Opinions Invited: Siezed Bleed Nipple

[ihpj]

Well thought I'd enlist Howard's help to do a brake fluid change on the truck; sadly all 4 bleed nipples are rusted solid and won't budge. We tried lubrication and specialist anti-seize liquids and a variety of handtools to try and get one of these 4 to co-operate but to no avail

The way I see it, my options are as follows:

1. Buy a full set of new remanufactured calipers
2. Buy a full set of known good secondhand calipers with free nipples.
3. Park up my truck, remove my calipers and send them of to a caliper remanufacturing company (like Bigg Red).
4. Take truck to my trusted local mechanic and see if he cannot persuade the nipples to co-operate.


Costs for each as follows:

1. USAutomotive (local to me in Bedford) have two spanking new Raybestos Pro Grade calipers in stock and immidiate availability for £60 ea. - fronts would need to be special ordered from the USA at ££££. RockAuto sell the same calipers for around half the price USAuto want but then there is shipping costs which doubles when international shipping is added (thus USAuto become quite competitive).
2. I'm guessing any known good secondhand calipers will also have siezed nipples which means that I'm back to square one as I have to release the nipples. Costwise I'm guessing £25 ea. and then cost to get the nipples out?
3. Bigg Red will change £270'ish for a full refurb on my calipers with 'standard' finish and it can take a turn around time of about 5 days. Their only concern is not having the pistons in ready stock or available.
4. ask my mechanic to have a go...and see what happens. Give him allowance of just 1 labour hour to get all 4 loose/cracked and hope it doesn't go horribly wrong.

I have always had the intention of replacing my calipers and hoses - had hoped to get Raybestos Pro Grade stuff when in the USA - or refurb'd here in the UK, but now with money very tight every penny counts. I'm not sure what to do...any thoughts or opinions guys?

 

[onetime]

Had the same problem take off all 4 calipers or one by one. Heat up the nipple with a torch (red hot) and remove buy new one from this link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bleed-Screws-Nipples-Imperial-3-8-unf-x-24-tpi-4-pack-/251146512607?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a797fa8df

I can not check if they are the right one as they are privately listed on ebay so cannot do i direct link but i did research them first do a serch and include the usa site to find the right size then order. alot cheaper than new or rebuild.

a good garage should do this for you if you get the parts its only about 1/2 an hour a corner plus bleeding of course.

hope this helps
onetime

 

[janolsson]

I would say buy some new nipples then as onetime says use some heat. Once hot use a 6 sided socket and try to tighten slightly first then undo. If you snap one then its no big deal to take the caliper off and drill out. You could even get a left handed drill bit so once you have a pilot hole you could use that and it may pull the nipple loose in the thread. Don't try to use one of those small easy out things as the small ones can snap easily and are next to impossible to drill out.

Oh and give biggred a call and they will be able to supply the correct nipples for about £1.50 each.

 

[koda2000]

Have you tried giving the bleeder screw a good sharp wack with a hammer? Hit it hard as you'll want to replace it with a new one so doesn't matter if it gets deformed. heat might work, but it might also melt your seals. if all else fails, remans are not that expensive in the U.S. (fronts around $40 and rears around $36) i don't know about prices in the U.K. I'd probably go with the remans as I think new ones would be a waste of money. After all, it's just a lump of steel with a piston and seal inside so easy to rebuild.

 

[chrisquelch]

s/h front calipers

hi i have 2 good front ones with loose niples. have sent pm.
cheers chris

 

[ihpj]

The nipples are defo. rusted solid. Have spoken to Howard and decided to let my mechanic have a go with heat - failing which I'll have front calipers from ChrisQ and change what fluid I can. This will be better than where I am currently and reckon I could make it to US trip in Summer 2013.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[onetime]

dont know how your diy skills are but its only couple of bolts plus the flex pipe to remove the calipers you could then heat them up on a gas ring in the kitchen if you want to be really heathrobinson and save some cash, other than that clamp them and get a plumbers touch for about £10 and DIY. it will be sods law that you will get 3 off and one will be stuck with no hope but at least you wont be paying out for labour and you can just replace that one. good luck

 

[ihpj]

Just back from my mechanic fellow, and the nipples are rusted solid (even with the application of heat). So the plan is now to just change the front calipers (thanks ChrisQ) and bleed what I can. That'll see me right until Summer 2013 when I hope to be off to the USA and I will buy all the bits I need to renew my braking system.

