Darn you bleeder screw!!

[Privatejoker86]

So picture it...the place: my driveway. The time: yesterday.

I'm getting ready to bleed my slave cylinder. Everyone says to make sure the bleeder is at 12 o'clock. I can't figure that part out, but I start anyway. I just start to turn and CRACK, my bleeder screw is in half. Are these any kind of standard size?

Thoughts?

[ossodiseppia]

I don't see why you couldn't get one at NAPA. Did you get the other half out?

[Privatejoker86]

I haven't gone there yet. I hope I can, but I didn't want to pull the other half out since it wasn't leaking...yet.

Thought someone else might have had the experience and would know if it was an easily replaceable part.

[JoeCab]

In my experience, the bleeder screw material is so soft that you can't use anything like an EZ Out (isn't that an oxymoron) on a broken one. If there is enough material sticking above the cylinder surface try to get a grip on it with vice grips or similar.

[Privatejoker86]

That's no good....there's nothing sticking out.

[BigSwede]

MIG welder, weld a nut on there and just screw it out, the heat will loosen it to.
Probably will screw the seals though but it is the only method I've ever been successful with, have used it on probably 20 bleed screws on brake calipers 100% success rate.

Is that you John Wayne? Is this me?

[ossodiseppia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSwede MIG welder, weld a nut on there and just screw it out, the heat will loosen it to. Probably will screw the seals though but it is the only method I've ever been successful with, have used it on probably 20 bleed screws on brake calipers 100% success rate. Is that you John Wayne? Is this me?

[sono veL.O.ce]

If you do buy a new one, you could then try to remove the offensive bit with the slave on your workbench instead of from underneath the car. If then you are successful, you'll have a decent spare, or something to trade.

since you'll be replacing the bleeder, consider getting one of the one-man speed bleeders, Its the same bleeding nipple with a check valve in it so you simply loosen and pump. no repetitive twist-pump-twist.

Or even better a pressurized bleeder tool from motive(?). I have one, and use it to keep the fluids fresh (once a year), I can do brakes at all corners and the clutch in less than 20min. without a helper. Its great.

Good luck!

[sono veL.O.ce]

Oooh, one more Idea! you could try to cut a cross in it with a dremel or something and then try to remove it with a phillips head screwdriver. Put some penetrating oil there the night before..

I feel for you man, I just hate broken hardware!

Once again, good luck!
-

[Duke58]

Private Joker,

You had best sound off that you do love your Alfa...