Car is a 2004 Mazda 3, so has been through 6 Chicago winters and has plenty of rust underneath. Yesterday I did a drain of my brake fluid (2 person method), since it has only been changed once in the life of the car.
I was nervous about the horror stories of broken bleeder screws, but I really didn't want to blow $120 on a flush considering I had Blue ATE brake fluid in my garage. Anyway, hit the bleeders with PB blaster and let them sit for a few hours. First bleeder cracked just fine, passenger rear. Unfortunately, the driver rear bleeder would not budge an inch, even with great force.
At that point I figured leave good enough alone, better than snapping off the bleeder itself, which anymore force would surely do I thought. Moved on to the front brakes, and they broke fine as well.
Overall I'm very happy, as when I first bought this car I did no maintenance at all. A few tool purchases and lots of forum reading later...Oil/ATF/Coolant/Power Steering/Motor Mount and now brake fluid.
My question is, has anyone else had a similar circumstance? I've heard plenty of broken bleeder stories, but not any seized or just plain stuck one's. I suppose in a few years I will have to invest in some new calipers if I plan to keep this car.
I was nervous about the horror stories of broken bleeder screws, but I really didn't want to blow $120 on a flush considering I had Blue ATE brake fluid in my garage. Anyway, hit the bleeders with PB blaster and let them sit for a few hours. First bleeder cracked just fine, passenger rear. Unfortunately, the driver rear bleeder would not budge an inch, even with great force.
At that point I figured leave good enough alone, better than snapping off the bleeder itself, which anymore force would surely do I thought. Moved on to the front brakes, and they broke fine as well.
Overall I'm very happy, as when I first bought this car I did no maintenance at all. A few tool purchases and lots of forum reading later...Oil/ATF/Coolant/Power Steering/Motor Mount and now brake fluid.
My question is, has anyone else had a similar circumstance? I've heard plenty of broken bleeder stories, but not any seized or just plain stuck one's. I suppose in a few years I will have to invest in some new calipers if I plan to keep this car.
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