How can I remove a stuck front brake bolt?

[Frank121]

I have a used frame and fork, and the front brake bolt that goes through the back of the fork and
screws on the front brake post will not come out. It is off the brake post easily enough, but I
can't get it out of the fork.

The bolt is too long for the brakeset and I have tried pulling it out the back to no avail. Of
course, it is too big to go out the front hole.

It appears as if maybe the long bolt has been mushroomed at the end closest to the brake and that is
why it won't pull out the back side?

Any suggestions? I have pulled it pretty hard trying to pull it through the back but didn't want to
try pulling harder if there was a better way.

Thanks,

Frank

 

[Frank121]

This crisis is over and all is well with the world! I went back to the garage and got out the
cyclist's second-best friend (not sure what is first), my trusty Dremel tool.

I wrapped some thin bubble wrap on the fork legs and head tube to protect them, then with some
Visegrips pulled the bolt as far to the rear as it could go like I was trying to pull it out the
back side of the fork.

I then used the Dremel cutting wheel to cut the bolt off as close to the fork as I felt I safely
could. I then pushed the bolt forward and it fell through the opening under the fork crown and is
now out of the fork.

Proper length front brake bolt is next and I am through with this issue.

Frank

"frank121" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I have a used frame and fork, and the front brake bolt that goes through
the
> back of the fork and screws on the front brake post will not come out. It
is
> off the brake post easily enough, but I can't get it out of the fork.
>
> The bolt is too long for the brakeset and I have tried pulling it out the back to no avail. Of
> course, it is too big to go out the front hole.
>
> It appears as if maybe the long bolt has been mushroomed at the end
closest
> to the brake and that is why it won't pull out the back side?
>
> Any suggestions? I have pulled it pretty hard trying to pull it through
the
> back but didn't want to try pulling harder if there was a better way.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Frank

 

[Gary Jacobson]

How about tapping the bolt gently with a punch? GJ

"frank121" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I have a used frame and fork, and the front brake bolt that goes through
the
> back of the fork and screws on the front brake post will not come out. It
is
> off the brake post easily enough, but I can't get it out of the fork.
>
> The bolt is too long for the brakeset and I have tried pulling it out the back to no avail. Of
> course, it is too big to go out the front hole.
>
> It appears as if maybe the long bolt has been mushroomed at the end
closest
> to the brake and that is why it won't pull out the back side?
>
> Any suggestions? I have pulled it pretty hard trying to pull it through
the
> back but didn't want to try pulling harder if there was a better way.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Frank

 

[Frank121]

I tried that but didn't want to take a chance on damaging the fork by jamming the bolt out
the backside.

Once I got the bolt out by the Dremel tool method, looks like the end of the bolt that was stuck
inside the fork crown was indeed mushroomed somehow...maybe by being too long and being tightened
too tightly against the brake post or something? Anyway, it is out.

"Gary Jacobson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How about tapping the bolt gently with a punch? GJ
>
> "frank121" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > I have a used frame and fork, and the front brake bolt that goes through
> the
> > back of the fork and screws on the front brake post will not come out.
It
> is
> > off the brake post easily enough, but I can't get it out of the fork.
> >
> > The bolt is too long for the brakeset and I have tried pulling it out
the
> > back to no avail. Of course, it is too big to go out the front hole.
> >
> > It appears as if maybe the long bolt has been mushroomed at the end
> closest
> > to the brake and that is why it won't pull out the back side?
> >
> > Any suggestions? I have pulled it pretty hard trying to pull it through
> the
> > back but didn't want to try pulling harder if there was a better way.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Frank
> >
> >
>

 

[Michael Dart]

"frank121" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> This crisis is over and all is well with the world! I went back to the garage and got out the
> cyclist's second-best friend (not sure what is first), my trusty Dremel tool.
>

Duck tape and zip ties of course! ;^)

Mike

 

[A Muzi]

"frank121" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I have a used frame and fork, and the front brake bolt that goes through
the
> back of the fork and screws on the front brake post will not come out. It
is
> off the brake post easily enough, but I can't get it out of the fork.
>
> The bolt is too long for the brakeset and I have tried pulling it out the back to no avail. Of
> course, it is too big to go out the front hole.
>
> It appears as if maybe the long bolt has been mushroomed at the end
closest
> to the brake and that is why it won't pull out the back side?
>
> Any suggestions? I have pulled it pretty hard trying to pull it through
the
> back but didn't want to try pulling harder if there was a better way.

It's unlikely to have "mushroomed" but it may well be rusty. Screw a 50mm long 6mm bolt ( reflector
mount) into the brake nut and tap it back through the crown with a hammer.

--
Andrew Muzi http://www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April 1971