Sheared off bleeder valve. Now what?

GusC2it · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 6:38 am Post subject:

I have done what Marlin sugested and it does work. But in MM's case, he poped the bottom bleeder, which is not needed. so carry on, and be careful with the top one. Cool

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75 type 2 http://gusc1.tripod.com/1975vwtype2
Old vices have now been upgraded to bad habits.
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Desertbusman · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 6:41 pm Post subject:

Forget about it.
The top one is the bleeder and that's where you bleed it. The bottom one is a drain valve only and is real nice when you drain all the fluid. But it has nothing to do with bleeding the air. Air bubbles still rise these days. Wink

If it's broken off in the closed position it is closed and that's all you are concerned about. A drain is a nice feature when you want to flush out all the old stuff however since some calipers don't have them obviously it's not required that they must have them.
Left and right calipers absolutely shouldn't be switched left to right. That has to do with the mounting holes and the mounting bolts. You are good to go with yours. If it had been a top bleeder than you would have a problem and have to remove and replace the bleeder.
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71 Superbug
71 Westy

Malokin Martin · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 6:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks again for all the feedback. I was pretty bummed when it happened, but I've gotten over it. Classic DIY mistake that ends up costing more in the end. I just kind of sat there and staired at it for a bit after it happened with a dumb "caveman" look. Wish I had video.

Atleast it didn't happen when it was open. Lived to tell about it!

Chris Vellat · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject:

A couple bleeders were frozen on our old Ford pick-up and I had to change the master and some lines, when I went to bleed I didn't dare break them, so we bled the lines right upto the calipers and everything turned-out A-OK that time around.

Right? no...but it's been that way for a year and I've got the garage clean enough to fix it (not just bandage) now Wink

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(3) '69's
'67 Baja
'74 Super
'73 Bay
(2) '77's

zzhayward · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:29 pm Post subject:

You can bleed some brakes by using the flare nut (where the steel line goes into the caliper) as the bleeder.

Desertbusman · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:53 pm Post subject:

Yes, if the line connects at the very top. Which it doesn't on a VW.
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71 Superbug
71 Westy

GusC2it · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:13 am Post subject:

1975 Kombi · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:26 am Post subject:

I had an old mechanic give me a tip one time about dealing with old bleeders. To tap it in with a heavy hammer before you try to turn it to break the grip on the threads but not bend the bleeder or damage the bleeder. Then tighten the bleeder slight to break it completely loose and then loosen the bleeder. I would also replace any 30 year old bleeder with a new one if it looks rough at all and add a slight dab of anti-seize on the threads for the future. Just some thoughts.
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Brett

“He’s decieving you boy! Reach into his pocket and take what he’s got.” Mr. Crabbs.

75 Westy auto
03 Jetta TDI
71 SB
74 Westy
Licensed pilot (single engine land VFR)
--
Rust In Pieces: 72 Bug, 73 Bug, 81 Rabbit LS D 2D, 83 Rabbit D 2D, 84 Jetta TD GL, 85 Jetta D, 68 Z28 RS 302, 91 Passat 16v

david_594 · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:11 am Post subject:

If your going to attempt to drill it, I would try and find some left handed drill bits for it.
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1968 westy weekender
2000 jetta tdi
79 vespa p200e

germansupplyscott · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:01 pm Post subject:

has anyone pointed out that since it's the lower bleeder you can almost forget about and just leave it alone. the lower bleeder is not needed for bleeding the caliper so as long as the upper bleeder is OK then the brakes will bleed fine.
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SL

Desertbusman · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:11 pm Post subject:

GusC2it · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

GusC2it · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:21 pm Post subject:

scott, maybe you can answer what really is the difference between a right and left calibre? Perhaps I was wrong in saying the the purpose of an upper and lower bleeder was so the calibre could be used on either side. I noticed that Bently says the the lower one could be used a a drain, however, I question the need for a drain valve. If one wants to flush the system, the upper valve would work just as well, and also purge any air.
_________________
75 type 2 http://gusc1.tripod.com/1975vwtype2
Old vices have now been upgraded to bad habits.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-Wild-Weekend-2011-St-Pete-Fl/197064760336111

VDubTech · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject:

GusC2it · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject:

Desertbusman · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject:

Drain valve is at the bottom and junk in the old fluid probably settles to the bottom. Plus it will drain the caliper. The top bleeder valve won't drain it.
So as far as left and right, if it's a one valve caliper the valve is at the top. But a two valve caliper gets people in trouble with the left and right. The issue is that left and right calipers are different because of the mounting bolts. The locating bolt (shoulder bolt) must be at the bottom and the clamping bolt (regular Hex Hd Cap Screw) is at the top. The caliper holes are different sizes for the 2 different bolts. It's the proper design that the caliper pulls on the locating bolt rather than pushing on it. Otherwise the bolts are apt to work loose.
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71 Superbug
71 Westy

GusC2it · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject:

VDubTech · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject:

Desertbusman · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:22 pm Post subject:


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