Stiff nipples

[v9]

Reading the recent thread on a snapped bleed nipple, and as I am going to change the brake rotors and pads tomorrow on my Megane RS has got me thinking - is there any way of minimising the chances of this happening? I was going to bleed through a bit of fresh fluid whilst I have the wheels off, but I have no idea how long it’s been since this has been done, so the chances are the bleed nipples will be quite stuck.

Any thoughts?

[interstellar]

I came to this thread and it wasn’t what I was expecting…..

[E-bmw]

Basically, you won't know until you try them.

If you don't know when it was done then you may need to do a bit more than "bleed a little fluid through" for the little that it takes change the fluid & bleed it all through.

[abzmike]

interstellar said:

I came to this thread and it wasn’t what I was expecting…..

Me too… I find a little E45 helps…

[stevieturbo]

spray a little WD40 or similar a few times prior to attempting. And leave it to soak for a minimum of several hours each time

Also, whack the top of the nipple with a hammer, it can help release tension on the threads before attempting to undo.

Patience is important.

And a good fitting spanner, socket, whatever, not cheap rubbish.

And of course suitable anti-seize when refitting

[v9]

stevieturbo said:

spray a little WD40 or similar a few times prior to attempting. And leave it to soak for a minimum of several hours each time

Also, whack the top of the nipple with a hammer, it can help release tension on the threads before attempting to undo.

Patience is important.

And a good fitting spanner, socket, whatever, not cheap rubbish.

And of course suitable anti-seize when refitting

That’s pretty much what I thought. Have given them a good soak in Plus Gas and will give it a try tomorrow.

[shalmaneser]

stevieturbo said:

spray a little WD40 or similar a few times prior to attempting. And leave it to soak for a minimum of several hours each time

Also, whack the top of the nipple with a hammer, it can help release tension on the threads before attempting to undo.

Patience is important.

And a good fitting spanner, socket, whatever, not cheap rubbish.

And of course suitable anti-seize when refitting

Use a deep 6 sided socket to loosen, not a spanner. Obviously once loose go ahead with the spanner.

Might be worth getting some heat into them (just go for a spirited drive beforehand) to just crack the nipples.

[ssray]

Plus gas much better than wd40, if they are really stuck diesel is goid

[TwinKam]

It's better to gently use a long lever (eg socket on a 15-18" breaker bar), than jerk a shorter one (eg standard spanner); the longer the lever the more control you will have, BUT don't use the leverage for torque, use it for 'feel'.

[Tommie38]

Have a backup plan if they break.

Where cars have two nipples on each caliper, garages often just undo the outer nipples to bleed

[lukeyman]

Tommie38 said:

Have a backup plan if they break.

Where cars have two nipples on each caliper, garages often just undo the outer nipples to bleed

Yeah, I found this out after stripping one on my Clio 197...

Can you get a decent bleed through without the inside nipple though?

[HustleRussell]

In my head a 6-point socket on a T-bar should be the ultimate tool for the job.

[stevieturbo]

lukeyman said:

Yeah, I found this out after stripping one on my Clio 197...

Can you get a decent bleed through without the inside nipple though?

If there is no air on that side, then yes.

If you are looking to flush the system, then no.

[lukeyman]

stevieturbo said:

lukeyman said:

Yeah, I found this out after stripping one on my Clio 197...

Can you get a decent bleed through without the inside nipple though?

If there is no air on that side, then yes.

If you are looking to flush the system, then no.

Cheers. I thought as much. A flush was the plan as part of a recommission but I'm losing my patience with it!