Thread compound for brake components
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 168
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From: Auburn Hills Mi
Thread compound for brake components
Hello
I will be doing a caliper and flexible line change in the next few days. I have a set of the SSBC Tri-Power calipers and the Goodrige flexible hoses with the AN style fittings. I am wondering if it is necessary to use something to prep the threads of the bleeder screws and the fitting that connects the caliper to the flexible brake line. I saw some were using a thread prep compound on the speed bleeders in order to prevent leaks. Is this necessary? It does not say anything about this in the instructions that came with the calipers...
I will be doing a caliper and flexible line change in the next few days. I have a set of the SSBC Tri-Power calipers and the Goodrige flexible hoses with the AN style fittings. I am wondering if it is necessary to use something to prep the threads of the bleeder screws and the fitting that connects the caliper to the flexible brake line. I saw some were using a thread prep compound on the speed bleeders in order to prevent leaks. Is this necessary? It does not say anything about this in the instructions that came with the calipers...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The stock bleed valves don't have any sort of thread sealer on them and none is really necessary if they are not going to be opened frequently to bleed brakes.
"Speed Bleeders" do come with a thread sealant as those bleeders are designed to be loosened and tightened for them to be used for frequent bleeding. The sealer works to keep air from entering the system through the threads. But even this sealer compound will lose its effectiveness after 8-10 cycles and that is why Speed Bleeder sells a small bottle of sealant to re-apply as necessary.
It's not necessary to put any sealant on the threads of the Goodridge hoses. Make sure the caliper threads and the threads on the hard line are clean and dry. Use a line wrench to tighten the hoses.
"Speed Bleeders" do come with a thread sealant as those bleeders are designed to be loosened and tightened for them to be used for frequent bleeding. The sealer works to keep air from entering the system through the threads. But even this sealer compound will lose its effectiveness after 8-10 cycles and that is why Speed Bleeder sells a small bottle of sealant to re-apply as necessary.
It's not necessary to put any sealant on the threads of the Goodridge hoses. Make sure the caliper threads and the threads on the hard line are clean and dry. Use a line wrench to tighten the hoses.
Last edited by c4cruiser; Jun 7, 2006 at 11:44 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: Morganton, NC, USA
Look at the ends of brake bleeder screws. They are a conical shape with a small hole in the center. They mate up and seal against a matching conical hole in the caliper body, making a good metal to metal seal. The SSBC tripower calipers come with 3 bleeder screws, which I assume allows them to be mounted on either the left or right side of the car. They also have one in the middle of the caliper, which would be necessary if the caliper were mounted at the 6 o'clock position of the wheel. When mounted, you should only use the top most bleeder screw, leaving the other two tight. I emailed SSBC asking about this, but never gor a response. It's also unfortunate that they didn't supply rubber nipple caps for these. You can get these at NAPA for about $ 4 for a set of 2, but you would need 6 of them at $12.
