Subject: Re: eldo disc brake caliper question
Author: Giller,Bruce C.
Date: Jun 4, 2003, 6:07 AM
Post ID: 1713256299
Charles,
One of the "joys" of hydraulic brake calipers is when the bleeder
valves break off; this allows you to realize the meaning of
"frustration". Do not attempt to extract it with an Ez-Out; you'll just
snap it off inside the valve and Ez-Outs are made of very hard steel so
you won't be able to drill it out.
One method is to TIG/MIG weld a nut to the remains of the bleeder valve
and use a socket wrench to (perhaps, maybe, could, fat chance) remove
it. I had two calipers with sheared-off valves; this method worked on
both; one came out intact, the other came out with a chunk of the
caliper still attached (over time there is excellent bonding between the
aluminum caliper and the steel valve).
Another is to drill it out with ever increasing sizes of bits until
only a bit of the valve remains, then use a pick to remove the remains.
But drilling it out requires a steady hand (or drill press) and it must
be centered almost exactly. And don't bugger up the bottom of the
caliper drilling for then the new bleeder valve will not work correctly.
Just be prepared to buy a new/used caliper at the end of all your efforts.
To prevent this from occurring again, apply antisieze to the bleeder
valve. And also loosen each valve at least once a year.
Bruce
'72 Eldo
| Charles wrote: Hello Gang: I've now broken off both rusted bleed valves on my disc caliper. Do I drill out the remaining piece? Are new ones that don't rust easy to find? Thanks again. Charles, Salisbury, Maryland '74 Eldo w/ Velorex hack. |