C2 front caliper

[Tim L.]

After servicing the rear brakes on my 66, started bleeding system and disaster hit! Left front bleeder screw twisted off. Can this caliper be saved? It is the correct unit. Any good hints?

Thanks for any advise.
Not a happy camper!
Tim

[Ray G.]

Re: C2 front caliper

Hello Tim;
It can be done.

Easy outs sometimes work. Heat is not a good idea because of the seal damage.
Blow the dirt out of the broken bleeder and soak the corroded threads w/ penetrating oil.
When the bleeder broke it stretched the threads. So take a punch and rap the bleeder sharply on the broken end trying only to hit the bleeder.

If that fails:

Look at the bleeder from the other side of the car. Notice the threads don't go all the way into the bleeder hole. Start w/ a small drill slightly larger than the hollow bleeder. Before drilling put a stop on the drill bit like a piece of wood dowel. That way the bit can't hit the bleeder screw seat in the caliper. Notice the tread size on the replacement bleeder and work up to that drill size slowly.
I'd be happy to talk to you about this.
Ray

[Tim L.]

Re: C2 front caliper

Ray,
Thanks for making my day a little brighter with your suggestions! I'm assuming the best course of action is to remove the caliper assembly from the car. Can both of these proceedures be done without removing the pistons and seals. How do I prevent any metal debris from entering during the process? Is the replacement bleeder screw a common part I'll be able to get at the corner parts store? Thanks for your time on this.

Tim

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 front caliper

Always remember to try a LH bit when you are attempting to drill the bleeder out.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 front caliper

Tim----

You can leave the caliper on the car with the "Easy-Out" method. If it works, you're done. If you have to use other methods, I'd remove the caliper. In fact, I'd probably disassemble it. It's not that hard to disassemble the caliper.

Bleeder valves for your application are no longer available from GM. However, you should be able to obtain a serviceable replacement, if not of exact configuration, replacement from an auto parts store. Take one of the good bleeder valves and match it up.

Torque for the bleeder valves is 90 INCH/pounds. Use much more than that and you WILL "twist them off".

[Tim L.]

Re: C2 front caliper

Thanks Joe for the infomation. I'll be trying the "easy-out" method this weekend.

Tim

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 front caliper

Tim-----

You need to be VERY, VERY careful in trying the "Easy-Out". Most often, these things won't work. Plus, the one you need for this job is a very small size. It will break very easily. Then, you may have a problem greater than the one you had before trying the "Easy-Out" because you may have a stuck piece of the "Easy-Out" in the bleeder.

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 front caliper

Drill the thing out using a slightly larger bit each time until you just start seeing threads. You can then pick the rest of the screw out with a sharp pick. The lower section of the bleeder will fall out because it is smaller in diameter than the threads. This will preserve the sealing surface at the bottom of the hole.

[Chris Patrick]

throw the EZ outs away - an oxymoron

If you were tightening the bleeder and snapped it, the EZ out will take it out. But if you snapped it when trying to open it because it rusted solid, the EZ out will only add to your problems.

Wayne and Dick both have good advice. Get a LH drill bit and a reverse running drill. Use a slow speed and keep a little grease on the bit to collect chips.

Before any drilling, remove a good bleeder and measure the depth of the hole with the drill bit and mark it with tape. This way you will know when to stop so you do not cut the seat. Put the caliper in a vise and use a steady hand, or mount it in a drill press if you don't.

Soak it overnight with PB Blaster and drill slowly and carefully. If the top is broken irregular, take a file and smooth it flat so that the drill bit will not walk and will follow the bleed hole as a pilot hole.

NAPA has a good source of various bleed screws. If you mess up, you may have to go to the next size up. That really isn't a big deal, but try to stay with the smaller one first.