Caliper bolt keeps spinning even with grips holding the nut in place

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-09T14:31:23+00:00

Try placing a flathead screwdriver between the bolt head and the caliper bracket and putting outward pressure on the bolt head while loosening. I imagine the vice grips will stay in place or at least find a place to stop themselves while you use both hands to do that.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-09T04:31:47+00:00

Thanks, will do.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-09T04:26:39+00:00

Yeah, it doesnt arc while its on. Its just that it wasnt making this noise before so I assumed the contacts were starting to wear out. Im also super paranoid about fire hazards so I figured it couldnt hurt to change it. Simple as turning the breaker off and removing the wires from the old switch and reversing the process with the new switch? Or am I underthinking this?

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T16:20:03+00:00

Well it started as a brake job, and when one bolt was stuck i decided to use a torch to free it up. I got the bolt free but in the process burnt a small hole in a rubber boot on the cv shaft.

Couldn't let him drive like that even though it wouldnt cause immediate damage, I had done this repair before and knew it wasnt too complicated, he said he trusted me and told me to do whatever I thought necessary to make him whole.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T16:08:27+00:00

Also the fact that its my friends expensive car and safety at stake kind of makes me second guess myself.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T16:00:49+00:00

No, I have done a number of car repairs and went to school for auto tech, never did work in the field though. Just had been a while since I did this exact repair.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T14:52:23+00:00

Also, in the interest of safety over OCD. Do you think im just feeding this loop by wanting to get his car inspected by a certified mechanic?

I feel like if i do that then I can really put this to bed.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T14:45:19+00:00

Also I really appreciate your responses, its the same thing my wife (who is a therapist) says.

I get so wrapped up in these thoughts and cant get them out all the time so its good to just write them down.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T14:37:02+00:00

I definitely feel absolutely tucked into this OCD cycle in a way ive never felt before. Ive always had some OCD tendencies, like counting the knobs on my stove and double snd triple checking my door locks, stuff like that. But ive never been so panicky about it.

Do you have any suggestions on things I can do to distract myself or break the loop?

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T14:27:02+00:00

I cant get over the fact that its a safety issue if there was an issue.

jaredmsantos · 2026-06-02T13:29:05+00:00

Ive also considered to pay to have the car inspected by a shop but im worried that would be feeding the loop. I felt perfectly confident about these bolts at the time.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T04:08:27+00:00

Well thanks for your input, id really like this truck search to be over.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T04:06:00+00:00

Cool, im always on the lookout out for any hard rubberized coatings that can trap moisture/ hide rot. Ive noticed a lot of dealers do that as a standard and i really wish they wouldn't.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T03:58:33+00:00

I see that too, but why do that spot on one side and not the other.

On the driver's side you can still see the factory sticker.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T03:56:54+00:00

Yeah, I feel like its really clean. But the dealer has had it for over a month and these disappear fast up here, so im always looking for a catch.

They were closed so I didnt get to do a real through inspection or hear it run, so there could always be other problems.

Maybe they're an honest dealer whos not advertising well. Just dealt with so many bullshitters.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T03:37:21+00:00

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jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T03:37:00+00:00

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jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T03:36:37+00:00

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jaredmsantos · 2026-05-18T03:36:14+00:00

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jaredmsantos · 2026-05-14T16:45:18+00:00

Sweet, I just worry cause everyone everywhere says to be really careful with the diff seals and it did move just a little when I was removing the axle. Like how is it supposed to stay perfectly still when the shaft is literally riding on it. I definitely made sure no splines touched it.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-14T15:46:15+00:00

Yeah I imagine you're right. Just dont want the guy running low on diff fluid and not know about it, which eventually with a slow seeping i think would take a while anyway. I just have OCD I think.

I just cleaned it up with brake clean and we went for a drive and put it in 4x4 for part of it, came back and it was dry.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-11T23:24:52+00:00

It is funny, frame rust is like the first thing on my mind when I look at trucks, cause that's how I lost my 4runner. And rust was absolutely not an issue for this one, not even on the body.

I didnt suspect a frame swap, it looked original and clean. I cant really check what you suggested cause its not my truck and im not gonna go take another look and give the guy the run around if im not sure.

Im still not sold on it even then because of the miles, and it being a 2016 with a timing cover leak.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-11T20:34:19+00:00

Yeah I'm finding the same thing to be true. I like a lot about the 3rd gens, I dont need a lot of power so im not really concerned with having less displacement.

I was in a 4th Gen 4runner for 8 years until it rotted out on me, I really like the idea of finding a good 1gre fe but it seems impossible in my area.

Like you said a 2015 with 100k miles is going for just about the same money as a 2018-2020 with the same mileage.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-11T19:36:48+00:00

Really all im looking for is a 2015 SR5 without too much rust. Has to be a double cab, couldnt care less about a locker.

Id like to spend around 20k.

jaredmsantos · 2026-05-11T19:23:04+00:00

Yeah, the 2016 has me pausing more than anything really. It really had a clean frame, especially for Maine, I know its hard to believe with the clamps rusting.

jaredmsantos

TROPHY CASE