Stripped bleeder
Stripped bleeder
Well i stripped my front bleeder valve on my dyna today...i went thriught this 2 yrs ago after an accent. i put a new bleeder in then . (NOW BEFORE YA LL START I JUST ORDERED SPEED BLEEDERS TONITE!!) i have it soaking in wd-40 overnite ....i used a flare wrench and it started to strip...then went to vice grips all to no avail...just kept making it smaller ...i hate these things! any tips on getting it out??
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
I find it hard to believe that you can't break it loose with vise-grips. Are you using Harbor Freight (or the like) vise-grips?
One suggestion I can make is to give the bleeder a few sharp whacks with a hammer, then try the vise-grips again. And if you are using a cheap set - get some better ones.
If that doesn't work, then try some heat.
One suggestion I can make is to give the bleeder a few sharp whacks with a hammer, then try the vise-grips again. And if you are using a cheap set - get some better ones.
If that doesn't work, then try some heat.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
Use the regular jawed grips. If it even feels like it's starting to slip, stop and tighten those suckers more.
One other thing, and I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but are you sure you're turning in the right direction?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 827
Likes: 3
From: NW Florida
Sorry but Harbor Freight Needle Nose Vise Grips were probably not the best thing to put on that bleed fitting. I don't even believe you can purchase a pair of vise grips made in the USA any longer, but Harbor Freight.....
Try to get a bite on it after soaking with a regular pair of vise grips, with the rounded, or snub nose, and slowly work it back and forth while spraying it every now and then and hopefully you will work it out. Hopefully it's not too far gone. That's is how I've always gotten them out. Good luck!
Try to get a bite on it after soaking with a regular pair of vise grips, with the rounded, or snub nose, and slowly work it back and forth while spraying it every now and then and hopefully you will work it out. Hopefully it's not too far gone. That's is how I've always gotten them out. Good luck!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
To hell with WD-40, getcha some PB-Blaster. Spray it on, go take a smoke break, come back and give-her a spin.......almost always works for me.
Also, when a bleeder just seems too bloody tight, I stop before I totally trash it and put a socket wrench on to break her. It seems that the more surface area that is on the hex the better....ja know?
Also, when a bleeder just seems too bloody tight, I stop before I totally trash it and put a socket wrench on to break her. It seems that the more surface area that is on the hex the better....ja know?
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Don't use the needle nose type. I can see why those would slip, you can't get enough pressure on those jaws especially out near the tip.
Use the regular jawed grips. If it even feels like it's starting to slip, stop and tighten those suckers more.
One other thing, and I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but are you sure you're turning in the right direction?
Use the regular jawed grips. If it even feels like it's starting to slip, stop and tighten those suckers more.
One other thing, and I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but are you sure you're turning in the right direction?
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To hell with WD-40, getcha some PB-Blaster. Spray it on, go take a smoke break, come back and give-her a spin.......almost always works for me.
Also, when a bleeder just seems too bloody tight, I stop before I totally trash it and put a socket wrench on to break her. It seems that the more surface area that is on the hex the better....ja know?
Also, when a bleeder just seems too bloody tight, I stop before I totally trash it and put a socket wrench on to break her. It seems that the more surface area that is on the hex the better....ja know?
80% time this works
whack it with hammer
spray it or make ur own mixture
trani fluid and isopropyl alcohol 50/50 mix
turn in both directions
tighten it a bit,,,, then loosen it a lil bit
once it starts to move dont go all out an remove it
spray it some more then tighten , an then loosen
repeat it
so the oil gets into the threads,
once it feels good then take it off & replace
Do not use heat
brake fluid is flammable and using heat will make a nice fireball
whack it with hammer
spray it or make ur own mixture
trani fluid and isopropyl alcohol 50/50 mix
turn in both directions
tighten it a bit,,,, then loosen it a lil bit
once it starts to move dont go all out an remove it
spray it some more then tighten , an then loosen
repeat it
so the oil gets into the threads,
once it feels good then take it off & replace
Do not use heat
brake fluid is flammable and using heat will make a nice fireball