So tonight I ran into the strangest brake bleeder screw problem...

[Thomas Pyrek]

No I didn't strip the caliper threads or have the bleeder screw break off...

This only happened with the rear, not the front. The bleeder rusted up internally so that nothing could get through it. none of the screws were stuck in the calipers and all came out with relative ease and without breaking though.

It got too dark to see very well, so I'll give a better update later.

 

[Flimflam]

Originally posted by Thomas Pyrek:
[QB] No I didn't strip the caliper threads or have the bleeder screw break off...

The bleeder rusted up internally so that nothing could get through it. [QB]

Thomas, I had it happen, yes, but not with brake bleeder. I had it happen with my clutch fluid bleeder. Not fun!

 

[JTK]

It always seems the bleeders go to heck once you loose those nice little rubber caps/covers

. I try to put a glob of silicone grease over an exposed bleeder when I do a tire rotation. It keeps them in fairly good shape. Anyone happen to know if you can get replacement bleeder caps/covers?
Thanks
Joel

 

[seotaji]

you can, at least i know that honda sells them.

 

[labman]

I suspect the 3 years I worked in the brake shop, I saw more neglected brake components than many of you have. Plugged bleed screws weren't that uncommon or any big problem. Simply running about an 1/8'' drill bit into them followed by a shop air blast usually solved the problem. It is easy to tell when the bit hits the original bottom and quit.

And oh yes, many problems are easier to deal with the next morning.

 

[ZR2RANDO]

When the rubber caps go the way of ye old dinosaur...just take a short piece of tubing and plug one end with form-a-gasket (or similar stuff, you get the idea) and push the other end over the bleeder and leave it there. If it is just a short section it will stay there long enough...

 

[Thomas Pyrek]

Yes, they sell the bleeders and caps at pretty much any auto parts stores.

When I woke up I went out and got two new bleeders and replaced them. Then I looked at the old bleeders. Either these are rusted out ball check valve bleeders, or they are something else that is even more messed up. There is no hole on the bottom of the bleeder screw for fluid to escape.


Brakes work great now!