Sheared nipples!

CaptainAhab · Dec 3rd, 2014, 19:24

Yeah, sorry about the title.

Anyway, sheared a bleed nipple when trying to bleed the brakes. I stopped as it occurs to me that these things haven't moved in years (not had the car long) and it's likely with the best will in the world that more will go. I don't want to use easy outs as they are crap. I have thought about drilling and also dab welding a washer to the stub but would like something easier.

Any suggestions?

P Appleyard · Dec 3rd, 2014, 21:39

Years ago had same issue with MK4 Cortina, there was luckily a bit of stub left. I welded a nut on, quite a large nut the thermal mass of it prevented melting the stub away. The heat soaked into the casting and it came out a breeze.

Davey240 · Dec 3rd, 2014, 22:39

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you but would be very interested to hear what others have to say. I have the same problem with mine as I sheared off a few earlier in the year trying to change the brake fluid. This was inspite of giving them a good soaking with plusgas and a good tap with a hammer before trying to loosen them. They are not losing any fluid so have more or less resigned myself to having to replace the calipers at some time in the future. Not a job I am looking forward to at all! Dave.

Clifford Pope · Dec 4th, 2014, 08:17

Easily done, but avoidable if you know the tricks.

If a nipple won't turn on gentle pressure, DON'T try and force it.

1) Clean the area with a wire brush
2) Apply Plusgas and leave to soak
3) Use a well-fitting ring spanner, apply gentle torque at the same time as hitting the nipple sharply END-ON with a hammer. Try tightening as well.
4) Increase the torque, but never to the point of risking fracture. You can sense a sort of safe springiness.

Once you get it to move a fraction, run brake fluid round the threads and ease the spanner backwards and forwards to increase movement.

It's probably a good idea to fit a new nipple, in case the old one is weakened.

As for getting out a broken one, I wouldn't bother. When the local garage broke all mine by mindless brutality they gave up trying to extract the stubs even with the caliper held firmly on the work bench.

CaptainAhab · Dec 5th, 2014, 17:46

Thanks Clifford, I,ll give the hammer technique a go and see what happens!

Paul240480 · Dec 7th, 2014, 10:15

Proper brake spanners if you can.
https://www.google.com/search?site=&...28.VajJj6tith8

Dec 3rd, 2014, 19:24	#1
CaptainAhab Spanner ex machina Last Online: Sep 24th, 2020 17:43 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bangor	Sheared nipples! Yeah, sorry about the title. Anyway, sheared a bleed nipple when trying to bleed the brakes. I stopped as it occurs to me that these things haven't moved in years (not had the car long) and it's likely with the best will in the world that more will go. I don't want to use easy outs as they are crap. I have thought about drilling and also dab welding a washer to the stub but would like something easier. Any suggestions? __________________ 1988 240DL B230K AKA: Moby

Dec 5th, 2014, 17:46	#5
CaptainAhab Spanner ex machina Last Online: Sep 24th, 2020 17:43 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bangor	Thanks Clifford, I,ll give the hammer technique a go and see what happens! __________________ 1988 240DL B230K AKA: Moby

Dec 7th, 2014, 10:15	#6
Paul240480 Ovlovnut Last Online: Feb 25th, 2024 08:58 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nivillac View Photos By: Paul240480	Proper brake spanners if you can. https://www.google.com/search?site=&...28.VajJj6tith8 __________________ 2004 V70 2.4SE Auto 'The Welshmobile’ 2002 Laika Ecovip 400i ( Motorhome on an Iveco 2.8TD) http://www.gitessouthbrittany.com/ http://moncopainmonchien.jimdo.com/

Dec 3rd, 2014, 21:39	#2
P Appleyard New Member Last Online: Sep 7th, 2016 17:30 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Retford	Years ago had same issue with MK4 Cortina, there was luckily a bit of stub left. I welded a nut on, quite a large nut the thermal mass of it prevented melting the stub away. The heat soaked into the casting and it came out a breeze.

Dec 3rd, 2014, 22:39	#3
Davey240 Member Last Online: Oct 15th, 2023 14:47 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Flintshire	Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you but would be very interested to hear what others have to say. I have the same problem with mine as I sheared off a few earlier in the year trying to change the brake fluid. This was inspite of giving them a good soaking with plusgas and a good tap with a hammer before trying to loosen them. They are not losing any fluid so have more or less resigned myself to having to replace the calipers at some time in the future. Not a job I am looking forward to at all! Dave.

Dec 4th, 2014, 08:17	#4
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Today 08:33 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	Easily done, but avoidable if you know the tricks. If a nipple won't turn on gentle pressure, DON'T try and force it. 1) Clean the area with a wire brush 2) Apply Plusgas and leave to soak 3) Use a well-fitting ring spanner, apply gentle torque at the same time as hitting the nipple sharply END-ON with a hammer. Try tightening as well. 4) Increase the torque, but never to the point of risking fracture. You can sense a sort of safe springiness. Once you get it to move a fraction, run brake fluid round the threads and ease the spanner backwards and forwards to increase movement. It's probably a good idea to fit a new nipple, in case the old one is weakened. As for getting out a broken one, I wouldn't bother. When the local garage broke all mine by mindless brutality they gave up trying to extract the stubs even with the caliper held firmly on the work bench.

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