Hi friends,

I'm trying to change the front brakes for my 97 Dakota, but I am stuck already at taking out the old caliper guide pins.

On each caliper, there are two guide pins. The problem is my 7mm hex key fits the bottom pin perfectly, but not the top one. It's the same for both driver and passenger side caliper.

The top ones just wouldn't take the 7mm hex. I can put a 6mm hex key into them, but there is a bit wiggle room. So what gives? Do 97 Dakota have two different caliper guide pines for each caliper?

I checked online websites for replacement parts, there don't seem to be any difference between top and bottom pins. What gives?

This is really puzzling, has anyone else had the same problem? Also some youtube videos say 7mm hex drive, others say T47 torx. I am sure mine are hexes. This is very confusing to me.

Any advices?

Thanks!

Here are the images ... are they Hex or Torx? I only have Hex keys, if they are Torx then I need to get more tools.

Bottom Pin:






Top Pin:

 

Welcome to the forum Tylan!

Have the brakes ever been changed before? Someone may have replaced the caliper pins - or worse. They might have stripped them and used an aftermarket replacement.

 

Iv seen them in a number of different heads it depends on the aftermarket company that makes them no big deal.

Just remember don't over tighten the pins as they strip out easy just snug them in place is all you need.

I think they call for only 12 LB torque that's not much.
As always I like to keep the same pins in their original corresponding hole were you pulled it out put it back.

All threads become unique to its corresponding hole/bolt.

 

Thanks for answering! I bought it 2nd hand and the previous owner has left the country so I've no idea. But the caliper has dodge logo on it so I believe it's the original parts. I took a few photos and I am uploading them now

 

Thanks for responding!

When I put the 6mm hex in the top pin, there is a little bit of wiggle room, maybe too much. So I am not sure which size of key I should use. Clearly 7mm couldn't go in and 5mm is too small, and 6mm doesn't seem to be an exact fit. It's puzzling.

 

Think USA?

Fractions/Decimals not mm you are using the wrong tool that's all

 

Thanks for responding.

I am looking for the right tool size but I haven't been able to find a definitive answer online yet. One youtube vid says 7mm, another says T47 socket drive, none said different tools for different pins.

 

I use a T47 from AutoZone works great for me

But its not a star a Hex

 

Sorry correction

It says its a H7 on the socket

I'm surprised it is a 7mm socket

LINK

 

Thanks!