I had to replace the right rear caliper after one that was only three years old started hanging up. (The previous repair was away from home on a Sunday afternoon and I had no time to do my usual product research and had to buy whatever I could find to make the system work.) This time, I researched as many options as I could find and purchased a Centric rebuilt unit. The work is done in the US, and they only use OEM cores. Even the guys on the "bimmmer" forums recomended that brand and they are by far the whiniest bunch out there!

It seems fine except for one problem: The threads on the bleeder screw are so loose that I cannot use my vacuum bleeder. Because of time and use constraints I "gravity" bled the caliper and it is working fine, but I want to replace the bleeder with one that fits better--a LOT better! I replace brake fluid every two years as recommended and want to continue the routine I use. I really do NOT want to have to smear heavy grease around the bleeders. Grease and friction brakes just do not seem like a good pairing!

If I had realized the problem before the installation was complete, I would have tried the old bleeder in the bore to see if it fit better, and that is still an option. I am wondering if anyone can recommend a replacement brand (Russell maybe?) that they have had good luck with. I would rather pay more for the little buggers than mess with anything that even appears to be unbranded China junk!

 

I use a vacuum bleeder pot also and I've found that there aren't many bleeders that don't allow air to be sucked into the line. I've learned that a little teflon tape on the threads (not flare) seals the threads enough to get a good bleed. And in reality the air being sucked into the bleeder hose doesn't get into the caliper so it's kind of moot. The bleed is still good it's just you don't get to see clear fluid.

 

Thanks. I've had the same experience as you have with small air leaks, but this new bleeder is much worse! A little seepage? No problem. But this bleeder is so loose it won't let the pump pull fluid, even when barely cracked open!

I'll try teflon tape. Have you noticed any deterioration of the teflon from the brake fluid (DOT 3)? I will probably "let it ride" until the next scheduled bleed as the brakes are fine with no indication of air in the system. By then I'll decide what to replace the bleeders with.