Brake bleeder screws stuck

[Fearthepack]

Trying to bleed front brakes both bleeders stuck, broke one off already. BB blasted for weeks. Any other ways. Can the broke one be drilled out and tapped? Where do you get new bleeder screws? Help

[TomB]

If there is any of the bleeder screw left sticking out the caliper I weld on another old bolt, the heat of welding releases them.

Or if you're not bothered too much if it looks original, and I did this on one of my XS's, you can fill in over the broken screw and paint it to hide it and then use a banjo bolt with bleed screw built in

[DiverRay]

Before you break another screw, try heating the caliper with a propane torch, and THEN use PB blaster, or better yet, 50/50 Acetone and ATF mixture to "cool down" around the bolt. The cooling will suck the oil into the threads, and help break the bolt loose.

[crazy steve]

Those banjo bolt bleeders can work, but they don't enter the caliper as high as the bleeder so getting all the air out can be a PITA unless you remove the caliper and 'turn' it so it is the highest point.

If your bleeders are that stuck, bite the bullet and rebuild the brakes. You probably need new pistons too. If you can't salvage the one caliper, contact Andreas here for a good used replacement (look in 'parts for sale'). Just tell him which one, as while all the calipers use the same rebuild parts, they're machined for location (LF, RF, rear).

You can get new bleeders, Mike XS, 650 Central, PartsNMore all carry them, HVC cycle has new stainless steel pistons (eliminating the rust issue).

[Radioguylogs]

I didn't succeed

I broke one once.

Then broke off an Easy-Out in it.

Removed the Easy-Out and tried to drill progressively bigger hole, hoping to peel out the threads as I got close. Result was NG.

Finally re-threaded the hole, but the point of the new bleed screw didn't land exactly over the opening, so it leaked. Put in a small O-ring temporarily, but I know I have to go back and replace the caliper eventually.

But it certainly doesn't hurt to try whatever method if you have nothing to lose.

[Fearthepack]

Thanks for the suggestions it will be a little while before I tackle the brakes but wanted to form some ideas in my head in order to move forward.

[vedgar]

tap the head of the bleeder first with punch.

In the auto business, we always tap the head of a stuck bleeder after using penetrating oil. Even mushrooming it won,t bother it as it will be replaced.