I tried

attemped rotor and break pad replacement. First time doing it and felt confident from watching videos. Driver side went well had to run out to Toyota because lug stud was stripped got lucky a local dealer had one stud and lug in stock. Went to do passenger side and broke caliper bolt in half. Most of you guys probably wouldn't have thrown in the towel but I did. Didn't feel I would be able to get other half of bolt out without damaging something else. Took it down to local mechanic and told him to get it out and loosen other caliper bolt and I'd finish job. He said just give me the parts and he would finish. I wanted to do the job to save a couple bucks along with feeling of accomplishment but he said he wouldn't charge me so I figured what the hell. Will see when bill comes in . Feel defeated.

 

Time for one of these.... keep your chin up.

 

Broken bolts are a pain. At least you gave it a shot.
I used to do all my own maintenance that I was able to do to save a few bucks. Now I realize that my time is more important than my money.

 

Well at least you could still drive it as long as the bolt was broken but still stuck in the caliper.

 

That's really tough man, and very discouraging. Shit like that happens when you're working on older trucks, and just look at it as a learning process. Did you use any penetrate like PB blaster? That may have kept you from breaking the bolt in two. Just try and hold your head high and move on to the next task. At least you attempted it, which is more than most people can say.

 

Did rust play an issue with the broken bolt? Did you use an impact wrench? How about penetrating oil before you tried to loosen it?

 

Shit happens man, just keep wrenching.

 

Broken bolts are just part of the experience of doing your own work. Happens to the best of us.

FYI (in case you didn't know already), when trying to loosen stubborn bolts, pull towards you rather than pushing on the wrench. Punching a metal part when one snaps or gives way can ruin your day. Don't ask me how I know this.

 

Gotta ask, did you use one of these:

 

I wear that patch.

OP, it's all part of DIY maintenance. It happens (and happens to the pro mechanics in the shop, too). Don't be put off by this little setback.

 

Ha I know all about this...had to have the local shop do my front shocks after I failed with the hex nut.

 

I would definitely call that a "break" job..

Haha just kidding man, glad you got it sorted out. I pray every time I work on my truck that I don't break something, but I usually do.

 

No impact wrench just socket wrench. Used kroil penetrant. Driver side caliper bolts were a bitch so I had to use breaker bar but they did eventually loosen. I don't now I enjoy doing these little jobs they make me feel more confident when I accomplish them even if there just basic maintenance. The other day I had done my plugs and it felt good when done. I'll keep trying but I'll be more nervous on next job whatever that might be. My mechanic told me I did nothing wrong and that it happens all the time with them. Thanks guys for all the encouragement.

 

Some easy ones are: power steering flush, rear shocks (if hex nut doesn't f u), tranmission drain and refill, radiator drain and fill if you are looking for some more maintenance tasks.

 

What's the old saying? "If you haven't broke a few things you don't work on much stuff"......or something like that.

A couple of weeks ago I replaced the LCAs on my FIL's Sienna. Accidently disocated the driver's side inner CV joint. FUBAR'd it. Thank you AutoZone for stocking complete axles.

 

Holly shit.... you used aerokroil and still had issues loosening a bolt! That bolt wanted to break! Kroil makes pb blaster look like childs play.

OP we have all been there where a simple project turns into an adventure.

I had a similar thing with an ex's car. Here rear calipers were all sorts of fucked and sized on the pins. Im like no problem, pull the rotors and calipers, resurface the rotors, throw new pads in and grease up the calipers. Too bad the lil honda had rotors that were screwed onto the hub with some smaller philips screws (for easier production). But after 12 years and 140k miles of use.... those screws were NOT moving even with an impact driver.... so the angle grinder came out and new rotors were purchased haha.

 

i also stopped on that job. it was raining, i was on my driveway. i laid into that first bolt and it didnt budge. i was about to get medieval..but my spidey senses went off..i took it in to a friends shop. something about having the truck up on a rack makes every one of those fasteners easier to break loose.

 

Using a little heat in safe areas is always a good option. A propane torch can help free a stubborn bolt.
A slight expansion from heat on a bolt can get you going again. Just use it in safe areas.