Anybody replaced their front brake Torx bolts

vanandy

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Hi
Having got a puncture I have just found out how pants the front brake bolts are. Torx bolts are a nightmare especially when the tyre shop has put a million lb of torque on them, a bigger nightmare when you haven't the correct E12 torx bit and your cheap socket has decided to explode.
So, has anybody replaced their front brake Torx bolts, would 8mm stainless allen head bolts do the trick? or is there something special about these bolts?
By the way, this has generated a £60 dent on new tools. :D
 
correct quality torx bit and a hot air gun to loosen the thread lock,you did use a hot air gun didnt you?
 
Generic stainless bolts have nowhere near the shear strength of the OE parts. Now, plenty of people will say that they've never had a problem BUT it's something you should be aware of before you make a decision.

Personally, new OE bolts and a drop of Hammerite into the head when done.
 
autogs said:
correct quality torx bit and a hot air gun to loosen the thread lock,you did use a hot air gun didnt you?
Click to expand...

I love power tools and I do have a heat gun but I'd be reckless with a paint stipper and its far too near me wheels. I got one side off and managed the wheel out, really its just for next time.
New tools, I've had the torx sockets arrive and I'm waiting on a makita impact driver and 2 x socket sets.:D:D:D

"Generic stainless bolts have nowhere near the shear strength of the OE parts"
I'd guessed they where a bit speacial from the colour / thread shape. Will refrain from replacing.

Thanks for the advice.

Andy
 
High tensile bolts

Hi,
for brake components, it is good to use high tensile bolts. Normal stainless steel bolt won't have the same parameters.
I remember that on the first version of F800GS, there were slightly different bolts on the front brake calipers and then its was for some reason changed to e-torx. For fixing the bolts, I have quite good experience with Loctite.
 
Buy the Profesional Torx Bits from Halfords and when they break they give you a new one. They all break sooner or later and they change them, no questions asked. Don't even want a receipt.
 
So when I have a puncture out in the wilds, I need to carry a compressor, power tool and heat gun to remove the front wheel. What a joke. I've changed the torx bolts and fitted normal bolts, yes with locktite. I've had to add a 5lb bag of tools just to remove the wheels and tyres. The 1200gs has tubeless tyres, why could they not have done the same for the 800?
 
dmilne said:
So when I have a puncture out in the wilds, I need to carry a compressor, power tool and heat gun to remove the front wheel. What a joke. I've changed the torx bolts and fitted normal bolts, yes with locktite. I've had to add a 5lb bag of tools just to remove the wheels and tyres. The 1200gs has tubeless tyres, why could they not have done the same for the 800?
Click to expand...

why would you remove the discs to take the wheel out?
 
vanandy said:
Hi
Having got a puncture I have just found out how pants the front brake bolts are. Torx bolts are a nightmare especially when the tyre shop has put a million lb of torque on them, a bigger nightmare when you haven't the correct E12 torx bit and your cheap socket has decided to explode. :D
Click to expand...

As you're referring to having used a socket, I'm assuming you mean the caliper bolts. You don't need to remove the caliper to take out the front wheel, just the front axle.
 
This is a bizarre thread.

All you need to do is buy a few of the right tools, you definately dont need an air gun just a couple of sockets 17mm & E12 i think and a tool to use them with (ratchet or T bar etc) and a couple of torx keys T25 and 40.

Obviously for a puncture you would need something to fix it with.

should all take about 2 minutes to whip it off with practice.:)
 
Torx socket replaced with e-torx

The initial version of the F800GS had calipers fixed using socket type torx bolts.
Shortly after, the socket bolts were replaced by e-torxes.

I am not sure what was the reason of brakes getting lose (as for the recall), but in the service manual I have there are two "versions" of caliper assembly: one with socked torx socket and one with e-torx.
 
No Way was my wheel coming out without removing one caliper (2008 F8GS), I managed one but the other is stuck fast, gonna need a bar extention.
I think they let the apprentice loose on my wheels. You could get a note from the tight chain too.
 
Front callipers fitted with stainless steen Allen bolts, 87,000 miles, four winters, five years ..... no problems :thumb2

:beerjug:
 
vanandy said:
No Way was my wheel coming out without removing one caliper (2008 F8GS), I managed one but the other is stuck fast, gonna need a bar extention.
I think they let the apprentice loose on my wheels. You could get a note from the tight chain too.
Click to expand...

Mines is a 2008. I know that the handbook says remove one caliper, but it's not necessary. All you do is jack the bike up under the engine, undo the wheel axle bolt, then undo the 4 release bolts (bmw call them quick-release), and then pull out the axle. The wheel then drops down without having to touch the calipers. Just watch the abs sensor, if you have one.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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