maddox

Hi any advise on how I could remove a broken brake bleed nipple. It was being loosened & didn't budge, then just snapped off.

Also - any advise on how to test if the vacuum servo is actually working? I have done the pressure tests etc using the mighty vac and it holds vacuum ok.

Thanks

the flyin' scotsman

Maddox.........if there's a piece of the nipple still protruding from the caliper you could try vise grips but you may just break that off. An 'easy out' of the correct size is probably your best bet and should be available where you buy quality tools.

If the servo holds vacuum with the mityac how long does it remain held?

GlenL

For the servo, put your foot on the brake and then start the car. You should feel the boost come in.

The broken bleeder is a tough one. An easy-out is your best hope. I'd still be afraid it was making shavings that would fall into the piston.

If it were me, (IIWM?) I'd pull the caliper and repair it on the bench. Then remove the piston to make sure and bits were cleaned out.

dr bob

Go the easy-out route, but put a little grease on the end so any chips stay stuck to the tool. If you end up drilling dome of the nipple out, b aware that it is a hollow steel bolt into aluminum, and the bottom is a tapered seat into the caliper. If you drill too far or tap a too-big easy out into it, you risk damaging the caliper.

To flush the caliper while still on the car, you'll want to unbolt it from the car and turn it so that the bleeder is the low point. Use your power/pressure bleeder to push a bunch of fluid through as you rotate the thing around a little. Then remount it with the bleeder in the top position and bleed normally.

If the thing is more than casually stubborn, I'll second GlenL's advice to remove it and do the work on the bench. It will only take a few minutes and it's worth it for the better access. Pull the crossover pipe and blow the thing out with compressed air. (be sure to constrain the pistons).

928drvr86.5

Once you get the Bleeder out i recommend putting a set of speed bleeders inplace. I put a set in my 86.5 a couple of years ago and boy do they make bleeding MUCH easier.

maddox

Hi every one, thanks for the answers- an easy out on the bench would have been my first choice. The nipple broke of flush so no other way really. It will be fitted with a speed bleeder for future use.

The servo vacuum holds ok, I will do the brake pedal test.

Garth S

In addition to the good advice above, especially Dr Bobs caution re. the conical sealing seat in the caliper, this thought may be worthwhile: If you have a Mity vac* or a pressure/power bleeder, you can apply +ve fluid pressure from the second bleed screw in the caliper or resevoir respectively when removing the broken bleeder. Any chips, etc will be forced out with the bleeder, and the flow will lube the drill.
* yes, the mity vac can be switched to +ve pressure