Brake Caliper Torque -- Making a Short Short Socket
 

The Bentley shop manual advises brake caliper torque specifications of 43 ft lbs rear, 52 ft lbs front. My Snap-On torque wrench has a pretty diminutive head, but with a standard socket won't fit on the lower mount bolts on the rear brake calipers.

To resolve this, I spent $4.00 on a new socket and ground it down 9mm. Just thought I'd post some photos for future reference.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1558193748.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1558193748.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1558193748.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1558193748.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1558193748.JPG

Don't they have an access hole through the banana arm?

Yel, I don't recall that. I'll take a look and see!

what car is this?

NO

I freed up some wiggle room by grinding a shallow pocket in the aluminum arm.
Also, you can develop a feel for what 43 ft lbs feels like and use a long 19mm offset box wrench.
Bill K

Yel, my car is a 1979 SC Targa. I didn't think there was an access hole, but I checked; and, no.

Bk's right, an offset box wrench works. That's what I've used in the past. But it was no big deal to grind a socket, so -- why not?

I did the same socket modification with a disk sander and it has come in handy many times. I also use a ratchet that has a lower profile head and long handle.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1558280983.jpg

My mistake. I just did this on a 964 and it has an access hole for a long allen socket (They use allen bolts on 964 and later models). But, for this case you can use a box end wrench and guess at the torque value. I admire your tenacity in grinding a socket to fit. That works.

Thanks Yel! I think we should admire Cory's tenacity. Must have taken some time and skill to grind a socket with a disk sander! Well done, Cory!

Not really. It was one of the big stationary bench mounted sanders, so it was quick and easy. :D

Snappy sells short sockets for those who just want to toss dollar bills at it and not grind.