Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Omega Nige on 23 October 2016, 21:52:34

Title: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Omega Nige on 23 October 2016, 21:52:34
I was bleeding the brake fluid and snapped off a nipple. Only managed to crack one open, the others are too tight and I didn't want to snap another one off! What's the best way to extract the broken one and free off the others. :-[ Thanks :y
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Andy B on 23 October 2016, 21:58:44
.... What's the best way to extract the broken one and free off the others. :-[ Thanks :y

I can only suggest a load of Plusgas or similar on the seized nipples.

The broken nipple will need careful drilling out ..... if it was tight enough to shear the nipple, an 'Easy Out' will struggle too or the easiest way is by replacing it
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 23 October 2016, 22:03:46
Careful use of an easy out or a suitable drill should do it ;)

Ring spanners or deep six sided sockets are best for slackening them, then use a pipe spanner :y
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Nick W on 23 October 2016, 22:08:16
Remember the correct way to use an easy-out: clamp it in the vice and snap it in half before you put it near anything important. ;)
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 23 October 2016, 22:14:16
Remember the correct way to use an easy-out: clamp it in the vice and snap it in half before you put it near anything important. ;)
Well there's that :D
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: terry paget on 23 October 2016, 22:23:03
I have ofter faced this problem on used cars. My technique is to hammer the caliper around the the nipple to break up the rust. Then get a deep socket on the nippple  get a T shaped handle on the socket to apply an even torque, then apply gentle torque. If it does not budge I start again with the hammer. Be aware that if you snap it off you have a problem, best solved by changing the caliper.

 With this technique I have not lost a caliper in 12 years.
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Andy B on 23 October 2016, 22:50:03
Careful use of an easy out or ....

But as above, if the nipple was tight enough to shear, an easy out is likely to spread the remnants of the nipple before it unscrewed
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Omega Nige on 23 October 2016, 23:11:38
Thanks for your comments I'll give it a go, looks like it will not be straightforward.
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: terry paget on 24 October 2016, 07:44:15
One of the joys in my life is successfully removing stubborn nuts and screws. I used to break them all off, disastrous. On exhaust nuts and  many others the trick is to use heat; can't do that on brake nipples. My above technique always works for me. I keep a set of spare calipers as backup, but have never had cause to use it.
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: tigers_gonads on 24 October 2016, 18:00:28
Get a ball pin hammer and gently t wat the ends a few times to break up any crap on the threads first.
As said, always use a 8mm open ring / brake pipe spanner  ;)
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: biggriffin on 25 October 2016, 06:56:05
 saw the thread, and thought stemo's been posting in wrong sextion again ;D
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 25 October 2016, 09:44:18
Snapped one using a deepdrive socket. I think it's because the force wasn't just in turning, but in the 'shear' force applied with the ratchet. A spanner applies only a turning force at that [pivot] point. Ok, for example undo a nut with ratchet and socket, then undo the same using a 10" extension - you have to support the extension/hold the ratchet to keep it 90o to the nut, otherwise it'd just slip right off. This is the same with a socket and the bleed nipple, it's being bent as well as turned.

I think this is the physics, hope I've explained it in a way that's reasonably fathomable!  :D


I did the rest with the correct sized spanner, all came out fine. Got spares from the scrapyard, again, with spanner, came out fine.  :)
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: robson on 29 October 2016, 12:29:04
What is the science between using an open ended ring spanner as against a normal ring spanner on a brake nipple?
Title: Re: Bleeding nipples
Post by: Nick W on 29 October 2016, 13:06:47
What is the science between using an open ended ring spanner as against a normal ring spanner on a brake nipple?

You should use a spanner(or socket) that fits the fastener as closely as possible. A ring spanner is preferable wherever there is space for one. Brake pipe spanners have a slot to accommodate the pipe,  but still grip the easily rounded off fitting as much as possible. Consequently, they are not necessary for bleed nipples which are delicate for other reasons.

Brake pipes are cheap, so I find it easier and quicker to cut the pipe, remove the component and deal with the fittings on the bench. This will be necessary if you bugger up the fitting or pipe struggling with it on the car.

Bleed nipples are consumables, and new ones are only a few pence to buy.