Removing slide bolts, spinning pins?

[Hall]

When removing the slide pin bolts, very often the slide pin itself spins on me and you have to wedge something to stop it or use a wrench or similar on the flats to stop it from spinning. How do people avoid this? Do people use power tools to get around this? My open-end wrenches are too wide to fit and with other tools (pliers, vise grips, etc), I'm always afraid of damaging the slide pin boots.

Does it happen from people also using power tools to reinstall them and they over-tighten them? I know they need very little torque for proper application too. Apply a bit of anti-seize to the bolts?

 

[crashz]

I recently discovered thin wrenches made for this application. Prior to this I took a cheap open end wrench and ground it down to fit, which sometimes means sacrificing your only 16mm wrench. I haven't used the thin wrenches yet, but will use them on their maiden voyage soon when I replace the brakes on my wife's car.

I use a little anti-seize on the slide pin bolts and thread locker on the caliper bracket bolts.

 

[QwikKota]

You can buy thin wrenches or grind down an existing wrench to fit.

 

[shortyb]

https://www.jbtools.com/astro-razor...DXMIF81enPr4itTpibZz-ERQ2pF4rwahoCsvcQAvD_BwE

You can thank me later .

 

[D60]

Yep plate wrenches -- or if they'll fit I prefer Snappy's thin wrenches which are NOT just cut from plate but a legit wrench that's just thinner. I think Capri and one or two others also offer true thin wrenches.

The Snappys are LTAM**** IIRC. Buying used one-by-one on ebay can be quite affordable.

Truthfully you want both because oftentimes things like swivel stem casters require a plate wrench. But the thin wrenches can withstand a lot more torque -- it's easy to start to deform a plate wrench under moderate load (the contact area is incredibly small)

 

[D60]

Left to right, assuming 17mm:
Astro razor .290"
Snappy thin .159"
V8 Tools plate wrench: .112"

 

[shortyb]

Wow, those are THIN! My Astros fit some pretty tightly spaced flats, and haven't found anything I need something thinner for. Yet. But if I did, maybe I could knock off an armored car and get a set of those Snap-ons .

 

[iCurious]

It just means the pins are not seized or still new.

Just buy cheap thin wrenches on amazon to hold them back. No other way around this.

 

[D60]

Wow, those are THIN! My Astros fit some pretty tightly spaced flats, and haven't found anything I need something thinner for. Yet. But if I did, maybe I could knock off an armored car and get a set of those Snap-ons .

Looks like Capri is $44 for an entire set

https://www.zoro.com/capri-tools-su...tric-7-pcs-6-to-19-mm-11850-7mrk/i/G800017625

 

[CleanSump]

I'll be Mr. Obvious. They have flats because the Engineers designed them to be used with a wrench.

 

[DCDG]

When removing the slide pin bolts, very often the slide pin itself spins on me and you have to wedge something to stop it or use a wrench or similar on the flats to stop it from spinning. How do people avoid this? Do people use power tools to get around this? My open-end wrenches are too wide to fit and with other tools (pliers, vise grips, etc), I'm always afraid of damaging the slide pin boots.

Does it happen from people also using power tools to reinstall them and they over-tighten them? I know they need very little torque for proper application too. Apply a bit of anti-seize to the bolts?

Thin jaw adjustable wrench I found works.

 

[Hall]

You can buy thin wrenches or grind down an existing wrench to fit.

I've honestly searched for "thin wrench" or similar on Amazon but didn't find what I was looking for. Got links from others now though.

I'll be Mr. Obvious. They have flats because the Engineers designed them to be use with a wrench.

"Obviously" you missed where I said I "use a wrench or similar on the flats to stop it from spinning" but the ones I have "are too wide to fit" and am looking for different or better solutions.

 

[The Critic]

I've honestly searched for "thin wrench" or similar on Amazon but didn't find what I was looking for. Got links from others now though.

"Obviously" you missed where I said I "use a wrench or similar on the flats to stop it from spinning" but the ones I have "are too wide to fit" and am looking for different or better solutions.

With thin wrenches the metal quality becomes evident. Don’t ask me how I know.

 

[Hall]

16mm wrench

Left to right, assuming 17mm:

What are typical sizes ?

You can thank me later .

Thanks for the link, but for my limited use, I can't justify that cost. I'll definitely look into the Capri wrenches though.

 

[CleanSump]

I've honestly searched for "thin wrench" or similar on Amazon but didn't find what I was looking for. Got links from others now though.

"Obviously" you missed where I said I "use a wrench or similar on the flats to stop it from spinning" but the ones I have "are too wide to fit" and am looking for different or better solutions.

I took it out for you since you don't understand a joke. Your thread, my error.

 

[D60]

What are typical sizes ?

Thanks for the link, but for my limited use, I can't justify that cost. I'll definitely look into the Capri wrenches though.

I feel like it's often 17mm which is why I chose that. Maybe 14, too?

Obviously depends on vehicle manufacturer. If it were BMW it'd probably be 16mm

 

[The Critic]

What are typical sizes ?

Thanks for the link, but for my limited use, I can't justify that cost. I'll definitely look into the Capri wrenches though.

It's usually 17mm, but some of the other sizes look like they have been used. I have the VIM set; they're not expensive.

 

[D60]

With thin wrenches the metal quality becomes evident. Don’t ask me how I know.

This is why I like the SnapOns. I figure if anyone's going to be conscientious about metallurgy and tolerances, it'd be them. Source: their line wrenches are almost universally accepted as the best in the biz -- which doesn't necessarily mean that carries over to their thin wrenches I know

 

[The Critic]

Obviously depends on vehicle manufacturer. If it were BMW it'd probably be 16mm

In your example it is probably a DIN vs. JIS thing...

 

[D60]

It's usually 17mm, but some of the other sizes look like they have been used. I have the VIM set; they're not expensive.

I'm still on a VIM blackout from a crappy warranty experience. Not that I actually expect anyone else to care. I just like to complain. Now I feel better.

I'll find something else to complain about in five minutes