Changing hoses and bleeding breaks

[burnzdog]

All pipes replaced, all looking good. Bled back two no problem, bit bleed valves on the front calipers are so rusted there is nothing left of the nut. Any ideas on how I might get this rusty thing out? Was all going so well....

[kevtherev]

Take the caliper off and drill it out with the appropriate drill bit.

[MGP]

Heat the area around the bleed niple with a blow torch and get it as hot as you can, normally takes about 5 mins of heating with a good blow torch. Once hot put a soaking wet rag on just the bleed niple being careful not to cool the caliper. As long as it wasn't tightened to the point of damaging the threads you will find it is little more than finger tight and easily removed with vice grips.

[burnzdog]

Great advice. Blow torch worked brilliantly in loosening up both front caliper nppiples. One to remember for sure. Thanks. Breaks bled and working fine.

Heat the area around the bleed niple with a blow torch and get it as hot as you can, normally takes about 5 mins of heating with a good blow torch. Once hot put a soaking wet rag on just the bleed niple being careful not to cool the caliper. As long as it wasn't tightened to the point of damaging the threads you will find it is little more than finger tight and easily removed with vice grips.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Instead of a wet rag you can use freezer spray as this gives a greater shock to the threads grip. Handy stuff.

[CovKid]

Tis possible to bleed via the flexi hose if you have to. Not ideal but if you have an MOT ahead it would get you through until better weather when you can tackle caliper bleed nipples properly. Have had to do this a few times over the years. Can sometimes mean the difference between having brakes and not.

[burnzdog]

Yes that was my next option, but like you said, not ideal. Blow torch worked a treat.

IMAG1080_1.jpg

Tis possible to bleed via the flexi hose if you have to. Not ideal but if you have an MOT ahead it would get you through until better weather when you can tackle caliper bleed nipples properly. Have had to do this a few times over the years. Can sometimes mean the difference between having brakes and not.

[GavB95]

Good to see that you've got it sorted mate.

I'd replace those bleed nipples soon before they rust back in again, I keep a few spare in the tool box just incase they round off.

[CovKid]

Best tip I can pass on with old bleed nipples is NEVER attempt to free them with a 7mm ring spanner. It will nearly always round them off. Use very tight mole grips first to shift them. Once its free you should be able to use a 7mm to tighten/untighten for bleeding although sometimes mole grips is the only solution.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I use a box spanner so you can use a bar to give an even pressure two ways - push and pull instead of a one sided force that usually ends up in wringing it off. It is a pity that there isn't a suitable rubber shroud that covers the whole nipple and fastens on to the calliper protecting the whole thing. I started to replace my plain steel ones with stainless ones to make it easier to undo them.

[lefty67]

Just a little aside on the flexi front brake hoses. If you intend to buy them from eurocarparts then make sure you measure them first. Their computer shows the longer ones (450mm ish) as being for abs systems!! Saves a wasted journey.

[CovKid]

Shrink tubing might do the job. Either that or just a thin coat of grease.

It is a pity that there isn't a suitable rubber shroud that covers the whole nipple and fastens on to the calliper protecting the whole thing.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I was thinking more that there was a lip on the calliper for a shroud to fit over so that it becomes totally enclosed. The little rubber hat to protect the hole is pointless if you can't undo the pesky thing.