Appreciation post: that trick with the zip tie on a stuck brake caliper pin

Spent 45 minutes trying to hammer a frozen pin out on a '14 Civic, then saw an old forum post about using a zip tie as a puller. Wrapped it tight, gave it a yank, and it popped right out, saved me ordering a whole new bracket. Anyone got other weird little fixes for seized hardware?

2 comments

2 Comments

robert_jones2d ago

Saw a vid where a guy used a soda can shim for a stuck rotor. Cut a strip, hammered it in between the rotor and hub, the aluminum expands and breaks the rust weld. Also read about heating a bolt with a soldering iron for direct heat without cooking everything around it.

lopez.mason2d ago

That zip tie trick saved me a whole afternoon on an old Corolla. @robert_jones, the soldering iron tip is a good one for tight spots. My go-to for a rounded bolt is hammering on a slightly smaller socket, the impact can sometimes get it to bite. A 50/50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid beats most store-bought penetrants. Letting it soak overnight with that mix has freed bolts I thought were part of the car forever.