Hi,car had timing belt & brake fluid change yesterday however upon collecting it turns out one of the front bleed nipples is seized.Garage recommend new caliper as they would but brakes work fine so i would like to free it up rather than replace at the moment. as its also got a torn cv boot as well that  needs to be done now as well,bloody cars!

 

Got plus gas & little wire brush so was thinking clean it up,soak it for a week or so & try gently gently on it but does anyone have a better suggestion.

 

Cheers in advance.

Rather savage approach but, gentle heat applied to outer caliper casing ( aluminium) could (fingers crossed) expand caliper housing just enough to allow with a good grip on steel nipple, to gradually unscrew it.

Have new nipple at the ready just incase your lucky.

If it goes pear shaped with bad luck, and snaps off in caliper, then two choices drill-out and insert helicoil or, renew caliper.

Probably the cost of having an helicoil fitted would be close to the purchse of a new cailper, being a guess.

If brakes are fine, then leave for another dry sunny light day, to attempt the job above.

Myself, I would moan a-little, buy a new caliper, and as I'm a lazy git, let my local independant garage do all the work..LOL

Edited 31 January, 201511 yr by giandougl

Yeah with all the other stuff at once it'd be easier to just free the existing one if possible.But then if i buy a new one i'd have to paint it or pay through the nose for a green one couldn't have an odd silver one lol.

Yeah with all the other stuff at once it'd be easier to just free the existing one if possible.But then if i buy a new one i'd have to paint it or pay through the nose for a green one couldn't have an odd silver one lol.

NO..it would already be green from new..

Just had a look at my supposedly green calipers.. well I know they are green but with all the cack on them it's anybody's guess. LOL

Well if the garage hasn't destroyed the head of the nipple trying to remove it then you may be able to free it.

 

Make sure you have a decent socket on it that's the right size to avoid any issues of rounding the head off.

 

Phil

NO..it would already be green from new..

Just had a look at my supposedly green calipers.. well I know they are green but with all the cack on them it's anybody's guess. LOL

Only green if you pay the extra though,know what you mean about the cack keep thinking i should clean mine..........

Vinegar can be good to free seized treads

Keep soaking it, then when you're ready, clamp a pair of molegrips on tight and smack them in the right direction with a hammer.

Have new nipples ready as the old ones will be knackered.

Vinegar can be good to free seized treads

 

Yeah I recently learned of this tip. I think the acid in it eats away the rust.

 

Phil

Ah got vinegar,have it on me chips :p ,will give it a go.

Another way is to put a larger nut over the nipple and weld it to the nipple, this directs heat into the right area, and gives you better purchase to turn it, works on seized studs too.

if you drill it out, chances are the drill bit won't have the same taper angle as the bottom of the hole so the new nipple won't seal.  I've read this can be overcome with a small ball bearing down the hole under the new nipple.  never had top try it though.

get a good fit spanner, then hit the caliper with a hammer tapping around the area where the nipple is. You will be surprised how effective this is!

Still soaking it waiting for warmer weather before attempting to shift it (wuss lol).