Replaced brake lines and just needed to bleed the brakes.

Finished the two rear and got to the passenger front, where I felt the flare nut wrench start slipping. I switched to a 6-point socket and it slipped again. Propane torched it and PB blasted it - tried again a little while later to no avail.

I'm at the point where the bleeder screw is now rounded.
My question is, is there anything else I can do here (without making it worse) before getting it towed to a shop?

I don't have a welder.


Thanks,
Sapperton

 

Use the blowtorch on the caliper, and then use a vice grips to turn the bleeder. I've had to do this, and it worked for me. If it's so seized that it twists off, you'll need to replace the caliper (it's just not worth trying to get it machined out).

 

It's simple to replace the caliper and you can get bleeder screws at the auto parts store too so don't stress over that. Try one of those sockets that grips on the sides and not the corners.... They got them at the auto parts store too.... They got a number of items made to help you with rounded over or such nuts

When you go get one of those special wrenches or sockets go ahead and pick up a caliper too and if you can't get it off just replace the caliper. Don't mess with heat xcept as last redsort or you may just end up ruining the caliper seal anyway

 

Took a break for lunch and thought about it some more.
Around 70 bucks for a caliper seems a lot better than a tow to the shop.

Anyway, went at it with some PB blaster and torching and no dice. It's even more rounded now. Ah well. Time for a new caliper!

 

They make extractor sockets too.... that twist/cut into the bolt to grip it...that would be worth the try before you replace the caliper... If you had it but the set is probably prohibitive to buy compared to the caliper.

 

I would clamp vise grips with rounded jaws on it, add some heat and continue to try to twist it out. The vise grips need to be very tight or they will continue to round it.

Apply force while heating using steady pressure. Direct heat at the caliper not the bleeder. Spray while hot, on the bleeder and if you can, spray penetrant into the open end of the bleeder.

I personally would keep trying until it broke off flush.

 

You could also give it a good wack with a hammer (you can't hurt it any more) a wack on the head @ least my wake it up Har Har....then try a tighten loosen motion with round vise grips....Good Luck next step is a new caliper if it don't come out or breaks....

 

Shouldn't even slow you down with a new one hand...heat and vice grip off. Never fails ime.

 

Vice grips.

 

vice grips - get them on as tight as you can - big pair of VG's