Anyone got any tips on replacing brake fluid on a Bendix brake caliper which has had its bleed screw sheared off?
I've used a Gunson Easybleed kit before with calipers with bleed screws.
I had considered disconnecting the hose to the caliper, but how would I get rid of the old fluid/air within the caliper itself?
No nipple bleeding
Moderator: RichardW
Ralph,
The only way you are going to get a full beed on the caliper is to crack open the bleed screw.
The bleed screw is located on the top of the fluid chamber so that the lower density air will escape through it first before the fluid when bled.
I would suggest you try and remove the nipple with an easy-out. This is a tapered reverse thread tool. If you pilot drill into the centre of the nipple, the easy -out can then be wound in. As it is a reverse thread it will tighten up inside the old nipple, and at the same time will try and undo the nipple fom the caliper.
A word of warning though, these can snap easily if you're too 'eager', so take your time.
Before you start ensure you have a new nipple to fit to the caliper once the old ones out.
Finally if you're a bit worried about it, or don't have the tools, it might be quicker for you to disconnect the caliper from the hose (and blank the hose to prevent excessive fluid loss) and take it to your local engineering specialist.
I hope this helps
Andy
The only way you are going to get a full beed on the caliper is to crack open the bleed screw.
The bleed screw is located on the top of the fluid chamber so that the lower density air will escape through it first before the fluid when bled.
I would suggest you try and remove the nipple with an easy-out. This is a tapered reverse thread tool. If you pilot drill into the centre of the nipple, the easy -out can then be wound in. As it is a reverse thread it will tighten up inside the old nipple, and at the same time will try and undo the nipple fom the caliper.
A word of warning though, these can snap easily if you're too 'eager', so take your time.
Before you start ensure you have a new nipple to fit to the caliper once the old ones out.
Finally if you're a bit worried about it, or don't have the tools, it might be quicker for you to disconnect the caliper from the hose (and blank the hose to prevent excessive fluid loss) and take it to your local engineering specialist.
I hope this helps
Andy
I had the pleasure of restoring an elderly Rover a few years ago which had been owned by the archetypal Mutant Amateur Mechanic from Hell, and which had both front caliper nipples shredded beyond redemption (among other things best not referred to in educated company) [xx(][xx(].
I got around their non-availability by drilling out the nipples (surprisingly soft) to 5/16" and tapping the resulting hole to accept a longitudinally drilled machine screw. Inserting a suitably sized ball bearing - 1/8" in my case - to act as a valve face then tightening the screw against it achieved a perfect seal and allowed bleeding once again. [8D][8D][8D][:D]
Hope that's of some help.
I got around their non-availability by drilling out the nipples (surprisingly soft) to 5/16" and tapping the resulting hole to accept a longitudinally drilled machine screw. Inserting a suitably sized ball bearing - 1/8" in my case - to act as a valve face then tightening the screw against it achieved a perfect seal and allowed bleeding once again. [8D][8D][8D][:D]
Hope that's of some help.