Brake bleeder flowing when.

65tiger

65tiger

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Jun 18, 2013
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I was bleeding my front brake on my '71 and I started getting a nice firm lever. I tightened the bleeder up one last time and it kept allowing fluid through as if the bleeder was still open. I removed the bleeder and the fitting it screws into and cleaned it all. No joy. Still allows fluid to pass as if it were open. I have one on order since the head is mangled from the previous owner. Is this normal? I've never had a bleeder act this way. Hoping the seat inside the caliper is okay. Thanks in advance.
 
Most just have a tapered seat and the bleeder screw as well with a hole drilled sideways and in the middle , I had an adapter once that didn't seal to well it was more to do with the thread and the tube nut running out of thread , it would have sealed if the double flare was thicker . Cheers
 
65tiger said:
I removed the bleeder and the fitting it screws into and cleaned it all.
Click to expand...
The bleeder screw should screw directly into the caliper if a standard Norton/Lockheed caliper. The bleeder should be pointed and there is no "seat" in the caliper - just a hole that leads to the inner side of the caliper.
 
Got a new bleeder today. Same issue. When tightened into the caliper it flows fluid even when shut. It's as if the hole in the bleeder is not blanked off when the bleeder is tight.
 
65tiger said:
Got a new bleeder today. Same issue. When tightened into the caliper it flows fluid even when shut. It's as if the hole in the bleeder is not blanked off when the bleeder is tight.
Click to expand...
Not via the threads, it flows out of the top of the bleeder as if it were open
 
65tiger said:
Got a new bleeder today. Same issue. When tightened into the caliper it flows fluid even when shut. It's as if the hole in the bleeder is not blanked off when the bleeder is tight.
Click to expand...
The hole in the bleeder does not get blanked off. The end of the bleeder blocks the passage. If you still have an adapter, you should not have. Look in the caliper - you'll see a hole about 1/8" in diameter - the point of the bleed screw blocks that. If that hole is enlarged, go to the local auto parts store and find a bleeder screw with the same threads but a larger diameter pointed end. Often it will come in an assortment pack of about 6 bleeder screws.
 
I'll try that, that's a great idea, thanks! Got a new stocker today and it certainly didn't do the job! Appreciate the help
 
There should be a narrow chamfer or seat inside the caliper, onto which the taper on the end of the bleed nipple seats and seals when tightened. Perhaps there is some crud on that?
I had a similar problem once, so what I did was to remove the thread on a spare bleed screw (only enough so it would pass into the body without catching the thread), then put it in my battery drill, apply a tiny bit of grinding paste to the tip and and give it a quick spin until I could see the seat was a nice even colour.

EDIT, I just looked back at the post I'd made. I did not use grinding paste, but simply cut a slot in the taper, and then span it in the drill. (grinding past may well work as well though).

cliffa

Post in thread 'Caliper bleed nipple'

marinatlas said:
Did you find a 3/8 BSF bleed nipple ?
Click to expand...
I did, if you need one I have a spare.


Here's a picture of the modified nipple...

Brake bleeder flowing when.
 
Last edited:
It looks like after a good cleaning that the "seat" is cracked and that there is not much hope of the tapered end doing it's job. Have to think on this one. Thanks for the replies
 

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I was thinking of that, they have some off the shelf bleeder repair kits but I don't have any idea if the fitting would just thread up or need tapping. Definitely going to look into that, thanks.
 
65tiger said:
I was thinking of that, they have some off the shelf bleeder repair kits but I don't have any idea if the fitting would just thread up or need tapping. Definitely going to look into that, thanks.
Click to expand...
Not likely to be the same thread ? but that won't matter as long as it's a bit bigger and looks ok when finished . Cheers
 
So, first off thanks for all the suggestions and input. It's really a nice place, this forum.
Victory was achieved finally. Not everyone may approve but it worked for me. I picked up a brake bleeder repair kit

Dorman part #13915 1/4-7/16" (7-10mm) for $11

They are usually in the "help" section of the major auto parts stores in the USA. The smaller fitting threaded in to the caliper, but very tightly fyi. It's made to be a drilled and tapped install but I didn't do that. I bled the brakes and it's leak free. Even looks stock.

Thanks again!
 

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