I really hate rust, but combine that with a gorilla mechanic, I am ready for a hand grenade!

Simple job: replace rotors and pads in the front. No big deal. Until the caliper brackets do not budge. I have an electric impact gun and a 15mm 6 point socket. I even have a 5/8 pry bar. The impact gun is too large to fit in the wheel well. A 16oz hammer on the pry bar doesn't do anything. PB Blaster doesn't do much. I even tried a little heat (careful of the axle boot and bump stop on the control arm).

Am I forced to crawl to the local garage with my tail between my legs? They will probably use a small grip air pressure impact gun and have it off in 2 minutes.

Of course, my luck would have the rotor frozen to the hub!!!

The mechanic suggested replacing the control arms last year. I suppose I could have him install a pair of Lemforders, and let him do me a favor of loosening the 15mm bolts???

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Keeping it running is better than buying new

I've been tempted to by an induction heater for making nuts glow RED , although they are $450 plus $80 for extra variously sized coils. I've seen some by brand induction innovations. It seems like I will need one someday. A torch seems out of reach for a home person as the companies selling gas seem to ignore home owners and it doesn't seem like you can buy your own acetylene tanks and keep them forever. I also figure if there is a problem and something catches on fire my homeowner's policy would say such tanks are illegal and i'd have to eat $500,000 fire loss myself.

With all the plastic in new cars I'll probably end up buying an induction heater some day. Anybody bite the bullet before me.

I limit rust by not driving my 850 in the rain or snow. I'm retired though, and don't have a very exciting life.

Now that the Chinese are making them (quality control costs extra), cost has gone down:

https://www.amazon.com/Solary-Magnetic-Induction-Automotive-
Flameless/dp/B0851C6Q22/ref=asc_df_B0851C6Q22/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416709561491&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2195137644664559915&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019596&hvtargid=pla-898069353504&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=97957279110&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416709561491&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2195137644664559915&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019596&hvtargid=pla-898069353504

No need to get the bolts red hot! Just hot.

There also are smaller butane torches:

https://www.harborfreight.com/butane-micro-torch-63170.html?cid=paid_google%7C%7C%7C63170&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4L2BBhCvARIsAO0SBdZr5YXMjzAubWgWkddyQpRy9TsifbD0lTrE4069JuAEX4nevm2TkRkaAmHBEALw_wcB
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Have the mechanic do the work.

No need to put your tail between your legs.

Sometimes the lighter wallet is worth it when the other option involves your physical pain and mental anguish. And time. Especially time.

Stay safe and be well,
Will
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XC60 / Odyssey

Time is not a problem. At 220lbs, strength is not a problem. Mental state is a problem.

This car came without working rear brakes, enough red loctite to keep the front brake pads from moving, and more under car rust than a 1950's car that has been in the junk pile for 60 years. Except where the oil ran down the sides of the block.

My guess is that the PO poured loctite on the bracket bolts, rather than the small dab that the factory puts on.

I have done the brakes on every car I have owned. With this one, it felt like I was about to lift the car off the jack stand!
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

For red Loctite, heat is the answer.

Oh, the feeling of dread knowing that rusted and over-tightened fasteners await. Lovely. How odd that the PO was so keen on using the red stuff. Perhaps they had a bad experience with a loose/lost screw at some point.

I was taught and conditioned to add a dab of good ol' Permatex Anti-Seize to any just about any threaded connection - and will continue to do so until a wheel falls off!
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XC60 / Odyssey

I tried using an 8lb sledge, nothing happened. So, I grabbed my 3/8” bar, slipped a 1.5ID plastic pipe over the handle and, SNAP! I looked at the pipe, saw no cracks. I looked at the 15mm socket, no cracks. So I tried again. SNAP! The bolt MOVED! I had to do this 4 times before the bolt would actually turn 1/4. Then I tried the top bolt. SNAP, SNAP, turn.

Now that both moved, it was all simple. The passenger side bolts came right off. I now have nice feeling brakes. No more pulling, no more shutter - happy.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Great that you got the job done!!

The mechanic suggested replacing the control arms last year. I suppose I could have him install a pair of Lemforders, and let him do me a favor of loosening the 15mm bolts???

I'll take this idea, save some muscle time.

Yes, sounds like a reasonable deal.
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....