Dirtclod · Jul 21, 2017

I know what you're talking about the slide pins and certainly it's possible. But anyone else who's done work on it has done same thing. I was pulling my travel trailers couple years ago from Indiana back to NC. Before I left out I had new seals in axles installed by a reputable mechanic. He knows what he's doing. As I was fixn to start down the WV turnpike I thought I'd check it out up front cause some just didn't seem right. Sure enough the bolts were backing off. Thank god I checked, 12klbs + coming through those grades would've been disaster.

Arisley · Jul 21, 2017

I would replace the brackets.

Dirtclod · Jul 21, 2017

I have

morefuel · Jul 21, 2017

I heard once that if you pulled them they needed to be replaced. I've always used locktite and they've been fine though.

Dirtclod · Jul 21, 2017

Hopefully when I can do my axle swap and 08 rear axle that will go away

Dirtclod · Jul 21, 2017

I've never heard that before. But locktight I have

Dirtclod · Jul 21, 2017

Anyways thanks for the advice. Since I put new tires rotors and pads and replaced the front calipers it drives and rides like a new one. Rough as hell! Lol! Na it actually pretty darn good considering it's a big ass tough as hell truck. Love my 7three

morefuel · Jul 21, 2017

morefuel said:
I heard once that if you pulled them they needed to be replaced. I've always used locktite and they've been fine though.

I should clarify. It was the bolts that supposedly need replacing.

rosspulliam · Jul 21, 2017

I've never heard of having to replace brackets or bolts on the front. You have to pull the bracket in order to change the rotor.

I think the torque on them is pretty high. Like 140 lb-ft on the front and 120 on the rear? Something like that, I'd have to look it up. I've never used loctite on the bracket to spindle bolts. I lean towards the bolts being stretched as the problem over the bracket being the problem. I'd wager some dumbass put an impact on it and slammed them home instead of properly torquing them.

I vote new bolts, even if you do pull them and give them a little loctite.