Front Brake Caliper Bolts Stripped...How long have I been driving like this?

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burp43

burp43

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Threads
22
Messages
109
Location
Florence, SC
I bought my 2013 LC200 used from a Toyota dealer 5 years ago. At that time, all four rotors and pads were replaced. Today, I replaced all four rotors and pads. When unbolting the front passenger caliper I though it was strange that the bolts didnt take much effort to loosen. Then when I put it back on, both 17mm bolts got semi-tight and then slipped. Bolts look good, so I'm assuming the caliper is stripped. Other side went fine. Now I'm wondering if I have been driving 5 years with a stripped and loose front caliper? I replaced the rears a couple of years ago, but the is the first time the fronts have been touched since the dealer replaced them. Oh, well, my options now are new front caliper (should have upgraded to big brakes), drill and tap to a larger bolt, or thread insert and original new bolts. Anyone had to do this before?
 
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I would go for new calipers. Consider upgrading to 2016+ sized calipers and rotors. I just would not trust a threadsert in this application
 
CanadianRockyCruiser said:
I would go for new calipers. Consider upgrading to 2016+ sized calipers and rotors. I just would not trust a threadsert in this application
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Yeah, I considered upgrading to 2016+ brakes, but decided against since I might upgrade to a 2016+ cruiser in the next year or so. I bought all 2013 rotors and pads that I can't return now, so I'll just stick to that. Calipers are not that expensive, but I wonder why the right (passenger) side costs more than the left? (Answer: Because that's the one I need!)
 
burp43 said:
Yeah, I considered upgrading to 2016+ brakes, but decided against since I might upgrade to a 2016+ cruiser in the next year or so. I bought all 2013 rotors and pads that I can't return now, so I'll just stick to that. Calipers are not that expensive, but I wonder why the right (passenger) side costs more than the left? (Answer: Because that's the one I need!)
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Welcome to "dynamic pricing."
I'm actually kidding; but, kinda not.
With AI's progress - it's the future
 
Yes, you drove with a stripped thread. It might not have been as bad as it is now cause each time you remove /put back a stripped thread it gets worse.
It is not a good idea to leave it like that, and not ethical if you sale the truck.
For a lot less you can fix the thread using an insert. It is a good and strong solution.
 
Thread insert requires drilling the hole to a larger size, and when you see the ear of the caliper that you'd be drilling, you are removing material from a limited amount of it.

It would most likely work just fine. But a new caliper would absolutely work, without question.

IMO brakes and suspension are not the place to be using thread repair systems.
 
Well, I decided if I was going to buy one caliper, I should go ahead and do both...and if i was going to buy two calipers, I should upgrade to 2016+ brakes.

So, all the parts needed for the upgrade have been ordered. Looking forward to improved braking. Anybody in SC needing two 08-15 Front Rotors, let me know.
 
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burp43 said:
Well, I decided if I was going to buy one caliper, I should go ahead and do both...and if i was going to buy two calipers, I should upgrade to 2016+ brakes.

So, all the parts needed for the upgrade have been ordered. Anybody in SC needing two 08-15 Front Rotors, let me know.
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You will be glad you did this upgrade. It really is significant.

Do you need a reamer to open up the holes in the knuckle? I can send you mine for a loaner.
 
burp43 said:
Well, I decided if I was going to buy one caliper, I should go ahead and do both...and if i was going to buy two calipers, I should upgrade to 2016+ brakes.

So, all the parts needed for the upgrade have been ordered. Looking forward to improved braking. Anybody in SC needing two 08-15 Front Rotors, let me know.
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Wish I was closer.
 
burp43 said:
Bolts look good, so I'm assuming the caliper is stripped. Other side went fine. Now I'm wondering if I have been driving 5 years with a stripped and loose front caliper?
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The “beauty” of the dealer doing the work…

P.S. I had them nearly strip my oil pan drain bolt & thread. No more dealer work for me.
 
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TTO5 said:
DO THE 17 INCH ROCK WARRIORS CLEAR THE 16 AND UP CALIPERS AND ROTORS?
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Yep.

More info, including detailed pics of the clearance you ask about:

bloc

Thread 'Big brakes for 08-15 using 16+ parts'

Anyone paying attention to this section recently will have noticed @TeCKis300 excellent thread on an easy big brake kit for 08-15 cruisers using Tundra parts. Deep in that thread info emerged that fitting the 16+ brakes was more easy than initially thought, and as that method has been developed I decided to document things and start a dedicated thread.

If you haven't seen that thread, here it is:

First, the why.

08-15 cruisers/LX570s had 340mm rotors with steel 4-piston calipers using a banjo fitting for the...
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I had the same thing happen, some idiot put the entire wrong bolt in one of the calipers, not even the same head size. I bought a set from the dealer and replaced both. Presumably was a dealer that did it originally.
 
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