I've sheared my nipple off

[Lippo]

Decided to bleed my brakes today. Bought an Eezibleed and 500ml dot4 fluid. Bled the rear brakes and went onto the front. The nearside was really stiff, so I scraped around it to free it up, still wouldn't budge.

I knew I shouldn't have, but I got my trusty torque wrench out and gave the nipple a little twist. It didn't like that and broke off.

I've tried to loosen it with molegrips but no luck - any ideas?

Can you buy a single brake caliper nipple from VAG and if so, does it come with a dust cap?

BTW, the brakes didn't feel much different after all that, and the clutch was the same.

 

[st10587]

just to confirm its a front?

 

[st10587]

yes you can get just the nipple and dust cover but they are 2 different items

 

[Lippo]

Thanks for that, I'll get one ordered. Yes, its the nearside front that broke.

Any idea on how to get the broken one out? I saw something called deep freeze or something similar in the motor factors earlier today. It's meant to free up bolts etc. The nipple broke off just below the nut, so most of the thread is still there. I don't have access to machining etc and don't want to take the caliper off.

 

[Lippo]

Re the dustcap, just as I took it off I dropped it. For the life of me I couldn't find the bloody thing - had the engine tray off as well - no joy. I put the spare cap from the broken nipple on it for now.

 

[Lippo]

and you need a litre of dot4 at least, not 500ml......

 

[st10587]

go to a motor factors and they should sell brake fluid by the litre, if not i can sell you some BMW dot 4 haha. if you can not grip and twist the broken piece out then you will end up either drilling and trying to tap the hole or you can get a tool that as you screw it in it works the broken piece out, if not its new new calliper.

or try a stud tool http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/tool-connection-tc3986-impact-stud-extractor

 

[Lippo]

Thanks again! when I change the nipple, am I alright clamping the fluid hose with a mole grip or similar? I've heard people do this, but I'd be worried about damaging the hose.

 

[st10587]

Thanks again! when I change the nipple, am I alright clamping the fluid hose with a mole grip or similar? I've heard people do this, but I'd be worried about damaging the hose.

be careful when clamping hoses as its easy to split them. if using mole grips then put something smooth between the jaw and the hose and do not clamp it tight. for example some soft wood then clamp the grips on loose, then wind the screw at the bottom until it starts to squash the hose.

 

[mgrays]

I use MIG welder to get broken nipples like that out.. small blobs on the broken part until after 8-10 spots you have a big blob.. let it cool past red hot and then use molegrips to undo. It will break the first 3-4 times but it will come.

No need then to take hose off or clamp hose. TBH it is likely to damage hose so I just don't do it.

 

[st10587]

I use MIG welder to get broken nipples like that out.. small blobs on the broken part until after 8-10 spots you have a big blob.. let it cool past red hot and then use molegrips to undo. It will break the first 3-4 times but it will come.

No need then to take hose off or clamp hose. TBH it is likely to damage hose so I just don't do it.

Lippo said he dont have that sort of equipemnt

you can buy hose clamps aswell

 

[Lippo]

I've not had a mig welder for a few years (since I made my old mini into a trailer). I'm looking at Comma's Frost Bite and a better pair of mole grips. I've got a g-clamp(?) which I might use to clamp the hose.

 

[st10587]

I've not had a mig welder for a few years (since I made my old mini into a trailer). I'm looking at Comma's Frost Bite and a better pair of mole grips. I've got a g-clamp(?) which I might use to clamp the hose.

you butchered a mini into a trailer!!!!

u could try using a chisel/punch and hammer to tap the last of the nipple round

 

[techathy]

Instead of faffing about with wood & mole grips just buy some proper hose clamps they are cheap & I've yet to split any hydraulic pipes with them.

 

[Lippo]

you butchered a mini into a trailer!!!!

Yeah, it was a cracking job as well, even if I say so myself... I took it to loads of Mini shows including the 40th @ Silverstone in '99. The missus had a mini as well, and mine was only going to be scrapped (A-reg green Mayfair), so I put it to good use.

I gave it away about 8 years ago!! Wish I'd kept it.

 

[Lippo]

Instead of faffing about with wood & mole grips just buy some proper hose clamps they are cheap & I've yet to split any hydraulic pipes with them.

Cheers, they look good

 

[st10587]

Yeah, it was a cracking job as well, even if I say so myself... I took it to loads of Mini shows including the 40th @ Silverstone in '99. The missus had a mini as well, and mine was only going to be scrapped (A-reg green Mayfair), so I put it to good use.

I gave it away about 8 years ago!! Wish I'd kept it.

was it the classis lop the front off so it was a half mini trailer??

 

[Lippo]

was it the classis lop the front off so it was a half mini trailer??

Yep, took the top off and cut just behind the B pillar. Welded a sheet of metal across the front and re-inforced it. Made my own tonneau as well.

Found a piccy of before I'd finished it;

 

[st10587]

that looks wicked!

 

[Lippo]

Haha, I never got so much attention!! I had a crowd around it when I turned up at meets. Obviously it was the same colour as the missus' car (which had a 1380cc engine, stage 3 head with Omega v-wedge pistons, cam belt drive and carbon fibre push rods - those were the days).