Brake bleeder corrosion
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
Brake bleeder corrosion
Took my c7 base model in for rear rotors and pad replacement and fluid flush. 59,000+ mi. My mechanic couldn't get some of the bleeders out because of corrosion. Apparently the Italians (Brembo) have not heard of stainless steel. One caliper was ruined because the corrosion was so bad. $800+ to replace To make things worse my extended warranty wouldn't cover "corrosion". Anyone had this same problem?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 486
From: NY
I have not had the same problem on my Corvette since it is only a three season car, though I have a possible solution for you going forward: spray your calipers, brackets and brake hardware with Amsoil Heavy Duty Metal Protector or similar product. Amsoil HDMP is an aerosol of oil, wax and solvent which sprays on as a liquid and dries to a brownish/yellowish wax-like coating. Obviously be careful not to spray this on the rotors. No, I am not a rep for Amsoil.
I did this with my 2010 Mazda 3 daily driver shortly after I bought it in 2010. Despite living in the northeast with heavy road salt used, my calipers and brake hardware are still rust free - including the bleed screws. I reapply each spring or summer as needed, so now the coated parts look dark brown/gray or black. I also use on nearly everything underneath the car, including the engine compartment, door frames and wheel wells.
I did this with my 2010 Mazda 3 daily driver shortly after I bought it in 2010. Despite living in the northeast with heavy road salt used, my calipers and brake hardware are still rust free - including the bleed screws. I reapply each spring or summer as needed, so now the coated parts look dark brown/gray or black. I also use on nearly everything underneath the car, including the engine compartment, door frames and wheel wells.
Last edited by EVRGRN; Dec 8, 2020 at 12:47 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Yes I had the same problem on my Z51 
So I replaced them all with SS bleed nipples from Pro-Bolt, link below part #SSBN10-4 (M10x1.00mm size)
https://www.probolt-usa.com/stainles...k-x4-ssbn10-4/
So I replaced them all with SS bleed nipples from Pro-Bolt, link below part #SSBN10-4 (M10x1.00mm size)
https://www.probolt-usa.com/stainles...k-x4-ssbn10-4/
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Yes I had the same problem on my Z51
So I replaced them all with SS bleed nipples from Pro-Bolt, link below part #SSBN10-4 (M10x1.00mm size)
https://www.probolt-usa.com/stainles...k-x4-ssbn10-4/
So I replaced them all with SS bleed nipples from Pro-Bolt, link below part #SSBN10-4 (M10x1.00mm size)
https://www.probolt-usa.com/stainles...k-x4-ssbn10-4/
Any leak/drip issues with track use?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
Ford extended warranty
Thanks for that info. Another problem is that my extended warranty ins won't pay because they don't cover "corrosion". I'm going to call them and explain that a part failed and caused the corrosion. I guess if you broke a rod bolt and threw a rod they would say the don't cover broken fasteners. I have Ford extended warranty ins because I bought the car used from a Ford dealer and they gave me a good price on the insurance. They have paid for a trunk actuator and heater diverter ($1300+). They had to remove the whole dash.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 198
From: Clarksville TN
Wilwood makes a bleeder that’s made of a brass bushing with a plastic bleeder. Mixing stainless with aluminum will cause corrosion as well because dissimilar metals.
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.co...-and-aluminum/
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.co...-and-aluminum/
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 119
From: tempe Arizona
Wilwood makes a bleeder that’s made of a brass bushing with a plastic bleeder. Mixing stainless with aluminum will cause corrosion as well because dissimilar metals.
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.co...-and-aluminum/
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.co...-and-aluminum/
Almost correct. Was going to offer this up as an alternate as well. The M1 x 1.0 brass fitting for many Wilwood calipers can be fit to any M10 caliper so long as the thread is acceptable length.
The bleeder nipple inside the brass is 1/4-20 (steel) and like others can rust in time but replacing that doesn't lead to potential damage to the caliper body- the reason for the 2pc bleeder.
The upper set is M10 here. The under hex length to the start of the tapered seat is about 14mm
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
None that I've noticed 
Does anyone know what metal the factory bleeders are made from? I was amazed how easily mine snapped. They broke while I was opening them up to bleed so maybe the previous owner or a service tech over tighten them
aluminum is soft so you need to be careful. Inspecting them I noticed they looked very discolored which is why I went with stainless.
Does anyone know what metal the factory bleeders are made from? I was amazed how easily mine snapped. They broke while I was opening them up to bleed so maybe the previous owner or a service tech over tighten them
aluminum is soft so you need to be careful. Inspecting them I noticed they looked very discolored which is why I went with stainless.Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski