Where is the bleed nipple?

Went to 'quickly' flush by brake fluid as its black (newly purchased G reg defender 90). It has a disco rear axle, and i can't find the bleed nipple on the callipers.

There is a 'nib' at the top of the calliper, next to the bend in the brake pipe, but its round and doesnt have a nipple on it. Same on both sides. Could that be a bodge repair previously?

There are three drillings in the top of the rear caliper:-

Left to right, these are the bleed nipple tapping, the fluid way blind drilling plug, and the brake fluid entry port tapping. Looking at the state of your calipers, I suspect the bleed nipples may have rotted away.

Given you have only just bought it, I won't comment on the state of it in general - but I think its time for a good clean up under there !!!

( and post your location in your profile - just the nearest large town )

Are all disco brake callipers the same? I cannot see even a trace of what should be the bleed nipple, or the fluid way blinds drilling plug as shown on your photo....
Your photo looks like the layout of the front disk callipers on my defender though...

Rorie said:

Are all disco brake callipers the same? I cannot see even a trace of what should be the bleed nipple, or the fluid way blinds drilling plug as shown on your photo....
Your photo looks like the layout of the front disk callipers on my defender though...

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IIRC the D1's are similar to the 90, as in Disco1BFG's picture. That'll be why he put that particular picture on! As said, everything must have corroded down in to one amorphous mass. If your fluid is black then suspect your master cylinder seals are perished and the system is going to fail anyway. If I were you, I would invest in new calipers, new seals or cylinders and possibly some new pipework. Looks like your new purchase needs some TLC.

More likely sheared off

blue beasty said:

More likely sheared off

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Good call.
Though they do look like they've been on the sea bed for a few years.

The nipple has been sheared off and the calipers look un-recoverable. Looks like you have some serious underbody work to do on that before it falls apart around you.

wammers said:

The nipple has been sheared off and the calipers look un-recoverable. Looks like you have some serious underbody work to do on that before it falls apart around you.

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+1 on all that. For me, those calipers need replacement asap. And the rest of it will rust out very quick if not given urgent attention.

Rorie said:

Are all disco brake callipers the same?

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No, there are two - its easy to confirm with the axle serial number - here's a screenshot of the part catalogue to assist you....

Al2O3 said:

IIRC the D1's are similar to the 90, as in Disco1BFG's picture.

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RRC, D1, and defender with rear discs share a common caliper.... ( of the two part #'s)

blue beasty said:

More likely sheared off

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Agreed. Easy to drill out .... though some hot spanner might be needed. if the seal faces are any good, they'll be recoverable - otherwise its time for new...... my advice fit Stainless steel pistons in any event.....

Al2O3 said:

Though they do look like they've been on the sea bed for a few years.

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Aye - Shocking needs a good sandblasting under there

Thanks for the replies.

I took the callipers off for a better look and i can now relate them to the photo posted above.

The car is actually in good condition (believe it or not). Got a galvy chassis which is a good start. Much to my surprise, when i took the brake pipe off the calliper, the fluid that came out was golden in colour! So perhaps i was getting ahead of myself with my colour statement! Brake pipes are all in good nick, still copper in colour (need a good coating in grease).

So the only question remains is what version they are. I will have look at the chassis and hope its got a number, but is there any other way of knowing?

Rorie said:

Brake pipes are all in good nick, still copper in colour (need a good coating in grease).

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Why? Cunifer brake pipes will outlast the vehicle!

an internet search on your lockheed number should answer your question

The red arrows point to where the bleed nipples are on mine. Yours are Fubar'd ... Top one is the right side (driver), bottom is the left side (passenger).

I like the percussive maintenance instrument ..

Paul D said:

The red arrows point to where the bleed nipples are on mine. Yours are Fubar'd ... Top one is the right side (driver), bottom is the left side (passenger).

I like the percussive maintenance instrument ..

View attachment 114773

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Yup! Club hammer is one of my favourite weapons anorl! Gets the job done!

Actually, I got that wrong .. top is passenger side, bottom is driver side .. my bad ..

My caliper, driver side. This is a Disco 1 axle on a Defender 1989 .. Sorry it's blurry, phone cam, but you can see the layout.

haha, it was always explained to me that you fix a modern car with a computer, whereas you fix a landy with a hammer, i.e. my persuader!

No sign of the serial number on the chassis. Searched the Lockheed code and got several people on forums asking "is this genuine land rover?", but so far nothing pointing towards what one i need to buy!

Does anybody know what the difference is? Would they both fit? Looking at photos of the two options, and they 'look' the same, so nothing obvious to tell me what one i have...

Rorie said:

haha, it was always explained to me that you fix a modern car with a computer, whereas you fix a landy with a hammer, i.e. my persuader!

No sign of the serial number on the chassis. Searched the Lockheed code and got several people on forums asking "is this genuine land rover?", but so far nothing pointing towards what one i need to buy!

Does anybody know what the difference is? Would they both fit? Looking at photos of the two options, and they 'look' the same, so nothing obvious to tell me what one i have...

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if calipers were secured to the axle case by hexagonal headed bolts google rtc5890 and rtc5889, if secured by 12 pointed headed bolts then smc500110 and smc500240 should be able to get them for 20 something pounds each

Thanks. It must be the RTC5890 and RTC5889 as they are hex bolts.

Looking to buy replacement bolts - for the hex bolts they are item 591065 where as the 12 point are FTC3375. The latter is standard from most suppliers (36p each!) but the hex bolt is £7.55!

Are these special bolts, or could i get any UNF 7/16 bolt for much less than £7.55

Rorie said:

Thanks. It must be the RTC5890 and RTC5889 as they are hex bolts.

Looking to buy replacement bolts - for the hex bolts they are item 591065 where as the 12 point are FTC3375. The latter is standard from most suppliers (36p each!) but the hex bolt is £7.55!

Are these special bolts, or could i get any UNF 7/16 bolt for much less than £7.55

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special bolts, the shank is a specific length to suit the caliper and ensure no movement

Sorry for another question; looking for my brake pads. I know the old ones use split pins and springs, the new ones use solid pins. My callipers (RTC5890 and RTC5889) had a spring on the split pin.

Parts catalogue just shows one one code and search on Paddocks only gives me split pins with those tin plates.

Is there a different parts catalogue that show the old version with relevant part numbers?

Rorie said:

Sorry for another question; looking for my brake pads. I know the old ones use split pins and springs, the new ones use solid pins. My callipers (RTC5890 and RTC5889) had a spring on the split pin.

Parts catalogue just shows one one code and search on Paddocks only gives me split pins with those tin plates.

Is there a different parts catalogue that show the old version with relevant part numbers?

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you want these stc8574