STI Caliper: no thread for bolt. What do?

carsebuco · 07-05-2025, 06:42 PM

Decided to change my brakes on my own. Bad idea. Bottom bolt of front caliper that connects to the knuckle does not go back in anymore (or rather, goes in too easily); bolt won't thread in. I can just push the entire bolt in without resistance. I even tried swapping it with the bolt from the other side, but no bite.

Is this fixable, or do I need a whole new caliper? I'm not gonna try to fix it myself, but I'd rather know if I should expect to pay for new threads to be drilled or for a whole new caliper.

Car is a 2004 fSTI with the gold calipers.

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Charlie-III · 07-06-2025, 08:43 AM

If enough metal, use a helicoil or timsert.

carsebuco · 07-06-2025, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie-III

If enough metal, use a helicoil or timsert.

pardon my ignorance, but won't remaking the threads require a thicker bolt afterwards? or are these actual inserts?

lukethedork · 07-07-2025, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsebuco

pardon my ignorance, but won't remaking the threads require a thicker bolt afterwards? or are these actual inserts?

You drill the hole larger and then the insert goes in to make the same size as the original hole.

cboggess · 07-07-2025, 10:33 AM

Take to a Subaru shop in your area. Have them install a timesert. Get new bolts from Subaru go on your way.

07-05-2025, 06:42 PM	#1
carsebuco Scooby Specialist Member#: 482289 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: DE	STI Caliper: no thread for bolt. What do? Decided to change my brakes on my own. Bad idea. Bottom bolt of front caliper that connects to the knuckle does not go back in anymore (or rather, goes in too easily); bolt won't thread in. I can just push the entire bolt in without resistance. I even tried swapping it with the bolt from the other side, but no bite. Is this fixable, or do I need a whole new caliper? I'm not gonna try to fix it myself, but I'd rather know if I should expect to pay for new threads to be drilled or for a whole new caliper. Car is a 2004 fSTI with the gold calipers. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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07-06-2025, 08:43 AM	#2
Charlie-III Scooby Guru Member#: 30669 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: USA, North NJ, 07456 Vehicle: 1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT	If enough metal, use a helicoil or timsert.

07-07-2025, 10:33 AM	#5
cboggess Scooby Specialist Member#: 30804 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: SWIC Vehicle: 87 Yugo Red	Take to a Subaru shop in your area. Have them install a timesert. Get new bolts from Subaru go on your way.