Bleed nipple sheared off...

V

V8P6B

Member
Hi all, I've just started stripping down the front brakes, and removed the front caliper, all was well until I tried to undo the bleed nipple, it broke off very easily, I hardly put any pressure on the spanner, cos I was half expecting it to break if I gave it a lot of grief, but it was like it was made of plasticine. I'm awaiting delivery of a set of Easy-outs in the post, but any other advice would be appreciated... :?:
 
Any other advise?...............................Don't use "easi-outs", if the nipple was so tight that it snapped, then the same thing will happen with the easiout, and then you'll be left trying to drill that out, which will be far more difficult than drilling the nipple out in the first place, because the tool is hardened.
 
Cheers for that. I'm going to be very careful (as I was to start with, but like I said, I put next to no pressure on the spanner, it just broke really easily) I know about easy-outs, I've had dealings with them in the past, and if it doesn't come out ok, I won't be breakng the easy out. But what about a little bit of heat on the area where the broken bleed nipple is, on the theory that dissimilar metals expand at different rates? I'm kinda stuck now. What do you suggest? Drilling it out carefully, with ever increasing drill sizes? I don't really want to damage the thread in the casting if I can help it.. :?:
 
I'd certainly get a fine-flame blowlamp on it and give it quite a few heat/cool cycles as well as a liberal dousing with proper penetrating oil, such as Plus Gas. Don't bother with WD40 for this. This should break, or at the very least, weaken the rust seal. Might then be worth trying to unscrew the remains using a pointed punch and light hammer blows...often works. Or very gingerish use of the Easy-Out!

Failing that, then drilling it out is probably the best bet but obviously you need to line up centrally..not easy I know.

Good luck!
 
I have seen a penetrating oil which also freezes the area it hits, meaning that you warm up the whole area, then apply this liquid which should not only lubricate it but shrink the innner piece. allowing for easier removal.

I haven't tried it yet as I haven't had the need and can't remember where I saw it - might be Halfords. :)
 
I kinda tried something along those lines, I heated up the area with a blowtorch, then used a cottonbud soaked in ice water on the bleed nipple to rapidly cool it hoping the shock would free it, but unfortunately I've spent all morning on it, very carefully trying to shift it, (without resorting to easy outs). I've tried using a hacksaw blade to cut a slot in the end to get a big screwdriver in, I've used a hammer and fine chisel to try and turn it, all to no avail. It is really corroded in there tight. I did try an easy out eventually, as a completely last resort, and only because I figured I had nothing to lose, but drilled the hole as big as poss first, because I thought that the larger the easyout I used, the stronger it would be, and less likely to break, and I have to say that I did manage to get an awful lot of pressure on it, but it still wouldn't shift. I think I'll be looking at a refurbed caliper now, as what's left of the bleed nipple is just a chewed up mess, unfortunately, and also due to the fact that 2 of the 3 pistons are quite badly pitted, I reckon by the time I've paid for the service kit, new pins for the pads, new pistons, there probably wouldn't be much difference in cost anyway. :|
 
Cheers Guys, for all your help. I've had a look at Brakes International, from a link kindly supplied by Vaultsman, and am waiting for them to get back to me, (Calipers currently out of stock..) Their prices seem very good, and don't mention an exchange surcharge, the other option is JR wadhams, who have them for £75 +vat, + shipping, + exchange surcharge, (only paid if you don't send the old unit to them). The only thing I'm concerned about with Wadhams is how much its gonna cost to send 2 heavy old calipers in the post. If Brakes International can't supply, it may be worth taking a hit on the surcharge if the postage is gonna be silly money
 
Someone (Agriemach?) makes an oversize insert with nipple just for these circumstances. But there's little point if the bores and pistons are past repair
 
Right, I've managed to get hold of another caliper, this time intact, and now a pair of calipers will be heading to Bigg Redd to be overhauled. Their service seems quite competitive, when you consider a new piston is about £15 and you need 6 of them. They chemically strip and grit blast the casting, and fit new pistons, seals, and bleed nipples for less than £60 a caliper. They come back nicely painted too.. For an extra £40 they'll polymer coat them too, if that floats your boat. I'll report on what they're like when they come back... :)
 
pastparts is also a good firm doing that sort of work. prob similar on price. They did a great collection and delivery service, just £5 to pick up and drop off which is amazing.

Colin
 
Well, its been well over 2 weeks since I sent my brake calipers off to BiggRed, and despite a follow-up Email I sent asking about their turnaround time, and being promised them this week, I still haven't got them. :evil: I'm gonna need to move the car soon, but wanted to leave it on axle stands until they arrived, so I could just pop them on, bleed it all up, and stick the wheels back on, so it'd be mobile again. Not too happy with BiggRed at the moment...
 
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