Seized bleed nipple

[jsl20]

I took my m135i in for a brake bleed service recently. I had a call saying that the mechanics weren’t able to extract the near side front bleed nipple because it had seized. This therefore meant I needed a whole new calliper which wasn’t cheap.

I’ve now got the old calliper sat in a box and I’m not 100% sure what to do with it. Can you drill out the old screw and refurbish the calliper? If I get this done do you then need to increase the diameter of the bleed screw?

I’m just trying to work out whether to refurb or just stick on eBay as needing work.

[steveo3002]

if its snapped off flush or higher i would weld a washer and nut to it...the heat helps alot

[Shanksy87]

Just send it to a reputable refurbisher. They will drill out the nipple, insert a helicoil and fit a new standard size one in its place, then finish with new paint and seals. Then you have something worth selling on

[jsl20]

The head is still on the bolt, it’s just a bit mullered from where the bmw mechanic tried to extract it.

Is this job for a specialist or a decent mechanic? I’ve found a company online that can sort it but given it weighs so much the postage would make the whole thing relatively expensive.

[C. Grimsley]

Madness, drill the nipples thread and replace the nipple we do it daily, about £50 cost and saves the customer money and a real easy job.

The satisfaction getting it out is worth it

Carl

[dontlookdown]

Heat and a decent pair of self locking grips will shift most seized bleed nipples. If you haven't got a welding or blowtorch, a kettle full of boiling water is often surprisingly effective. Put the caliper in a vice if you can.

Be careful not to singe the seals if you are hoping to avoid rebuilding it.

[Mike-tf3n0]

As above, but before you try that just put a couple of drops of Plus Gas on the nipple every day for three or four days and see if it will then screw out. I can't tell you how many things that were 'completely seized solid' I have just unscrewed like this, the stuff is magic!

[nomis36]

One of my nipples was mullered when i came to bleed my brakes, the 7mm spanner had absolutely no bite on it. Unlike the OP's though, it wasn't seized. I got it out by tapping a 6mm 1/4 drive socket on it then it came out ok. As somebody has already said, try soaking it in plus gas or wd40 for a few days then try the next size down socket like i did. It's worth a go for the £0 cost.

[davettf2]

Plus heat, heat, heat! it really will help

[nomis36]

davettf2 said:

Plus heat, heat, heat! it really will help

But like somebody has said, don’t overdo it or the piston seals will get damaged.

[archie456]

I had this issue on a CSL when it went to Simpson Motor Sport.

They drilled the hole in the top out a bit and used a tapered extractor of this type.

I was impressed by how easily it came out. Up until that point I was dreading the cost of a new calliper, presumably at 'M' prices.