Just keeps bleeding... and bleeding...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Just keeps bleeding... and bleeding...
I was bleeding my brakes today and I found that fluid keeps coming out of the bleeder screw in the left front caliper. After the front of the master cylinder completely drained 
, I removed the screw. At the inside end of the screw, the tapered seat appears to be scored. Apparently I tightened it too much when closing it. I plan to replace the screw, but is that likely to fix the problem? That is, did I hose the caliper when I did this?
Of course, I'm going to bench bleed the master cylinder when I start this process again...
, I removed the screw. At the inside end of the screw, the tapered seat appears to be scored. Apparently I tightened it too much when closing it. I plan to replace the screw, but is that likely to fix the problem? That is, did I hose the caliper when I did this?Of course, I'm going to bench bleed the master cylinder when I start this process again...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
cracked caliper
Hi, A few years back when the brakes got sh***y on my ' 80 I found that the rear pass. side caliper had gone bad, the only one ,as I had already replaced the rest of them (piecemeal). I bought a caliper from advance and put it on and in my enthusiasm I overtightened the bleeder screw and wound up cracking the caliper slightly,,, but just enough to make it leak. Apparently the casting is rather weak in the area of the bleeder screw. BTW,,, my bleeders were steel, not brass. So maybe you oughta check close to see if there are any cracks causing your problems,,,,,,,,,Peace,,, Craig 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Arghhhh! I'm pretty sure that I was using a stainless bleeder.
It's an O-ring caliper from Eckler's that I coated with that red epoxy paint that costs $40 for the kit. So, you know I'm not going to be very happy if I have to replace the caliper, because it's a lot more work than just bolting it in and bleeding it and calling it a day.
So how can I tell if there's a crack? Should I pull the caliper for this? I know I'll be able to see the area around the bleeder screw a lot better if I can put the caliper on my workbench.
It's an O-ring caliper from Eckler's that I coated with that red epoxy paint that costs $40 for the kit. So, you know I'm not going to be very happy if I have to replace the caliper, because it's a lot more work than just bolting it in and bleeding it and calling it a day.
So how can I tell if there's a crack? Should I pull the caliper for this? I know I'll be able to see the area around the bleeder screw a lot better if I can put the caliper on my workbench.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
I bought some teflon coated steel bleeders from Muskegon. You might have better luck with them. They are probably a little softer material than your stainless ones and may therefore form to the hole better for a good seal. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Nooooooooooooo!
Well, I just looked into the caliper with a light and a mirror, and it looks like I chewed up the seat inside the caliper. It's scored and there are a couple of jagged chunks of metal around the edges. Is there any hope, or am I going to have to bite the bullet and replace the caliper?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
You may have a chance in saving your money, this happened to me about a month ago, I did pass on my discoveries on the forom,, its up tu you if you want to try it or not, but this is what I did. I when't into my fishing tackle and got one of those small lead ***** that are split half way, I cut it in half and inserted it in the caliper and screwed the bleeder ontop of it. It formed itself to the contours of the defects at the bottom and seals perfectly,, also the bleeder stays functional. 
