Stripped bleeder valves. Help?

[jbserra]

You think a simple thing should be simple...

After replacing my e-brake cable, and in turn my right rear caliper, and then having to bleed the whole system, I found that my bleeder valves are completely frozen, and now completely mangled. Any ideas for getting them out to be replaced? Is drilling them out a bad idea because of crap I'll get inside the caliper? Do I have to rebuild the whole caliper? Buy new ones? Ugh, all for what I thought was a $50 e-brake cable replacement.

Thanks.

 

[SHONUT91]

Use some PB Blaster and a good pair of vise-grips to get them out and replace them with new ones. You could also use a propane torch(but not my choice)to heat them up a little to ease in their removal.

<small>[ October 21, 2003, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: SHONUT91 ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

You do not need to bleed the brake calipers just to replace the pads and rotors. You only need to bleed the system if you need to bleed the system.

 

[jbserra]

No, you missed the part that I had to replace the rear right caliper in the process...

 

[stevetatro]

I tried absolutely everything on my front bleeders. They were not budging!

I tried PB Blaster. Soaked them, waited a day, soaked them again, waited a day, soaked them one more time, waited a day. Still wouldn't budge. Ended up shearing off a bleeder.

The other side was even better. Tried to use heat, and that didn't help either. Although when hot the bleeder was easier to shear off than the other side!

Ended up just replacing the calipers. I originally bought the ones at AutoZone, but when I got home and inspected them I realized they aren't OEM rebuilds, rather they're aftermarket casts. Not a huge deal, but my new Speedbleeders wouldn't fit! Apparently these casts are pretty good, but they use a different thread bleeder.

Anyway, if you have to replace them I would look for a Cardone REMANUFACTURED. I've had to replace calipers on other cars and have always had good luck with these.

Good luck!

 

[jbserra]

stevetatro:
I tried absolutely everything on my front bleeders. They were not budging!

I tried PB Blaster. Soaked them, waited a day, soaked them again, waited a day, soaked them one more time, waited a day. Still wouldn't budge. Ended up shearing off a bleeder.

The other side was even better. Tried to use heat, and that didn't help either. Although when hot the bleeder was easier to shear off than the other side!

Ended up just replacing the calipers. I originally bought the ones at AutoZone, but when I got home and inspected them I realized they aren't OEM rebuilds, rather they're aftermarket casts. Not a huge deal, but my new Speedbleeders wouldn't fit! Apparently these casts are pretty good, but they use a different thread bleeder.

Anyway, if you have to replace them I would look for a Cardone REMANUFACTURED. I've had to replace calipers on other cars and have always had good luck with these.

Good luck!

Yeah, by the time I'm done I will have replaced 3 calipers just to replace my e-brake. I guess I have to look at it as I would've needed to bleed my brakes at some point...

Thank you for the tips.

 

[rangerj]

jbserra,

Have you ever heard of an easy out? If you snapped off the head of the bleeder you can insert an easy out into the remainder of the bleeder and POSSIBLY get the piece out.

As an alternative you could use the old bleeder as a guide to drill out the center of the bleeder and then carefully re-tap the threads of the caliper for a new bleeder.

Either of the above will work, most of the time, if you are patient and careful.

The other alternative is to get new (rebuilt) calipers. rangerj

 

[jbserra]

I wish I would've checked on prices for those front calipers first. I did drill one side out, and was ready to tap it, but I dulled all the bits I would need for the other side, and I had to go buy the tap. Well, figuring my time was worth something, I pulled off the calipers and went to Advanced. Expecting another $60 each, I was VERY surprised to find out front calipers were only $20! Yes, my time and drill bit set was definitely worth $40, so I made the swap and headed home with rebuilt calipers. I noticed that one had a rethread in it, so obviously they also drill out stuck bleeders, but they probably could do better then I ever could.

Long story short, 3 new calipers, and an e-brake cable later, I have an e-brake! Still cheaper then the $250 that a shop wanted, plus they probably would've had the same problem with the calipers, so it would've been a quick jump to a $500 job.

Thanks all! I'm going to keep my eye out for those "easy outs" and look into getting a tap set to save from future headaches.

 

[BeatDaSHO]

Who needs brakes?

Greg

 

[rangerj]

jbserra,

For future referrence;

Set of easy-out (also referred to as "extractors") from Sears about $20,

Broken bolt extractor tools from Sears about $40, includes reverse drill bits and extractors (works very well and is worth the money IMHO,

Apply anti-sieze to the threads of the bleeders,

coat the exposed part of the bleeder with grease,

put a piece of hose over the exposed bleeder and cap the end of the hose with silicone caulking (gasket maker) - keeps the bleeder clean and rust free. rangerj

 

[DigDeez]

Yeah, those bleeder thingy's are a *****. I haven't been able to remove any of the two front ones...even after heating them with a torch. Just said f'em, for right now...............