Front Bleeders rusted solid
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 214
Likes: 25
Front Bleeders rusted solid
I just completed replacing the main brake line from front to rear. Filled system, and bled rear brakes. I cannot for the life of me get the fronts to crack loose. I've soaked them in penetrant for a few nights now, and nothing. The system reservoir ran dry, so I'm assuming there is air in the front lines. Pedal feels strong, have driven it a few times with no issues. I did complete rotors/bearings/ calipers. . . on the front about 5 years ago. If I can't break the bleeders loose with penetrant and a deep wall socket on my 1/4" drive, I generally don't force it. I'm thinking of reefing on it with my 3/8" and then just putting calipers on it if I break it. How much air do you think is trapped in the system?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 4,597
Likes: 736
From: Chesterfield, VA
More than once over the years I've bled the rear brakes by loosening the fitting on the brake like to the rear wheel cylinder and then tightening it up again before the brake operator let up on the brake pedal. Always worked.
Not sure if I ever bled a disk brake caliper like that, but it might work.
Not sure if I ever bled a disk brake caliper like that, but it might work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
Pre-soak the bleeders with penetrating fluid and let set over night. Put the bleeder wrench on the bleeder and as you try to open it take a hammer and hit the caliper as close as possible to the bleeder several times. Also, it may be time for new calipers.
Ed
Ed
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 831
Likes: 171
From: Greenville, TX
Tons of solid advice here. Install speed bleeders the second you get that sucker opened up.
If it was me, I'd buy some "new" calipers from your local auto parts store, specifically something that has the longest warranty. I recently had to warranty my fronts as well from Autozone, and it was cake. If you pick some up, install the speed bleeders in them before you install them.
If it was me, I'd buy some "new" calipers from your local auto parts store, specifically something that has the longest warranty. I recently had to warranty my fronts as well from Autozone, and it was cake. If you pick some up, install the speed bleeders in them before you install them.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 20
speed bleeders
Its been my experience that not all calipers have the same threads on the bleeders. I have speed bleeders on my 02 E350, but the thread sizes are not necessarily the same on rebuilt calipers. They may drill and tap oversize if they get damaged cores to rebuild. Make sure of the correct size before buying new bleeders.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
I just completed replacing the main brake line from front to rear. Filled system, and bled rear brakes. I cannot for the life of me get the fronts to crack loose. I've soaked them in penetrant for a few nights now, and nothing. The system reservoir ran dry, so I'm assuming there is air in the front lines. Pedal feels strong, have driven it a few times with no issues. I did complete rotors/bearings/ calipers. . . on the front about 5 years ago. If I can't break the bleeders loose with penetrant and a deep wall socket on my 1/4" drive, I generally don't force it. I'm thinking of reefing on it with my 3/8" and then just putting calipers on it if I break it. How much air do you think is trapped in the system?
You’ll likely have to do a mutilectomy to get the fitting out with the hope the threads are the same. If you tend to have luck like mine, I’d stop while I was ahead FWIW
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