so today my front end locked up pretty harshly...

[springtensi0n]

alright, so i've been getting a pretty bad vibration since my north carolina trip. not exactly sure what that problem is, but i thought i found out today. i was thinking either u joints or my my passenger side cv, or maybe even wheel bearings. anyways, today after my daily hour drive to work i pulled into a parking spot and heard a loud pop as i turned the wheel and my front right tire totally locked up and i skid a few feet. so i try to move again, giving it a little gas to get started and a loud pop and i move fine for about a foot, then a nice loud bang and i skid some more. everythings fine while im in reverse which is a little weird. i have my buddy get out to look and he notices my passenger side caliper jump down when i tap the breaks. wtf. it turned out to be the bottom bolt that holds the caliper assembly to the "mounting bracket" which hovers over the rotor. i searched all the ford dealers in the area and they said they would have to order it. of course they were telling me it was the "caliper pin" but im pretty sure they're thinking of the caliper slide pins. they told me it would be about $50 for a "kit" to rebuild the breaks. they also said that would be the only way to get it. im pretty sure they dont know what they're talking about. does anyone know if a regular (same size) bolt would do the trick? i hope so, from what i can see it just clamps the caliper onto that bracket i spoke of. the bolt is a 12 milimeter x 1 1/4 (roughly) with threads on about 3/4 of it, then the rest is smooth. i guess ill find out tomorrow if this fixes the vibration...

 

[Positive Vibes]

Call around the junk yards and pick and pulls. If I understand correctly its one of the two bolts the mounts the calipers to the backing plate. Any bolt should work, of course if its the right treads and length.

 

[springtensi0n]

thats what i thought, im waiting for a ride to home depot and a few other hardware stores to check for the same size bolt. if not, ill have to have the base machine shop help me out. i tried one junk yard and they didnt have any in their big bin of bolts (i checked myself) i could have had them pull one for a $20 minimum charge (F that.)

 

[TheRookie]

The part you need IS available seperately. Happens all the time. Call a few other dealers. I would avoid a hardware store bolt as they are not rated.

 

[springtensi0n]

you wouldnt happen to be able to find a part number would you?

 

[Hartman]

The same bolt came loose on me. Fortunately, my wheel did not lock up. I was able to pick up the bolt at a Ford dealer. Just ask for a caliper bracket bolt.

 

[TheRookie]

I will try to remember to get the part number for you tomorrow. A good ford dealer should be able to help you out with it also

 

[springtensi0n]

alright, thanks guys, im off to work. hopefully i can get one from a dealer around there sometime today. if not im going to have to use a hardened bolt i got from a hardware store last night until i can get the right part. looks like nows a good time to use thread locker.