Brake Caliper bolt snapped... DANG!

[PATA]

Dang truck brake caliper hex bolt head snapped off. What the h*ll do I do now? drill it out to get the caliper off then deal with it? heat up the caliper to make sure the other doesn't snap? Will that (the heating) affect the brake fluid? I am so frustrated.

[J-Ri]

Put a lot of penetrating oil on the area where it's broke off. Smack the center of the bolt pretty hard with a center punch and hammer. Apply more penetrating oil, and smack it a few more times. Try to get penetrating oil on as much of the bolt as you can.
Smack the outside of the bolt pretty good.

From here you can go 3 ways. I'd try them in order.

1) Get a set of vicegrips on the bolt. It should be sticking out far enough on the opposite side if the pads are worn enough to replace. Hit the vice grips with a rubber or plastic mallet (short bursts are less likely to break anything, and more likely to get it loose). Keep soaking it in penetrating oil. Hit it a few more times, and just keep repeating those steps. It should come out doing that for long enough. Remember you will be turning the bolt clockwise (as looking at it from the outside of the vehicle) to loosen it.
2) Try a screw extractor. You'll need to drill a pretty big and straigh hole, which will be somewhat difficult if it's just on jack stands.
3) Drill the entire bolt out and use a heala-coil (sp?).

[PATA]

Thanks.... I will climb under and do it WHEN IT STOPS SNOWING HERE IN BOSTON!... sheesh, we had snow yesterday...

Penetrating oil.. like PB Breaker... or Liquid Wrench? Spray and hit spray let sit, Spray and hit spray let sit, Spray and hit spray let sit, allowing to penetrate? Dont heat?

Pads are worn... dont know how the caliper will be out of the way enough to grab the broken bolt. I will do the above to the other bolt so as to not break the head off that one as well. With the head off, and the other bolt out will I be able to get the caliper off? off so I can grip the broken bolt? I will have to take a look and see.

Thanks!

[PATA]

got it... not as easy as I hoped. caliper on, wheel turns... brakes need bleeding. Thanks for all who helped!