Hi: I am doing the front brakes on my 1986 244DL and the bolts holding the calipers are very well set. I finally got them off (2 per caliper) with a 19mm impact socket and breaker bar. The room to move around the wheel well and calipers is very limited and it took me quite a bit of trying, patience, and spraying bolts with various anti-seize aerosol products and waiting. Probably 2-3 hours of spraying, waiting for penetration, trying to loosen, respraying and retrying.

I have a 1/2" air impact wrench, but the clearance around the caliper bolts is too small to allow the wrench. I would like to know if others have had success with air ratchet wrenches, and if so, what you might recommend for wrench specs (I believe the front caliper bolts are tightened at spec to 75 ft-lb.), and if you use the air ratchet with impact sockets or regular sockets for this kind of bolt removal.

Also, I would like to know why it is recommended that the caliper bolts be replaced when removed and not reused. My bolts had red thread lock on them. Is this also recommended for reinstallation?

Many thanks for your thoughts and expertise.