Snap On BTCS1 Subaru bolt question

[d.mcfarland]

Quick question to anyone who has experience with Subaru's.

Is the Snap-On BTCS1 really necessary for caliper bracket removal? What are the alternative's other than removing a strut bolt? I don't want to assume wrench removes that bolt due to rust and also have heard they seize pretty regularly regardless.

BTCS1:

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Yes it is pretty much required unless you have monkey strength and can loosen the really tight bolt. Especially if they are still factory installed. Your only other options would be a wrench, ratcheting wrench or something like a low profile ratchet and socket and I’m not sure that it would work either. You can’t fit a regular 3/8 ratchet and socket in there and especially not a 1/2 if you tried. Believe me I’m a Subaru tech and I seen that and am like what a waste of money till I had to do the job and didn’t have the tool and had to borrow one. I bought one after that.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

A XL box end wrench, 17mm, is about the only other way. It could involve quite a bit of effort, and sometimes a torch as Blake mentions. The design is terrible for those bolts. That was my method prior to buying that amazing socket. You can remove the strut bolt and use a regular swivel impact socket if need be. Of course, that's another rust belt bolt you're touching, and will have to beat out with a hammer.


After you remove them, clean the area on the bolt where it goes through the knuckle thoroughly. Yes, there are/were threads down there. Also make sure the bolt moves freely in the knuckle. No, it's not threaded, although there can be threads literally made of rust you need to screw the bolt through. LOL. Then a vigorous coating of the grease of your choice around the shank where it goes through the knuckle.

 

[xjfish]

A XL box end wrench, 17mm, is about the only other way. It could involve quite a bit of effort, and sometimes a torch ...

Beat me to it. Soo... answer for OP is No. Honestly I do not own said socket (Use long wrench and heat if needed always) but now i want one. Mostly for Hyundai/Kia?

 

[Uofime]

If you have a short 3/8 17mm you can get it in there to break it loose (assuming the drive doesn’t shear) you will have to pull it out before the bolt is out and switch to a wrench. Kinda like doing spark plugs, with the right multiple combinations you can do it, probably, as long as nothing goes pear shaped.
Those bolts really do ****, I didn’t know this tool existed, I might buy it. Dare I look up the price...?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Dare I look up the price...?

$56.50

 

[d.mcfarland]

You can’t fit a regular 3/8 ratchet and socket in there and especially not a 1/2 if you tried.

That's what I heard, so thank you for confirming it.

A XL box end wrench, 17mm, is about the only other way.

Yeah, I'm thinking the socket seems worth the money based on the way you describe your experiences with them!

 

[Buckgnarly]

Long XL as mentioned is what I used before the socket. Socket is awesome and worth it!

 

[Kent_B]

If they made that in 14mm to fit the hub/bearing bolts on Subie's, I'd be all over it like a duck on a june bug even at Snappy prices.

ETA: I've never needed a special tool to remove the caliper bracket on any Subaru I've ever worked on, 17mm crowfoot, short extension and a 1/2" breaker bar if it was being really nasty

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Beat me to it. Soo... answer for OP is No. Honestly I do not own said socket (Use long wrench and heat if needed always) but now i want one. Mostly for Hyundai/Kia?

No, it doesnt fit the hyundais with the obscured 17mm next to the hub bolts. Of course, most of those are gone around here. Subaru only, EXCEPT the 2018ish and newer than have a 19mm bolt. Waiting for that socket to be released.

If they made that in 14mm to fit the hub/bearing bolts on Subie's, I'd be all over it like a duck on a june bug even at Snappy prices.

ETA: I've never needed a special tool to remove the caliper bracket on any Subaru I've ever worked on, 17mm crowfoot, short extension and a 1/2" breaker bar if it was being really nasty

Try a stubby 1/2 drive 14mm and a wobble extension. Gives the gun a good shot at them.

 

[Firebrick43]

Is this just front caliper brackets? I don't remember any issues with the rears? I dont have that socket for sure

 

[02camaro86]

you dont need the socket, and you dont need to take the strut bolt out. ive done brakes a bunch of times without. cant recall exactly how i got the bolt out but it was nothing so extraordinary that it stands out.

