Broken brake nipple
Broken brake nipple
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Discussion

Private Pile

Original Poster:

754 posts

213 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
quotequote all
While doing some work on my Saab 900 Classic, i've broke the bleed nipple off flush in the caliper. I then sheared a torx bit off in the nipple.

Any idea how much a engineering firm will charge to remove it? I'm trying to work out if i'll be cheaper buying a new ( second hand ) caliper.

Thanks

andyiley

11,408 posts

170 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
quotequote all
If the bleed nipple sheared without moving the torx was always going to as it will have been smaller, not a good decision unfortunately, as now you have something that is hardened in the nipple that you need to drill out!

Hindsight says you should have left it & drilled it out straight away. The difficulty you now have is getting a hardened drill into a hardened torx bit without the drill wandering off, which will be pretty much impossible I think.

You will probably be better to get a replacement caliper.

eliaskok

20 posts

142 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
quotequote all
Yeah replacement caliper is much better for you and it might cost you less at the end if you do it yourself.

Private Pile

Original Poster:

754 posts

213 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
quotequote all
Thanks. Yeah, i realised that the second the torx bit broke!

I know that there is a local company that offers spark erosion, but i've no idea what they charge.

I'll make some calls tomorrow, but i'm thinking a new caliper will end up the better option.

Cheers.

DVandrews

1,350 posts

301 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
quotequote all
You can successfully bleed the brakes without using the nipple if you know how.

This will take the pressure off replacing the caliper.

If you want to know how I can detail it here.

Dave

Private Pile

Original Poster:

754 posts

213 months

Monday 24th March 2014
quotequote all
Thank you DV. I know i could bleed it through the brake pipe, but a new caliper is cheap enough. The car is off the road, so i'm under no great time pressure.

Thanks you all for your replies.

fourfoldroot

627 posts

173 months

Monday 24th March 2014
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I snapped a front caliper nipple on a Rover P5B. Got a new s/h caliper and promptly stripped the caliper bolts on removal,didnt fancy bodging the caliper bolts so ended up replacing the whole hub and stub axle. Wondered if my bad luck would extend to replacing the whole front subframe. What a fun day that was.

Private Pile

Original Poster:

754 posts

213 months

Tuesday 25th March 2014
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Lol, I think we have all had days like this. A real life rewind button would be handy in the garage.

Al Murphy

293 posts

177 months

Wednesday 26th March 2014
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Private Pile said:
A real life rewind button would be handy in the garage.
Now that is definitely something I'd pay to have in my toolbox!

Al