Prevention of snapping brake bleeders

[moribundman]

A few thoughts:

1. stainless steel/brass bleeder nipples
2. "excercise" those bleeder nipples
3. protective rubber caps (replace every couple years -- they age quickly)
4. bleeder nipples don't break off by themselves -- don't turn them like a gorilla!
5. Where's labman?

 

[The Critic]

Forget it, I'm just taking it to Sear's. Not worth the time nor the risk. They'll do it for less than $50...

Thanks everyone...

 

[SHOZ]

Hit them with a propane torch.

 

[CapriRacer]

Quote:

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Hit them with a propane torch.

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As a shadetree mechanic, I've always wondered how much / how long to apply heat in a situation like this.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JackFish]

Never mind snapping, I have one that's been rounded off by a ham-fisted mechanic.

I'm about to take a pair of vice-grips to it very soon!

 

[George7941]

Quote:

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I've always wondered how much / how long to apply heat in a situation like this

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Heat is safe enough to use as long as you are very careful. The hotter the flame the quicker you can heat up your seized fastener without too much heat being transferred to the adjoining metal. A swirl propane torch is better than the regular torch, assuming you do not have access to an oxy-acetylene torch. Use a small concentrated flame and cool the part down immediately after you get the fastener loose. I have loosened up many brake bleeders and brake line nuts with heat.

 

[RH+G]

Those of you that have never had a bleeder are either lucky, not working in the right area

or not working on older enough cars. I have some snap that leaked and others that didnt leak. Its a toss up.