Caliper bleed screws

1. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

   #1 15th October 2014, 21:51

   About to refit my axle and so need to bleed my brakes (needed new pipes made).
   
   The calipers on the car are all refurbed, but the company who did them have shite tolerances for the bleed screws: they seal fine when tightened up, but when loosened to bleed, they weep from the threads. Not a lot, but it does happen.
   
   Is there any reason a bit of ptfe/plumbers tape round the bleed screw would be a bad idea?
2. MuZiZZle Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2011 Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 7779 Phase 2 VTS , E61 M5

   #2 15th October 2014, 22:01

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gabbastard About to refit my axle and so need to bleed my brakes (needed new pipes made). The calipers on the car are all refurbed, but the company who did them have shite tolerances for the bleed screws: they seal fine when tightened up, but when loosened to bleed, they weep from the threads. Not a lot, but it does happen. Is there any reason a bit of ptfe/plumbers tape round the bleed screw would be a bad idea?

   It could possibly leak again with the pressure of the braking system, if it only leaks when bleeding maybe just cover the caliper if it's paint damage you're worried about?
3. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

   #3 16th October 2014, 00:18

   Fuckit, Ill bung some on and see if the threads seal. Whats the worst that could happen, IOLO!
4. Kebabman Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Lancs Posts: 439 Saxo VTS mk1 stage rally car

   #4 16th October 2014, 01:01

   Why does it matter if they only leak when undone? As long as they seal properly when closed they should bleed fine and work OK.
   
   The worst that could happen by using PTFE is that the extra surface area of the threads stop them from sealing properly I would think. It could even cover up the fact they aren't sealing properly by slowing the flow rate of the fluid until it eats through the PTFE and pisses out.
5. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #5 17th October 2014, 09:33

   would have thought brake fluid might eat the PTFE tape
6. VTSBRO Newbie Joined: May 2013 Somerset Posts: 24 VTS

   #6 17th October 2014, 22:08

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gandi699 would have thought brake fluid might eat the PTFE tape

   Me to.
   
   Will be ok to bleed, but if you're worried about it leaking after they are tightened, then there is proper brake thread sealant you can get.
7. L33h Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2007 North-east - Washington Posts: 7311 Clio 182, Fireblade GSX-R 750

   #7 17th October 2014, 22:12

   Should be fine when bleeding. Aslong as they've got a tight seal when tightened up you'll be alright
8. Kebabman Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Lancs Posts: 439 Saxo VTS mk1 stage rally car

   #8 18th October 2014, 01:46

   Wonder if I could repeat what's been said above much more. Probably not... Don't do it I think is the answer...
9. Alfie09 Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 579

   #9 18th October 2014, 08:24

   For what they cost is just get some new nipples and hope the ones you have are pore quality thus causing the issue and it's not the caliper