Aaargh... seized bleed nipple

[paradyne]

Had a major 100k service carried out on my LC, but garage not happy to replace brake fluid due to seized bleed nipple on front calipers.
I managed to get the N/S moving but struggling with the O/S. Have been applying WD40 specialist penetrant which certainly helped the other side unbind. Also tried applying some heat from a pencil blowtorch - defo got it warmed up some but not budging.
Oddly other side fitted an 11mm socket best, but this one took a 10mm and the nut does seem pretty soft so I'm worried it will either break or round out on me.

Anyone else tackled similar?

 

[iammooks]

Had a major 100k service carried out on my LC, but garage not happy to replace brake fluid due to seized bleed nipple on front calipers.
I managed to get the N/S moving but struggling with the O/S. Have been applying WD40 specialist penetrant which certainly helped the other side unbind. Also tried applying some heat from a pencil blowtorch - defo got it warmed up some but not budging.
Oddly other side fitted an 11mm socket best, but this one took a 10mm and the nut does seem pretty soft so I'm worried it will either break or round out on me.

Anyone else tackled similar?

It's a tricky one for sure - I've had two seized nipples and they were both on the nearside, which is probably where they're getting the most crud. The front one rounded off even using a proper flare spanner, so I hammered a smaller socket on, and that got it off with the extra leverage. The rear one though ended up stripping the threads and I had to get a new caliper. Easier when you've got an FR though, as they don't have Brembo calipers.

Whether they come free really is the luck of the draw - don't be pissed off if it strips - by that point there's rarely anything you can do to stop it from happening.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[paradyne]

Thanks Ian, soon as weather improves I will take another shot at it - this time applying more heat as that's definitely a popular technique for helping to free them up.
It does surprise me how soft the material is they are made from though!

 

[MK R BOY]

Hi Paradyne

I've been lucky that I haven't had one strip on me yet. One of the things you could maybe try is actually to have two new calipers and replace those at the same time.

I know that may sound stupid and expensive but I did a big rear brake rebuild last year and used P.D.D calipers LTD who sent out two painted refurb ones, once I sent the others back I think they were like £100 total, the company were brilliant and the calipers are going strong, mine didn't strip at the time but if they had it wouldn't of slowed me down.

I'm not sure what the fronts would cost or how long you are planning to keep the car for so may not be viable for you, I would also look at replacing the front brake line pipes if the calipers are coming off, not much from SEAT and its another tick.

good luck.

 

[paradyne]

Hi MK R Boy, thanks for the recommendation of PDD - I saw them on eBay and made a note as one possible avenue when replacing. Good to know they're decent