How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

dave friday
Registered user
Posts: 804
Joined: 15 Oct 2006, 11:19
80-90 Mem No: 5533
Location: rambler de oria, near albox,almeria,spain

How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by dave friday »

Any tips? I've tried small mole grips,when they break,do they leak?
Ta.
Ps,I've read the wiki.
I dont think, so I'm not[do I exist?]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]

MGP
Registered user
Posts: 380
Joined: 11 Sep 2014, 21:50
80-90 Mem No: 13910
Location: Dunmow

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by MGP »

Heat the calliper around the bleed nipple, get it as hot as you can, it will take a while I usually heat it for about 5-10 mins with a decent blow torch, when its as hot as you can get it rapidly cool the bleed nipple, I use a soaking wet rag but you can use freeze spray , unless someone has stretched the threads by over tightening it, it should come undone easily.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
'89 1.9td AAZ engine
http://www.dubsonthefritz.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

dave friday
Registered user
Posts: 804
Joined: 15 Oct 2006, 11:19
80-90 Mem No: 5533
Location: rambler de oria, near albox,almeria,spain

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by dave friday »

Ta,will give it a go!
I dont think, so I'm not[do I exist?]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]

User avatar
tyneside-t25
Registered user
Posts: 117
Joined: 07 Jan 2016, 20:33
80-90 Mem No: 15074
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by tyneside-t25 »

MGP wrote:Heat the calliper around the bleed nipple, get it as hot as you can, it will take a while I usually heat it for about 5-10 mins with a decent blow torch, when its as hot as you can get it rapidly cool the bleed nipple, I use a soaking wet rag but you can use freeze spray , unless someone has stretched the threads by over tightening it, it should come undone easily.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Surely that'll melt all the seals in the caliper,I'd try penetrating oil first.
1985 hi-top 1.6d.

shepster
Registered user
Posts: 1729
Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 11:14
80-90 Mem No: 1342
Location: Wolverhampton.

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by shepster »

Take the calliper off and grip the nipple in the vice, along with penetrating fluid should have it out.
2.1 DJ running on carb and LPG.

dave friday
Registered user
Posts: 804
Joined: 15 Oct 2006, 11:19
80-90 Mem No: 5533
Location: rambler de oria, near albox,almeria,spain

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by dave friday »

All,thanks for the advice,Shepster I don't think I can get the nipple in the vice, calliper bits in the way,my daughter bought some super duper Molies to undo the bleed nipples on her car,we will hunt them out!
I dont think, so I'm not[do I exist?]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]

NicBeeee
Registered user
Posts: 633
Joined: 12 Aug 2010, 06:57
80-90 Mem No: 8608
Location: Fairly close to Hinckley

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by NicBeeee »

If there is enough meat left on the nipple try filling a couple of flats on it to gain a purchase,

Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk
“A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree.” ― Spike Milligan

1988 1.9 DG

User avatar
bigbadbob76
Registered user
Posts: 1733
Joined: 07 Nov 2016, 14:41
80-90 Mem No: 15707
Location: Isle of Skye

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by bigbadbob76 »

Give your nipple a good smack with a hammer first, then get the mole grips on it.
I always smack mine with a hammer even if they're not rounded as it shocks them free and saves you rounding them.
Too late for you but it might stop the nipple shearing off flush with the caliper, if that happens you're screwed.
It won't leak if you shear it but drilling it out will be a nightmare.
Don't use an easyout on it either, chances are you'll shear the easyout and then you can't drill the nipple.
I know, I've been there, it's not a nice place to be.
'86 1.9 DG, 4 spd, tintop, camper conversion.
Split case club member.

dave friday
Registered user
Posts: 804
Joined: 15 Oct 2006, 11:19
80-90 Mem No: 5533
Location: rambler de oria, near albox,almeria,spain

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by dave friday »

Evening all,I used some nail pliers to grip the nipple( ouch!)and twisted it off flush with the calliper!!
In a funny way it's helped as the calliper is a bit sticky ( sometimes pulling to the right).
Bob, I once used an " Ezeyout" to get a head bolt out on an Austin 7 ,it broke of course! it took me days to drill it out ( hand drill!).
The van is still useable so I can take my time getting a calliper.
I dont think, so I'm not[do I exist?]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8411
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by CovKid »

After many many years at this, I always start with molegrips and give a light tap with the hammer once gripped, to shift the nipple before the 7mm spanner even comes out of the toolbox. Always worked for me. I have early calipers on mine and there are two nipples. One is sheared (not by me) so I just bleed via the remaining one. Its also possible to bleed via an undone flexi hose (if you're quick and time it right).
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7494
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

I shudder whenever I hear people say that they use an ordinary spanner on them - use a box spanner with a decent rod that allows you to get a hand on each side, push and pull, then you aren't wringing the thing off with a lopsided force.
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

colinthefox
Registered user
Posts: 895
Joined: 20 Oct 2009, 18:42
80-90 Mem No: 16447
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by colinthefox »

Prevention being better than cure, I wrap bleed nipples with a couple of turns of plumbers PTFE tape so they don't seize.
1.9D (AEF) pop-top. Aaaaahhhhh........that's better.
Image

dave friday
Registered user
Posts: 804
Joined: 15 Oct 2006, 11:19
80-90 Mem No: 5533
Location: rambler de oria, near albox,almeria,spain

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by dave friday »

The vans an ex water board one...the right hand side is much more corroded than the left,I can't read the makers name on the right hand calliper, Girling is clear on the left.
I did try box spanner ,hammer and freezer spray.
The hammer is the first tool used here,if that doesn't work a bigger one does!!
The left brake drag is 2.5 ftlb the right is 9 ftlb!
Comments please.
I dont think, so I'm not[do I exist?]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7494
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Right drag?
Image
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

dave friday
Registered user
Posts: 804
Joined: 15 Oct 2006, 11:19
80-90 Mem No: 5533
Location: rambler de oria, near albox,almeria,spain

Re: How to remove a rounded off brake calliper bleed nipple

Post by dave friday »

It's just a jump to the left.
I dont think, so I'm not[do I exist?]
1992 1600td [ jx ] syncro panel van[leisuredrive camper ]

Post Reply