Thanks for the input guys, but looks like I've been scuppered by the dreaded rust :0/

 

[Blee1099]

Another option is to get a set of brake bleeder screw repair kits.. You drill thru the existing bleeder and tap it for a new one.

 

[ihpj]

Another option is to get a set of brake bleeder screw repair kits.. You drill thru the existing bleeder and tap it for a new one.

That's good advice, but it just seems a lot of work for not much gain given that I want to replace my entire brake hardware by Summer 2013.

 

[fcat]

That's good advice, but it just seems a lot of work for not much gain given that I want to replace my entire brake hardware by Summer 2013.

Theres really no need to get new calipers from the USA, i bought a pair of Chris on here, stripped them down and had them powder coated for £50. I then ordered new seals from the US and bleed nipples on ebay and rebuilt them to as good as new. Whole thing didnt cost me more than £80.

Im in the US for 3 weeks next week, if you want me to pick up some seals and hoses and bring them back for you its no problem, i can mail them when i get home.

See my thread here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275875

and here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288664

 

[ihpj]

I saw your threads fcat, some great work there!

I figure I can buy Raybestos ProGrade calipers for $30 USD ea. from RockAuto, with flexi hoses and bolts for a few $ then that'll renew my braking system entirely and easily (and that's before any 5-7% discount codes). I did consider refurb (like using Bigg Red) but the costs are far too much than it would cost me to buy new, hence why I thought of this interim fix.

I genuinely appreciate your offer to grab a few things and bring them back - wish I had the money as I'd love to take you up on the offer!

 

[fcat]

I saw your threads fcat, some great work there!

I figure I can buy Raybestos ProGrade calipers for $30 USD ea. from RockAuto, with flexi hoses and bolts for a few $ then that'll renew my braking system entirely and easily (and that's before any 5-7% discount codes). I did consider refurb (like using Bigg Red) but the costs are far too much than it would cost me to buy new, hence why I thought of this interim fix.

I genuinely appreciate your offer to grab a few things and bring them back - wish I had the money as I'd love to take you up on the offer!

No problem at all, just be aware that a lot of the Calipers from Rockauto (and many other place) require you to send them your old ones, or they charge a "core" price, it can work out twice the cost to take them with you and mail them!

cheers

 

[ihpj]

Money sent ChrisQ, thanks for coming to the rescue

 

[ihpj]

Just wanted to give a nod to ChrisQ for the calipers - which have just been delivered. As ever very well packaged and good clean items. Best of all, the bleed nipples aren't rusted (can undo them with my finger and thumb!) - well happy!

Now need to get round to fitting them next week sometime

 

[janolsson]

Just wanted to give a nod to ChrisQ for the calipers - which have just been delivered. As ever very well packaged and good clean items. Best of all, the bleed nipples aren't rusted (can undo them with my finger and thumb!) - well happy!

Now need to get round to fitting them next week sometime

Don't forget the threadloc on the bolts as you know what happens otherwise

 

[fcat]

WOW thats so strange, the second i read the above it broke my dream! i had a dream last night that i checked my bolts and they were all loose and hanging out,lol

 

[ihpj]

Well a big thank you to Howard for helping me with this job. Replacement calipers all fitted and (front only) brakes bled successfully. Needless to say the truck feels and brakes much better - I've got no choice but to leave the rears for now.

Truck will be fine until Summer 2013 though when it's US trip time!