Stripped bleeder...grrrrrr

[ga.spyder]

I took advantage of a little break in the weather to pull the wheels on the 77 'project' car.Not so much a project anymore ,in that it only lacks paint from being a nice little car.I have been having some brake issues,mainly pedal going soft,and losing fluid.I found 2 issues.
First,the pass. rear bleder is frozen solid to the caliper.It has no nut...it has been rounded by a p/o.Nothing to grab except with vice grips,and I cant budge the sucker.It is TIGHT!! Any tips or hints on getting it loose?I really need to remove and replace the bleeder.I am afraid I am going to break it off,and I really cant afford a new caliper right now.
Second,the soft pedal and fluid loss is caused by a leaking front bleeder It is mangled like the rear and fluid is coming out of the bleeder ,even when it is tight! I removed it and some spring came out with it.What the Hell?? Anyway,I have 2 new front calipers from O'reillys($35 ea.) on the way.Really need some advise with the rears.Thanks for any feedback,
Craig

[NebraskaSpider]

I had a similar problem because the PO didn't think it was necessary to put on the plastic bleeder cover. The bleeders were rusted on and in an attempt to get them of I twisted it flat off. I then tried to use a bit designed for reversing it out to no prevail. Needless to say I am in the process of buying used calipers. Good luck with your bleeders, hope they dont twist off for you.

[4babycar]

Good luck! Those bleeder screws can be a PITA. First, soak them liberally in PB blaster for several days and hope they loosen up. If you break it off, you can try and EZ-out (reverse thread bolt extractor). I had success with one out of the three times I have tried it on a caliper. The other 2 times the EZ-out broke. They can be drilled out very carefully by starting out small and gradually stepping up. You want to be perfectly centered and parallel so a drill press is ideal. Once you get to a small portion of the threads left you can use a dental pick to remove the screw threads and extract them. If you go too deep and damage the seat in the bottom of the hole it can be re-established with a drill bit ground to a 90 degree point. I believe the size is a 17/64.

This is the procedure that a machinist that I work with performed on my calipers after I broke off the bleeders. The whole process would have gone a lot faster had I not broken off the EZ-out since they are a hardened material.

[ventura ace]

Craig,
The spring may have been part of a 'speed bleeder', I think they're called. It's a bleeder with a built in spring-loaded check valve. Are you sure that you got all of the bleeder out? Maybe half of it is still in the hole.

It sounds like the rear one is probably going to break off, probably has corrosion in the threads. You can try to jar the corrosion loose by whacking it on the end with a hammer and trying to soak the threads with PB Blaster. When you try to remove it with vice grips, you may want to try to slightly tighten it first, then loosen it. You can try to heat the surrounding caliper with a propane torch. Chances are that none of that will work and it will break off, and attempts to back it out with an easy-out will be futile, also. My guess is that you'll need to carefully try to drill it out with a drill press, keeping the drill as centered on the broken bleeder as possible. When you've drilled it large enough, you may be able to pick the remaining threaded pieces out and put a new bleeder back in of the same size. This describes what I just had to do recently for one that I've got. I hope you're attempts work out a little better than mine.

Alvon

[ga.spyder]

Thanks for the advice,guys.I have been soaking the rear bleeder with some PB,but I agree that it doesnt look good to get it out intact.I will work on it this weekend,as the new front calipers will be in tomorrow.The rears are so much more money,that I am definitely going to try and save them.I could get awawy with buying one(pref. used) as the other is fine.
Alvon,you may be right about a speed bleeder.I couldnt believe when that spring came popping out.I dont know if all of it is out for sure.I already opted for the new ones on the front,so I left it alone.
Craig

[narfire]

Craig, you handy with a welder? I think the 4 fiats I've taken the brakes apart on, I had more broken bleeders than came undone first try. I don't/can't weld, but I tell you the weld a nut onto the broken stem, even if it is somewhat broken inside, worked like a hot dam. Place a say 10mm nut over the hole and fill with the weld material to the top. Wait a few seconds and put your wrench on the nut and the whole lot should come out.To be honest a couple did take a couple of trys. I have a couple of calipers at my buds shop and I should take a few pics and post.
Good price on the re builts or new by the way.

[coopertl]

If one does end up twisting the bleeder off, i've used the item in the included link to effect a satisfactory repair. terry

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/produc ... RecID=5210

[4babycar]

Oops, the drill diameter should have been 17/64 with a 90 degree tip. (Previous post edited)

[kilrwail]

Craig - I went through exactly the same thing last year - ended up with rebuilt front callipers from NAPA for similar money. For the rears, I took them off, mounted them in the vise and applied lots of penetrating oil, heat and patience. It all paid off and the bleeders screwed out perfectly. I couldn't have done it on the car - too hard on the knees! Get some good beer too.

[ga.spyder]

I got the rear bleeder out I spoke w/ a local guy ,who suggested heating the bleeder then dousing it with ice water.He told me to do 2 or 3 cycles,and it would come out.Did 2 cycles and it turned out very easily.Didnt even have time for a beer!
The 'spring' that came out behind the bleeder in the front,was a heli-coil of some sort.The hole in that caliper is twice the size of the other.The stock bleeder wont even thread into it,just falls in.Anyway,I am going to replace the rear bleeders and also the front calipers.Thanks for all the suggestions!! You guys rock.
Craig
ps..coopertl,those kits from Pegasus look like a great fix for snapped bleeders

[kilrwail]

Have a beer anyway, to celebrate

[pope]

Well...its better than having a... Bleeding Stripper!

[ga.spyder]

Pope...I am glad you are around Not to change the subject,but are you going to make it to FFO? Craig

[kristoj]

I would definitely celebrate with the beer. That could have gone a lot worse than it did!

[pope]

Unfortunately, probably not this year, Craig. I think Bouse and I will be tight on time trying to get the cars on the road.