Frozen front caliper bleeder valves. Repair or Replace?

[02redz28]

Hello everyone.

I was attempting to flush the brake lines on my 2002 z28 yesterday and was successful in flushing the rear lines and calipers. However, when I got to the front, both of the bleeder valves are frozen. I tried penetrating oil and some heat but I didn't want to get carried away with that while they were attached to the car still. Any ideas or do I need to invest in a new set of calipers? I feel like I'm going to round off the top of the valves if I lean on them any more than I've done already.

LMK what you think.

[TB2]

Normally if the calipers have been on the car long enough that the bleeders are frozen up with rust. Their probably isn't much life left in them anyways. Too much heat and you will cook the seals inside.

[MP81]

New calipers. Cheap enough.

I just went through this with the Cavalier. The bleeder valve actually just tore itself apart until I actually got something to grip it well enough, and it sheared right off.

[Boost Addict]

If you have access to a torch you could heat them up and 9 times out of 10 they come out with no problems

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[c0ncEpT]

If you have access to a torch you could heat them up and 9 times out of 10 they come out with no problems

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Hes talking about a real torch to. Those toy propane torches only make you feel better about yourself. MAP gas might get the job if you don't have access to oxy/acetylene.

[zeeman]

Yeah propane isn't hot enough, use mapp gas, the yellow cylinder.

Something else to try is to put presure on them with a wrench and smack the caliper body with a hammer, sharply. Sonetimes the shock will cause the bleader to pop loose.

[1BADAIR]

Pressure and air hammer

[02redz28]

I'm gonna get it back up in the air when the snow finally quits and take off both calipers and increase the level of terror on both until I break the valves or I win. Does anyone know the thread pattern if I need to drill them out and tap the holes?

[MP81]

I'm gonna get it back up in the air when the snow finally quits and take off both calipers and increase the level of terror on both until I break the valves or I win. Does anyone know the thread pattern if I need to drill them out and tap the holes?

From what I can find it's an M10x1.0 thread.

[Gregs_gsxr]

they are just calipers.... I also say just replace them now, it will save a headache and your own personal time is worth something over a dollar.

[cep89]

I have had luck using pen. oil and a 6 point box wrench and then turning them just a little tighter before backing them out.

[nascarnate326]

I say replace them.

[Darren]

Take them off and heat it up and get them out, done it many times, sometimes you win sometimes you don't. Then while your at it, rebuild the caliper... $10 or less for the basics is a lot better then $50+ for a new caliper...

[Gregs_gsxr]

so WTH happened he did get them loose, replace them, rebuild them ?

[NullHead]

Works wonders. Air hammers your impact socket onto the caliper body without applying any torque or effort to the bleeder. You air hammer the sh*t out of it, and gently use a wrench on the hex on the air hammer bit to turn the bleeder. Once it's out, a small bore brush to clean the threads, and replace the bleeder, cause if it's corroded into the caliper that badly, chances are the bleeder its self is clogged up anyways.