mtrueman

Im in the middle of changing my discs and pads. Got the calipers up and out of the way fine, but im having trouble getting the "caliper retainer" (if that it what it's called) off. Looks like it is held on by 2x17mm bolts behind the disc, but i cant get the flipping things to budge one inch. Im pretty sure i need to remove it to get the disc off.

Any help much appreciated.

Chris Type R

Go to Halfords and buy an impact driver -

mtrueman

managed to get the retaining screws out easily with an impact driver. Ive got a 1 ft wrench with a 17mm socket on and i still cant shift those bloody screws behind the disc. Don't have much more leverage room. Been bashing it with a hammer too.

They arent reverse thread screws or something stupid i hope?

Now i know what the dealer meant when he said your discs are pretty badly corroded, they look in a right state.

Chris Type R

Have you soaked them in WD40 ? Makes a very slight difference. IIRC on the driver side you should be wacking clock-wise.

EDIT: Perhaps try putting the wheel back on, drop the car, turn the steering, jack up, and you should have more space to use a breaker bar.

Dembo

Big breaker bar. Is it the fronts? If so you can turn the steering to give yourself more room to manouvre.

And are you absolutely sure you're turning them the right way? It's easy to get confused when you're on the opposite side.

Yes you do need to remove the bracket (or retainer as you called it) to remove the disks.

mtrueman

They are soaking in wd40 at the moment. I'll give the wheels a turn and hopefully that will give me some more leverage room. Dont fancy my chances with the rears though!!!

Chris Type R

Rears might be less corroded - less exposed to road salt etc.

Also, if you turn the wheel you may be able to use the impact driver with the socket attached. Mine (from Halfords) can accommodate sockets.

mtrueman

as for turning the right way, i hope so!! Im doing the passenger side front. Disk in front of me, screws to the right side of the disk. Big wrench to the right hand side, pushing downwards to unscrew.

Chris Type R

Sounds right to me.

mtrueman

good news... the extra leverage i got from turning the wheel gave me enough tourque to get them out easily. Now i just cant get the bloody disk off. its not budging either.

And i thought this was going to be a 1 hour job!!!