Wilwood Brake : Need Advise Please

[Izzy]

Hello,
We were bolting the rotor and hat together today and had a bit of a disaster...snapped the head off one of the bolts, even though we were using a torque wrench set to 155 inch pounds. There is no chance of getting it out, and I'm afraid this means buying new parts, but I thought I would check with collective wisdom on this forum and ask if it makes any sense to bring this to a local machine shop to try to drill out and tap new threads... any way to salvage this?
Thanks very much for the help!

[boat737]

Post some pictures. I would think it can be salvaged. I've read others have had a problem with the Inch/Pound setting on these (using foot/pound by mistake), but don't know the fix or solution.

[Papa]

Have you tried to contact Wilwood directly? They may take care of it for you.

[Izzy]

I'm going to call them first thing tomorrow... glad to hear this has come up before on this Forum, and hoping to hear from others who have had the problem...
Thanks!

[Papa]

For what it's worth, I have an AC Delco digital torque wrench that I really like for low torque work (2-37 ft. lbs.).

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-ARM60...+torque+wrench

It displays ft.-lb., Nm, in-lb., and kg-cm to save you from the math converting units. It works well and won't break the bank.

[Straversi]

There are u-tube videos on how to back out a broken bolt. If you don't want to mess with that, Wilwood will sell you a new Rotor hat. They will also sell you bolts but only in a package of 12 for $85. PM me and I'll mail you a bolt. Get the feeling you are not the first to do this?
-Steve

[Izzy]

Thanks Steve...perhaps I should have mentioned that we used red Loctite...and this was the fourth bolt to go on--so I'm guessing it's going to be pretty hard to get the hat off.... I'm more or less resigned to buying new parts, but thought I would ask anyways. Glad to hear I'm not the only one... And yes, we did make sure the torque wrench was reading inch-pounds, and not foot-pounds, as someone else mentioned.
Thanks-

[CraigS]

Red loctite comes apart w/ heat. Do you have just 4 bolts in or??? If you can get the others out, separate the parts, then weld a glob onto the snapped bolt the weld heat should loosen the loctite. Once you have a small glob built up, vise grips may turn out the bolt.

[Dave Howard]

Hi Izzy.

I had the same experience. I used Loctite and did not install the wires. I changed the rotors to slotted/drilled units. While removing the hats from the original disc , I broke one of the bolts. I took the hat to a local machine shop and for a few bucks the we're able to extract the broken bolt. You can get replacement bolts from Wilwood. Good luck

[Izzy]

This morning I took the hat/rotor with offending broken-off bolt to a local machine shop...they didn't think they could help, but sent me to a "Tap and Bolt Removing" shop...who knew? And they managed to get it out! Now what I'd like to do is loosen the 6 bolts that we managed to get in, because I suspect they are slightly misaligned, and I'd like another shot at getting this right. But they are secured with red loctite. So, how much heat do I need to loosen these bolts? Would direct heat with a butane micro-torch do it? A propane torch with a pencil flame? And do I need to worry about warping the rotors or hat in the process? Appreciate all comments- Thanks!

[edwardb]

Good news you got the broken one out. To remove the balance, absolutely apply heat or you risk the chance of breaking more. According to the mfg's website, red Loctite needs 550 degrees to come loose. They show using a propane torch. But given the finish on the hat, I would use a heat gun if you have one. (Or maybe this is is good excuse to buy one? I use mine all the time. ) Should be easy enough to get the 550 degrees with a heat gun, since it's a pretty small bolt. For your future assembly, get all the bolts started and lightly tightened. Then go back and apply the Loctite and torque spec individually. Good luck.

[Boydster]

...For your future assembly, get all the bolts started and lightly tightened. Then go back and apply the Loctite and torque spec individually. Good luck.

This is seriously good advise... dont torque any bolts until all are seated.

I learned that lesson installing a very expensive prop spinner...