When changing out the front brakes I loosened up two extra bolts that did not need to be broken free. They are not the two bolts that attach the caliper to the axle, but rather the smaller ones further out from the center. They are on the outside edge of the caliper and seem to have a black rubber cover over them you can see when the brake caliper pistons move to expose them. Hopefully that makes sense. The point is I cannot get these two smaller outside bolts to tighten up again. They seem to just spin freely. I am guessing they are important. How do you tighten them??? What are they for??? Thank you!

 

Since you didn't list what kind of car you have, I'll go by your screenname. So... are you working on a Jeep?

 

Sorry... 2002 Z28

 

I think you're talking about the two 12mm head bolts that attach the caliper to the caliper bracket. Those bolts screw into a slide pin that can spin with the bolt. All you need to do is stop the pins from rotating when tightening the bolt. Use a wrench or some channel-locks (gently). Don't tear the rubber boots.

 

Those are the ones. I didn't see anything on the back side. I'll pull it apart again. Now that I know what is there I should be able to find it. It looks like I took off the caliper frame and caliper mounting bolts. Will I need loctite on BOTH the caliper frame bolts (larger) AND the caliper mounting bolts (smaller)?

 

i wouldn't use loctite. you'll never get them out again.

 

I have heard of people actually having the calipers fall off the car b/c they didn't use loctite. I think i'll stick w/ loctite on the caliper bolts, but skip the caliper frame bolts. Thanks!

 

You can use a light duty threadlock on the caliper bracket to knuckle bolts if you like. Do NOT use threadlock on the caliper pin bolts. The only reason any of the bolts would come loose and/or fall out is due to improper torque.