The last thing you want when you throw out the anchors is the brake caliper flapping about in breeze. If it was my life on the line, I'd be using a helicoil. No question. Better still, buy another hub carrier with decent threads.

John

First question: Is the bolt the original or what is its origin – like was it purchased from mini spares on that part number?

Can you get a nut on the back?

The replacement brake pad kits I have fitted recently came with replacement calliper bolts with pre-applied blue thread locking stuff (for want of a better description) on them. It is obviously felt that the calliper securing bolts are a highly stressed part that should be routinely replaced with new ones when the pads are replaced and that the fit should be such that the thread locking will work. So if you don't have new bolts get some, if the fit is too loose for thread locking liquids to be effective either Helicoil or replace the calliper. It should not something that causes you to worry every time you apply the brakes. Don't forget also that they can get hot in use so a good mechanical fit is essential, not a sloppy one that only just takes the torque. With front wheel drive you are not just stopping the car, you may also be braking the engine so the front brakes do a lot of work, the back ones hardly any.

I had a Fiesta that I commuted to work in in the 1980s. Coming up to a junction as I applied the brake I had a failure that that reduced the braking effect by about 50%, one of the front brake hubs sheared between the disk and the hub due to corrosion and stress. If it had happened in an emergency braking situation I think I would have been unable to avoid a collision. Don't take any chances with the brakes being good enough, they need to be properly maintained with parts that are in good condition.

Martin C

From memory, shouldn't it be a shouldered bolt, ie plain portion larger od than the threaded portion?

.

I have to ask : What grade of fit is that Tap … and is as per specification ?

MichaelG.

I’ve had a couple of these that are less than great. Not sure why they get chewed up. On my last project I just fitted new castings. Not sure if some of the aftermarket callipers are a touch off and make it easy to chew up?

Howard T , Interesting point you made about thru hole helicoils, I used them several years ago and they were called centre nip but when I rang for some recently I was told they were no longer made and to use standard ones!!

… Still wondering

MichaelG.