Bleed nipple fecked ...

Changed brake fluids (part of a minor service) and bled all corners till I got to the front offside and the nipple won't undo at all. The thing has twisted without turning on the threads and if I put any more force on it I know it will just shear, so I left it as it was getting dark and cold last night!!! (wimp)

So, any suggestions before I buy a new caliper (joking!)? or start on it again this morning?

I have a set of easi-outs but would like further suggestions as a stand-by for when it goes, as I know it will, and I currently don't have a replacement nipple ... do Halfords stock them? ??

Any reason not to run the Disco in the meantime? Is the nipple likely to shear whilst driving and under braking? Have to get somewhere Very Important tomorrow so need to fix it today.

Realistically it sounds like you may need to take the caliper off the car so you can work on it. Only you can be the judge of how you see the situation, if the caliper is working and it isn't in need of bleeding and your Landy pulls up straight with a good pedal then you shuold be able to leave it as is for the time being. If there is any pull under braking take the car off the road until it is fixed or better still take it to a garage and get it sorted.

Hope that helps you.

My standard never known to fail way of removing stuck bleed nipples is to tap them a few hundred times on the end using a long handled 4 ounce pin hammer. Like as if you are trying to knock it in like a nail. You don't hit it hard - you hit it lightly and many times.

If you have patience and if you haven't already screwed the thing it will come out.
A soak with a little 50-50 mix of kero-diesel will help.

CharlesY

If the caliper is working properly,the bleed nipple not leaking (esp under pressure) and its just for today,bleed it off the highest point you can,probably the pipe union.Dont say I told you but my father has been doing this for 50 odd years and I have for a while.Im not saying its right but as a temporary fix,IF you get good,SAFE brake effort.If you have any doubt as to the braking effort,dont drive it.Either way,do what the others say and fix it ASAP.
I think it unlikely it would shear off while driving.

provided it's not weeping, and your motor is pulling up straight, it'll be ok to drive for a day.

At the first opportuninty whip off the caliper onto your bench, I wouldn't try sorting it out in situ.

When you do get round to taking the caliper off,its worth (first) taking the brake fluid reservoir cap off,puttig a 6 inch square of heavy polythene over the opening and screwing the cap down tight.Its amazing how well this works at stopping fluid loss and air getting in....of course you will be clamping flexi hoses but this is worth doing too.
And for gods sake go easy on the easi outs!All they ever do for me is snap off,be impossible to drill out and cost many frustrating hours and lots of money.The square profile ones seem to be more resiliant than the usual conical type......

After all my concern the thing came out relatively easily !! CharlesY's idea of gentle persistent tapping worked, thanks a lot for that.

Got a pic of it but having issues with the camera so I'll post it when I can .. The body of the nipple is twisted, looks 'screwed', with a helix on it a bit like a Mister Softee ice cream .. Found a spare bleed nipple so replaced it and all's fine. Drove well, no issues with the twisted nipple in, brakes were working as usual so my only concern was really that it might pop off whilst driving ... it didn't, it wasn't weeping so a chance worth taking I thought.

Thanks for the ideas, much appreciated.

Paul D said:

After all my concern the thing came out relatively easily !! CharlesY's idea of gentle persistent tapping worked, thanks a lot for that.

Got a pic of it but having issues with the camera so I'll post it when I can .. The body of the nipple is twisted, looks 'screwed', with a helix on it a bit like a Mister Softee ice cream .. Found a spare bleed nipple so replaced it and all's fine. Drove well, no issues with the twisted nipple in, brakes were working as usual so my only concern was really that it might pop off whilst driving ... it didn't, it wasn't weeping so a chance worth taking I thought.

Thanks for the ideas, much appreciated.

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Good stuff... back on the road!

Yup and no worries for tomorrow now when I really need it ..