Help - my nipples have gone round! ;)

[sjmtlewy]

okay people, I need your best tactics. I've got a rounded bleed nipple on one of my front callipers. Its the only one that wouldnt come off, it just rounded like butter as soon as I turned.

I've ordered a new one.. how do I get the old one off? If it were a normal bolt i'd go for rost-off + hit with mallet + mole grips.

[T'Onion]

very good pair of small stilsons , and pray , worked for me on the clutch nipple a few years ago in deepest france

[colinthefox]

I sympathise. At least they're not inverted.

You could try Axminster tool co. 810354 gripper socket. http://www.axminster.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Colin

[Red Westie]

Standard sized (9 inch I think, I can never remember) Irwin curved jaw Vise-Grips....don't be tempted by anything else, best money you will ever spend.

like these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Irwin-Vise-Gr ... 3efe1b1ebd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[further]

Yes thats it, vice grips are the best, ajust them till they are nice and tight on the nipple and one gentle turn and
its loose. Put some penetrating oil or brake fluid on the thread before you do it, cause it can snap off. So softlly
softly does it.

[CovKid]

Must admit, I always start nipples with mole grips before reaching for a 7mm ring spanner. Plenty of plusgas two days in advance too.

[sjmtlewy]

Mole grips, penetrating oil... got it. Maybe a few days till I can try it though.

Is gentle steady pressure best, or intervals of sudden pressure? I've read a lot that the impact helps to overcome the torque.

[Red Westie]

Mole Grips like 'Hoover' is a brand...like I say..Vise-Grips. Mole grips are pants in comparison.

If you want the name of the tool then, self locking pliers. or vacuum cleaner.

Martin

[toomanytoys]

Another tip is never use an open end spanner, 12 point socket/ring spanner on a dodgy looking bleed nipple.. use a quality 6 point so all the drive is going on the max wall area.. plenty of soaking with easing oil too..

[aaron]

prefer my grips (water pump pliers) personally, crescent's are best in my book, made in usa, tend to do less damage than mole grips. a nice fitting ring spanner is best before its rung off though