Z32 - another brake question

[Rittmeister]

OK, solved the riddle about which bolts to use to attach the Z32 caliper to the S13 spindle.

This is for a 30mm iron caliper.

NOW, I need to know where I can get the bolts that actually hold the two halves of the caliper together. I bought some calipers here on the forum and they showed up partially disassembled, and a couple of those bolts are missing. They're about 3" long, I measured the threads at 10x1.25 (I think), and take a 14mm socket.

I checked my local hardware, which is actually a mecca for metric stuff, but struck out. The closest bolt had the right threads and shaft length but a 17mm head, and I'm afraid they won't fit properly. They're also not coated at all, so I'm sure they'd rust quickly. Did some searching here and came up with a McFadden-Dales, which doesn't exist in my area.

A call to the dealer determined that these particular bolts aren't listed separately from the calipers. My parts guy is going to do a little digging, but if anyone could either tell me where I could get the right bolts, or what other bolt somewhere else on the car is the same, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Rittmeister]

Uh... anyone?

Or, has anyone used the hardware-store bolts with the 17mm head, with no trouble?

[projectRDM]

You may need a washer to sit them on if the bolt head won't go flush to the caliper, but otherwise that's fine.

[dirtyafrican]

440 Front Brake :: Brake :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 300ZX (Z32) 1990-1996 :: CourtesyParts.com (http://www.courtesyparts.com/300zx-z32-1990-1996/genuine-nissan-parts/brake/440-front-brake/-c-882_883_982_983.html)
441 Rear Brake :: Brake :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 300ZX (Z32) 1990-1996 :: CourtesyParts.com (http://www.courtesyparts.com/300zx-z32-1990-1996/genuine-nissan-parts/brake/441-rear-brake/-c-882_883_982_984.html)

:]

[projectRDM]

440 Front Brake :: Brake :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 300ZX (Z32) 1990-1996 :: CourtesyParts.com (http://www.courtesyparts.com/300zx-z32-1990-1996/genuine-nissan-parts/brake/440-front-brake/-c-882_883_982_983.html)
441 Rear Brake :: Brake :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 300ZX (Z32) 1990-1996 :: CourtesyParts.com (http://www.courtesyparts.com/300zx-z32-1990-1996/genuine-nissan-parts/brake/441-rear-brake/-c-882_883_982_984.html)

:]

Nice. Why not include a link to a blender too, you know something else useless? The caliper half bolts are not sold separately, as mentioned above and shown in the link that you yourself provided.

[japslapsilvia]

i may be mistaken but i seem to recall an issue with z-32 brakes being taken part. IIRC there is an o-ring in the fluid passage way that tends to expand and will NOT seal correctly. you may want to search, i know its been covered on several forums.

[projectRDM]

i may be mistaken but i seem to recall an issue with z-32 brakes being taken part. IIRC there is an o-ring in the fluid passage way that tends to expand and will NOT seal correctly. you may want to search, i know its been covered on several forums.

I've never had that issue, a few people talk about losing the o-ring or placing it in wrong and crushing it though.

[japslapsilvia]

I've never had that issue, a few people talk about losing the o-ring or placing it in wrong and crushing it though.

ah yes u sir are correct. the issue was about people loosing the o-rings
http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/72467-dam-you-300zx-caliper-o-rings.html

[Rittmeister]

I have a source for brand-new O-rings, I'm not worried about that.

I saw the diagram linked above. I think the bolt that's shown may be the caliper-to-spindle bolt but in any case I've now talked to the parts guys at two dealers and both say the caliper-half bolts aren't sold separately from the calipers.

Dammit.

Looks like I need to take the caliper to the hardware store and see what's what. I suppose if worse comes to worst I'd need to grind the heads of the bolts down but I'd be worried about the heat from that affecting the bolts. I'll try the washer idea first.

[projectRDM]

I have a source for brand-new O-rings, I'm not worried about that.

I saw the diagram linked above. I think the bolt that's shown may be the caliper-to-spindle bolt but in any case I've now talked to the parts guys at two dealers and both say the caliper-half bolts aren't sold separately from the calipers.

Dammit.

Looks like I need to take the caliper to the hardware store and see what's what. I suppose if worse comes to worst I'd need to grind the heads of the bolts down but I'd be worried about the heat from that affecting the bolts. I'll try the washer idea first.

I'd keep looking. I had to replace the bolts on my Z32 rears and found a match in a big hardware store locally, there's probably a few special order places like McMaster-Carr that may have them too.

[Rittmeister]

Tried McMaster-Carr, nutsandbolts.com, etc. No one seems to have the right bolt with the 14mm head. I can get the bolt with a 17mm head all day long, anywhere.

I just bought some at the hardware; I'll use them at the ends of the caliper where the head size doesn't matter, and use the stockers in the inboard positions. I don't see another choice really; I'd hit a junkyard but Z and S chassis are pretty thin on the ground in my area, it would be futile.

[projectRDM]

Tried McMaster-Carr, nutsandbolts.com, etc. No one seems to have the right bolt with the 14mm head. I can get the bolt with a 17mm head all day long, anywhere.

I just bought some at the hardware; I'll use them at the ends of the caliper where the head size doesn't matter, and use the stockers in the inboard positions. I don't see another choice really; I'd hit a junkyard but Z and S chassis are pretty thin on the ground in my area, it would be futile.

Make sure the bolts are coated, or that you clear them after install. Mine have a nice line of rust dribbling out from corrosion. I didn't think to check the corrosion rating when I bought them.

[Rittmeister]

I have already painted the calipers hi-temp black, and once I re-assemble I'll shoot them again, with the bolts torqued down. I think that will do the trick, since I shouldn't have to take these apart again.

[Rittmeister]

This just in - I may have located the proper bolts. I'll post the info back here early next week when I know for sure.