Hi all, just had a service, had the front pads done last year, had brake fluid done this year. I was reported to me the front offside bleed nipple is seized. I have been quoted £70 from the dealer.  A local indie quited £114 for 1 hour labour, or £800+ if it needs a new caliper. Does this sound right?! If the dealer was able to do my pads last year and fluid today, what is the consequence of leaving it?

 

Thanks,

James

Can't see how they changed the fluid properly with a seized bleed nipple, essentially they would only be able to do 3 wheels, so job wasn't completed properly. When bleeding brakes you normally start furthest away from the master cylinder and work back.

New caliper wouldn't be anywhere near £800 through the aftermarket, probably dealer unit for that price. No problem leaving a seized nipple, won't have any effect on how the car drives, but will be a pain if you need to change the fluid again (or the hose) in the near future.

When did they actually change the fluid?

£700 for one caliper!!? I presume these are the optional forged platinum calipers?

There are a number of ways to deal with a seized bleed nipple, none of which will cost anything like you've been quoted.

Sounds more like they've rounded it off by using the wrong type of spanner. A good fitting socket should remove it quite easily.

Well I had the fluid done today, they (the dealer) have stated "O/s/front calliper break nipple seized". Part needed is K1K0615273A and K211611483. Only one ever to touch the breaks is the dealer. I had the front pads done last year by them. Otherwise the fluid is done every two years by them.

Worse case senario would be a new caliper if the old nipple cant be removed by other means.....even at dealer prices it would not be anywhere near £800!! i think my front caliper was around £40 when i replaced it a few years ago due to the piston siezing.

Dealer price for front Caliper change is around £280 plus vat. I know.

What are those part codes I quoted for then? That comes to £70.

Well I had the fluid done today, they (the dealer) have stated "O/s/front calliper break nipple seized". Part needed is K1K0615273A and K211611483. Only one ever to touch the breaks is the dealer. I had the front pads done last year by them. Otherwise the fluid is done every two years by them.

Yeah, dealer at £800 sounds like they need their own bleed nipples changing. I wouldn't go back there unless you have strong ties and goodwill. Go with an independent who sounds like they are more in touch with a reasonable fix for the problem. One of the parts is the bleed nipple, not sure what the other is. The part codes look a bit funny like not normal presentation in skoda format?

 

You could have a go yourself. Take wheel off. Soak in WD40, or some other penetrating liquid.  Have a new bleed nipple on standby. Total worst case is having to replace the caliper if it was on your drive you'd be without the car for  a few days though whilst you source part.

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by TheClient

The £800 WAS from an Indie! The £70 and those codes was the main dealer.

The £800 WAS from an Indie! The £70 and those codes was the main dealer.

They need head reading then?  Like you said earlier, I am surprised with regular maintenance by one dealer including fluid changes you end up with a seized nipple. Sure, if you leave fluid and bleeding for 5 years you may encounter a problem.  Seems it may have been just ignored in the past... but need to move past that now I suppose.

 

Edit: I mean maybe the genuine replacement part and labour to fit may end up at that, but to not suggest an alternative at 25% of that really?.....

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by TheClient

If the nipple is complete and not massively rounded you could try heating the caliper with a blowtorch around the nipple and remove the nipple with a deep 6 point socket.

This has worked for me in the past and I always crack the more stubborn nipples with a socket first.

Did you get sorted? I fitted new discs and pads to rear today for 44 quid , quite simple except one piston was seized ...released bleed nipple to release pressure, comes undone easily ....bleed nipple is about 8 quid ....caliper 38-125 depending on quality and where you buy and if I can do the job .....a good mechanic should do it in an hour tops ....literally about 4 things to undo after removing the wheel and a bit of a bleed on that wheel