 

[Buckgnarly]

If they made that in 14mm to fit the hub/bearing bolts on Subie's, I'd be all over it like a duck on a june bug even at Snappy prices.

ETA: I've never needed a special tool to remove the caliper bracket on any Subaru I've ever worked on, 17mm crowfoot, short extension and a 1/2" breaker bar if it was being really nasty

The Harbor Freight 3/8 wobble impact extensions shine on those rear bearings!

 

[2ndGearRubber]

you dont need the socket, and you dont need to take the strut bolt out. ive done brakes a bunch of times without. cant recall exactly how i got the bolt out but it was nothing so extraordinary that it stands out.

3/8 low profile socket and a wobble extension works too. Just a PITA compared to an XL 17mm zero offset wrench.

 

[Mr_B]

I do a lot of subaru and I always use 1/2" nano socket and wobble extension, used a cut down chrome socket with wobble extension on mini air wrench for years .
a short slender extension and swivel on end can work too but it bit more of a jam up and you won't find many slim enough 1/"2 extensions fit straight on .

 

[setfocus]

I thought about getting that socket but the price is pretty steep. I've honestly only run into those subies a half dozen times.

Not a tool you need to get the job done, just faster easier. And as I've said, I don't work on enough of them. I use a wrench, link a second wrench to break free. Or you can pull the strut bolt and then use a normal swivel socket

 

[Bbknucks]

I just use a wrench on those...same with the hyundai's

 

[Alpine4x4]

Ironically my driver has one on the truck and I grabbed it asking him what in the hell that was for last week. Definitely an interesting specialty socket.

 

[Jweebothee]

I have one, as I am a Subaru tech but I hardly use it, I usually just use a long wrench

 

[Buckgnarly]

I think location goes a LOOOONG way with the need and use of that socket.... all you in the desert SW just please refrain from commenting...hahahah! Man I WISH we had your vehicles here!

 

[Kent_B]

Thank you, Buckgnarly. I'm pretty sure I see a RR bearing coming up on Mrs. B's '08 Outback. I can sure get to HF before I need it.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Just used that socket tonight on a 2018 Elantra front brakes....on a side note M18 mid torque said no, but Thor had NO PROBLEM at all.

 

[jcbarry]

I have one, as I am a Subaru tech but I hardly use it, I usually just use a long wrench

Absolutely true. Recovering Subie dealer tech myself. Socket is a luxury. Dont need to remove strut bolt either.

 

[crasher98]

hmm, interesting - I have a 2009 STi and replaced the front rotors several years ago when I first got it; I think I recall the upper caliper bracket bolt being a bit irritating to get to, but not a nightmare or anything. Question for the subaru pros: is this more of a problem on certain models or years? I have a southern car (lived all its life in TX/LA), so I'm sure that made a huge difference too. I found this video and it jogged my memory a little but I still can't remember how I got those bolts off:

GJers will probably recognize the signs of mental gears turning in an attempt to come up with an excuse to buy a new tool... Maybe we can have a post for "show us your tools for working on your subie!" I'd be interested to know which tools are considered "essential" vs. "worth it when your time is money" vs. "not worth it" according to people who either work on cars for a living or work on a lot of subarus or both...

Here's my collection (so far): crank pulley holder, two pins from timing belt tensioners (not sure why I saved those), brake line with rubber stopper (can't remember wtf that was for), cam lock tool, 19 mm socket I had to cut up to replace the backup light switch, flex spark plug sockets, tool for installing stretch belt on a/c compressor (think I saved that in case I want to try to take that belt off and reuse it even tho you're not supposed to do that). I consider the flex spark plug sockets to be Subaru tools because apparently people manage to replace the plugs on those engines without them but I don't know how they do it.

 

[crasher98]

addendum/in memorium:

13 mm and 13.5 mm pipe plug sockets for the rear differential drain and fill plugs on the 2005 WRX I used to have. I think both plugs were supposed to be 13 mm but one was torn up from people using 1/2" drive tools on it..

 

[Buckgnarly]

Wobble extensions of all kinds of lengths for the Subi plugs....the control arm bushing adaptor for the Snap On BJP1 is EXCELLENT!....