FYI when installing calipers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
FYI when installing calipers
I'm helping a friend install a set of brake calipers. I have done this more than 20 times so I know the routine. I also spent a number of years running CNC machines and then as a quality supervisor for a CNC shop so I know how to measure things.
Anyway, I have noticed that the bleeder screws that come in calipers are different in the area below the threads that is just smooth. Some bleeders have threads farther down the screw than others. The location of the threads and depth of the bleeder bore has a small variance too (although not enough to be a problem unless used in conjunction with the bleeders with shorter threads). If you take your bleeder screws out and look carefully you may notice that only 1 thread holds those things in there in more than a few cases. In this case you can find, if you look enough, bleeder screws with threads farther down them. Replace the screws with these so that you get 2 or 3 threads holding those things in there.
This is not the first time (or the 2nd for that matter) that I have seen this problem. These calipers came from an extremely reputable vendor and if you've ever had to deal with warranty and these vendors you know that it's on par with a root canal.
I also had the guys at my local parts store get me a caliper in and we took the bleeder out and put in one of what I consider the bad bleeders and the same problem showed up so this is not just one vendor, it's a combination of the bleeder screws used and the castings themselves. Check this situation out before you start your caliper install and head the problem off before it is a problem.
Whenever I have a problem with something that is a common job on these cars I like to post it here. Maybe it doesn't do anything for you, maybe it helps you notice a problem. Either way I figure a little heads up never hurts. It only takes a minute to look if you are aware there may be a problem.
-Justin
Anyway, I have noticed that the bleeder screws that come in calipers are different in the area below the threads that is just smooth. Some bleeders have threads farther down the screw than others. The location of the threads and depth of the bleeder bore has a small variance too (although not enough to be a problem unless used in conjunction with the bleeders with shorter threads). If you take your bleeder screws out and look carefully you may notice that only 1 thread holds those things in there in more than a few cases. In this case you can find, if you look enough, bleeder screws with threads farther down them. Replace the screws with these so that you get 2 or 3 threads holding those things in there.
This is not the first time (or the 2nd for that matter) that I have seen this problem. These calipers came from an extremely reputable vendor and if you've ever had to deal with warranty and these vendors you know that it's on par with a root canal.
I also had the guys at my local parts store get me a caliper in and we took the bleeder out and put in one of what I consider the bad bleeders and the same problem showed up so this is not just one vendor, it's a combination of the bleeder screws used and the castings themselves. Check this situation out before you start your caliper install and head the problem off before it is a problem.
Whenever I have a problem with something that is a common job on these cars I like to post it here. Maybe it doesn't do anything for you, maybe it helps you notice a problem. Either way I figure a little heads up never hurts. It only takes a minute to look if you are aware there may be a problem.
-Justin
That is something I wouldn't have thought about checking. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Winter Haven Florida
I went to put my speed bleeders in and was not comfortable with the fit. The bleeder screws that were in the calipers from VB&P went in and out smooth. When I tried to put the speed bleeders in they were tougher and required a wrench to get in. I made sure I wasn't stripping the threads. I stopped and put the stockers back in. I'll deal with the bleeding process b/c I'm not trashing a good set of calipers(again).
Thanks for the info. I think my problem is the speed bleeders are just to thick.
Josh
Thanks for the info. I think my problem is the speed bleeders are just to thick.
Josh
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
I'm helping a friend install a set of brake calipers. I have done this more than 20 times so I know the routine. I also spent a number of years running CNC machines and then as a quality supervisor for a CNC shop so I know how to measure things.
Anyway, I have noticed that the bleeder screws that come in calipers are different in the area below the threads that is just smooth. Some bleeders have threads farther down the screw than others. The location of the threads and depth of the bleeder bore has a small variance too (although not enough to be a problem unless used in conjunction with the bleeders with shorter threads). If you take your bleeder screws out and look carefully you may notice that only 1 thread holds those things in there in more than a few cases. In this case you can find, if you look enough, bleeder screws with threads farther down them. Replace the screws with these so that you get 2 or 3 threads holding those things in there.
This is not the first time (or the 2nd for that matter) that I have seen this problem. These calipers came from an extremely reputable vendor and if you've ever had to deal with warranty and these vendors you know that it's on par with a root canal.
I also had the guys at my local parts store get me a caliper in and we took the bleeder out and put in one of what I consider the bad bleeders and the same problem showed up so this is not just one vendor, it's a combination of the bleeder screws used and the castings themselves. Check this situation out before you start your caliper install and head the problem off before it is a problem.
Whenever I have a problem with something that is a common job on these cars I like to post it here. Maybe it doesn't do anything for you, maybe it helps you notice a problem. Either way I figure a little heads up never hurts. It only takes a minute to look if you are aware there may be a problem.
-Justin
Anyway, I have noticed that the bleeder screws that come in calipers are different in the area below the threads that is just smooth. Some bleeders have threads farther down the screw than others. The location of the threads and depth of the bleeder bore has a small variance too (although not enough to be a problem unless used in conjunction with the bleeders with shorter threads). If you take your bleeder screws out and look carefully you may notice that only 1 thread holds those things in there in more than a few cases. In this case you can find, if you look enough, bleeder screws with threads farther down them. Replace the screws with these so that you get 2 or 3 threads holding those things in there.
This is not the first time (or the 2nd for that matter) that I have seen this problem. These calipers came from an extremely reputable vendor and if you've ever had to deal with warranty and these vendors you know that it's on par with a root canal.
I also had the guys at my local parts store get me a caliper in and we took the bleeder out and put in one of what I consider the bad bleeders and the same problem showed up so this is not just one vendor, it's a combination of the bleeder screws used and the castings themselves. Check this situation out before you start your caliper install and head the problem off before it is a problem.
Whenever I have a problem with something that is a common job on these cars I like to post it here. Maybe it doesn't do anything for you, maybe it helps you notice a problem. Either way I figure a little heads up never hurts. It only takes a minute to look if you are aware there may be a problem.
-Justin
