Rusty stuck bleeder valves and bolts.

[Hans]

I recently tried a trick to free stuck bleeder valves (brakes) that I found on the internet. If you only have a propane torch you can do this.
1. Being careful not to heat where rubber is, heat the area around the stuck bleeder (you will obviously get the bleeder hot as well). Heat it pretty well. (about 2 minutes or so.)
2. While it is hot, stick a candle on it as close to the joint as possible. Let the candle melt in there for a while.
3. Take your wrench and carefully loosen it up.
I was amazed how well this worked. Used it on two stuck bleeders.
I had previously broken off the pinch bolt for the damper fork on my 99 Civic. Common problem. I bought a replacement from a salvage yard and had the one with the broken bolt sitting in the garage. For the hell of it I tried to get the frozen bolt with the broken off head out of the damper fork by using the candle method. I cut a slot in the protruding end with a hack saw so I could get a screwdriver on it. Then I heated it and put the candle on it and tried using a hand held impact driver on it with a flat blade screwdriver bit. TO MY AMAZEMENT IT CAME OUT. Folks this works like magic. Just wanted to share that.

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[Wyr Twister]

Are the bleeder screws stainless steel ? Would that help ?

It has been at least a year or two since I have broken one . Rear drum brakes . I replaced the wheel cylinder .

That said , I have found P B Blaster to be pretty good to help prevent this . But not always .

God bless
Wyr

[Author]

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