Laser5037 Brake Caliper Guide Thread Repair Kit

This tool works extremely well, but read the following first as if you have an Astra G (1998-2004) there is a potential problem which can arise. It may affect other cars too.The box contains a hexagonal allen key for removing the brake caliper guides. This is unnecessary as you would not know the guide pin threads had stripped unless you had removed them already. There are ten cleverly designed thread inserts, a special double-diameter drill for enlarging the holes in your caliper bracket ('steering knuckle' on the Astra), a tap for clearing out the old thread (this too is unnecessary), and three drill guides (VW, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel).The inserts have a 3mm flange at one end - think of a top hat upside down. The process is very simple and the instructions quite clear: using the appropriate drill guide for your car drill the old threads out of the hole in the steering knuckle with the tip of the drill bit , then continue drilling so that the wider diameter enlarges the hole to accommodate the insert.The inserts are fitted so that the flange butts against the steering knuckle thus preventing the insert from being pulled out in use. They are an "interference" fit - in other words they have to be pressed in with a bench press. It is possible to tap them home with a hammer but make sure the knuckle is supported as if you break it you are looking at an expensive part to replace. If you must do the job in situ I recommend using a small vice or G-clamp to squeeze the insert home.The smaller of the pictures shows the insert fitted snugly into the body of the steering knuckle, with the caliper guide pin screwed home. Note the copper washer. Also note that the insert sits 4mm proud of the surface, this dimension comprising 1mm copper washer and 3mm insert flange..And this is where you can encounter a problem. If you drive an Astra G with the smaller engine (1.4, 1.6) and with drum brakes at the rear you will almost certainly find that when you fit new pads the inside brake pad will foul the thread repair insert and in the worst case can - and will - jam the brake on. This was certainly my experience and the car becomes undriveable as the disc heats up and glows cherry red!!The solution requires a simple modification to the fitting process. I used a workshop pillar drill and a 10 ton press for accuracy and control, but if you work carefully there are other ways of achieving the same thing.This is the fix: after using the special drill to enlarge the steering knuckle hole for the insert, use a 14mm HSS drill to enlarge the hole to take the full width and depth of the thread insert flange. This means drilling no more than 3mm below the surface. Press home the thread insert without using the copper washer. Now the thread repair insert is flush with the surface of the steering knuckle - see second picture.

Easy enough to use for the home mechanic and of excellent quality. Got me out of a real issue with my breaks. It may seem expensive for this set but it's so much cheaper and easier than taking the hub off so saved me half a day and around £200 in parts. I'd recommend trying this first if your thread has been stripped, do not be tempted to use a cheaper helicoil kit, they're not strong enough.

I got this for my 2008 mk5 golf, 1.9tdi with FS3 calipers on the front.Both caliper carrier holes wouldn't tighten at all as the thread had almost been completely stripped.Fairly simple to use, removed wheel, caliper and brake disc. Drilled the holes out using the bit provided in the kit, inserted the new threaded inserts, one went in very easy with the help of a G clamp the other was actually too loose but I was able to hold it and stop it falling out when screwing in the guide pin.I also used new guide pins when reassembling the caliper.The whole thing took me about 15 minutes.A lot easier and cheaper than replacing the caliper carrier!

Just to confirm despite the Laser Instructions supplied only mentioning it being suitable for a MK 4 Golf it definitely is the right tool for the MK 5 Golf (mine is a 1.9 Tdi). I had a stripped thread and much to my horror thought I would have to replace the whole suspension knuckle/bearing until I found this tool, since the thread for the pad slider is part of it. Would not recommend helicoiling as not enough meat. I was aware that what looks like the same tool is available on a famous auction site for around half the price but did not want to chance any issues with chocolate drill bits as any problems could have caused a nightmare.. This tool did the business but I used a bolt and washer to pull the insert through as I was worried using the slider pin might have stripped the thread on the insert..Job done for 60 quid plus tenner for new slider pin. Probably an 800 quid job at a VW dealer for new knuckle and fitment so this solution a bargain..By the way make sure the new sliders are well copper greased and on my VW the torque setting for them is only 22lbs which I guess is why people including me end up stripping them so easily!

If you have stripped out the thread for the caliper guide pins then this is a must have. I'd bet you would be looking at £500 to replace the whole hub carrier in a garage as it isn't really a job for a non-professional without the right tools and knowledge.The repair didn't take long and is pretty simple. You'll want to order some loctite at the same time though as well as some brake cleaning fluid.

Does exactly what it says on the tin! Used this kit on a VW Golf front calliper drilled out both slide pins and fitted the inserts, worked a dream, saved me a fortune!

Great piece of kit and good quality.

I have used this on a VW Mk V Golf.This tool is a must to repair stripped caliper carrier threads. The repair can be carried out easily in less than a half hour. It can be done with the carrier in situ which is especially important if the carrier is part of the hub.