Rear caliper bolts. One use?

[JMI1974]

I have been looking up the procedure for changing the rear rotors and brake pads. The video is saying that the caliper bolts and the caliper bracket bolts are single use and need to be replaced during the job. If I go online I can only find the caliper bracket bolts and caliper pins for the SS calipers. I have an LT so different calipers. No pins but bolts. Can I reuse the old caliper bolts and caliper bracket bolts?

[gtstorey]

This is a continuous debate. I reuse them with new loc-tite applied.

No one really knows if these are torque to yield (don't reuse) or torque to angle (reuse).

[SummitWhite11]

I have been reusing my caliper bolts front/rear on all of my vehicles whenever I do the brakes. I do not even add loctite either. Although I do use SIL-GLYDE brake lubricant on the caliper pins. No issues in my almost 30 years of driving going by this method.

[hesster]

This is a great topic, and there is endless debate on it.
Calier Bolts "supposed" to be single use, and are a Torque and Angle type of bolt, as are most of the Camaro Suspension Bolts.

Official Web Lingo:

"Why Replace Them?
Torque-to-Yield Bolts: Some 5th gen Camaro rear caliper bolts are torque-to-yield, meaning they're designed to stretch and deform slightly when tightened to a specific torque, and are not meant to be reused.
Damage or Corrosion: If the bolts are rusted, stretched, or otherwise damaged, they may not be able to hold the caliper securely, potentially leading to safety issues.
Brake Work: If you're replacing brake pads, rotors, or calipers, it's often recommended to replace the bolts at the same time to ensure a proper and secure reassembly. "

Given that, I imagine any Automotive Shop or even Dealers DO NOT replace them as part of service. And- has there been any post of failing Camaro Suspension Fasteners, esp Caliper Bolts, on this forum in all the years it has been in existence?

So for me I buy new and replace in a fresh build with any new Suspension Mods, or just inspect and use Locktite on any Fastener that is unbolted as part of any service. I know they will stretch, as I have measured them in analysis.

[FASTFATBOY]

Reuse, tq to spec or just tight

[fz4k98]

I have done both on my car (replace or reuse with loctite) and am comfortable with the reuse option on my brakes. If you want to see the difference, on one of your calipers, install one new bolt and one reused bolt while using the torque plus angle spec.

I have done this and the difference is definitely noticeable. I could not achieve the angle on the reused bolt but could on the new.

I marked the two bolts and watch them for any movement and neither has moved in over two years.

[hesster]

Originally Posted by fz4k98

I have done both on my car (replace or reuse with loctite) and am comfortable with the reuse option on my brakes. If you want to see the difference, on one of your calipers, install one new bolt and one reused bolt while using the torque plus angle spec.

I have done this and the difference is definitely noticeable. I could not achieve the angle on the reused bolt but could on the new.

I marked the two bolts and watch them for any movement and neither has moved in over two years.

Good points.
I did not have an issue achieving the angle on a reinstalled fastener, but imagine it yeilds a lower clamping force versus new. Just how much is probably insignificant with the use of locktite as insurance.
I have a T/A tool, but it is a PIA, and just easier to apply the initial torque, and (2) dots 90 degrees apart, then torque to align the dots with a tad more for a reused fastener.
I always "Torque Striped" every fastener with a white marker pen. That provides a sense check that it was in fact torqued, and an assessment afterwards if it ever moves (backs off).

In the GM Prototype Build Shop, Torque Striping was a Mandatory process and documented in a database.

[CamaroCracka]

Screaming Chicken sells grade 8 replacements, which if you work on the brakes a lot, e.g. track the car, the $50 is worth it. I went to them on the turbo car when the factory bolts did not want to come out easily anymore, probably because I had reused them 3-4 times.

[J35Y2]

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

Screaming Chicken sells grade 8 replacements, which if you work on the brakes a lot, e.g. track the car, the $50 is worth it. I went to them on the turbo car when the factory bolts did not want to come out easily anymore, probably because I had reused them 3-4 times.

Grade 8? That's the SAE (American) equivalent of metric Class 10.9, right? I remember being young and running CLASS 8.8 bolts on my lower control arms, and noticing that they absolutely felt like they didn't tightened properly, and they also felt like the threads stretched (they absolutely did LOL).

[CamaroCracka]

Originally Posted by J35Y2

Grade 8? That's the SAE (American) equivalent of metric Class 10.9, right? I remember being young and running CLASS 8.8 bolts on my lower control arms, and noticing that they absolutely felt like they didn't tightened properly, and they also felt like the threads stretched (they absolutely did LOL).

Sorry, they are 10.9. I still refer to that stuff as grade 5 and 8.

[2012B]

I just bought the bolts from screaming chicken. I'm keeping the car for life and it's a small price to pay for peace of mind