Ever have a “two steps” forward, one step back” Fiero kind of day? (Page 1/1)
Kitskaboodle MAR 27, 09:37 PM
New master cylinder- Check!
New 3800 GTP gear reduction starter - Check!
New CS130 alternator- Check!
New Gates serpentine belt- Check!
Broken off bleeder screw- ☹️
See pics.
Kit[img]http://images.fieroforum.com/userimage s/Kitskaboodle/7E9DC9B3-DC35-4058-B9A5-CAA74ACC10FC.jpeg[/img]

[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 03-27-2021).]

Patrick MAR 27, 09:47 PM

quote
Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:

Broken off bleeder screw - ☹️



Sure fire way to ruin one's day. I hate it when that happens.
IMSA GT MAR 27, 10:09 PM
Damn epoxy caliper paint. Acts like thread lock
PK MAR 28, 03:29 AM
I do have two steps forward one back days with the fiero..those are the good ones. It's the one step forward three back (my limit before calling it a day) that are the problem. (+_+)

There was a good thread here somewhere about removing brake nipples. Had some ideas that I hadn't heard before.

Good luck and hopefully another more steps forward than back day.
fieroguru MAR 28, 07:42 AM
Get out the welder, place a 3/8 or 1/2" nut over the top of the bleeder and fill the center with weld. While it is still cherry red, smack the top of the nut with a hammer a couple of times. Once it no longer is cherry red, use a wrench and gentry try turning the bleeder back and forth. If you snap off the nut, repeat the process a 2nd or 3rd time.

The calipers are aluminum, so you don't need to worry about the weld sticking to them, it will only stick to the bleeder. The extreme heat cycling cause by the welding process with first expand the bleeder to break it free, but then as heat is transferred to the aluminum, the aluminum will expand further an loosen the grip it has on the bleeder. This process works very, very well for broken bolts in aluminum, much, much better than trying to drill or use extractors.
Notorio MAR 28, 11:12 PM

quote
Originally posted by PK:

I do have two steps forward one back days with the fiero..those are the good ones. It's the one step forward three back (my limit before calling it a day) that are the problem. (+_+)




Here, here. Definitely had a few of those ...
RCR MAR 29, 08:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by PK:

I do have two steps forward one back days with the fiero..those are the good ones. It's the one step forward three back (my limit before calling it a day) that are the problem. (+_+)




I'm with PK here...

Bob
Dennis LaGrua MAR 30, 06:26 AM
Broken brake bleed screws are common it seems. Yeah they can ruin ones day. I'll go along with Fieroguru's method but will add that the caliper should be off the car to do the weld the stud trick. Brake fluid can ignite with an open flame so I would recommend thoroughly draining the caliper before giving it a try. If you dry to drill and extract, it is difficult to do. Should you drill through the bleeder and into the seat, there goes the seal.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

css9450 MAR 30, 08:23 AM
Knock on wood, I've never broken off a brake bleeder. But I did once strip out the threads on the brake hose mount on an '88 Fiero rear caliper. Ouch. That one hurt! I think the hose has a natural curl to it and I got careless and held it the wrong way when I started the bolt in.... And promptly it was cross-threaded. I still have the damaged caliper so maybe someday I might look into ways to fix it.

Over the weekend, I was working on my mom's Impala. Front calipers were OK, so I had the rotors machined and I installed new pads. Rear calipers were seized, and had been that way for a long time judging by the rear rotors. So I popped for new pads, rotors and calipers in back. Car was good as new for two days until I noticed brake fluid leaking in the rear. So tonight I have to take the wheel off, pressurize the system and see what is leaking. I'll bet it is the hose-to-caliper mounting surface on the caliper; it didn't look as good as they normally do right out of the box. Fortunately returns are easy. But the real reason I was doing the brakes is because the car needs a new muffler. I don't do exhaust, so I'll have to take it somewhere and I wanted the brakes and everything else I could think of to be perfect ahead of time so they don't try to upsell me. The car is a beater so I'm not spending great sums on it.
WKDFIRO APR 11, 03:33 PM
Replaced a water pump on my 87 GT. Noticed that the thermostat housing was leaking at the base and it was slathered in RTV. Put the water pump on, figured I would redo the housing gasket.

Turns out previous owner stripped out the threads, filled the hole and tried to drill another hole in a slightly different place. Gasket was off and wouldn't seal. Ended up replacing the lower intake manifold for what was supposed to be a Saturday project turned into two weeks while I waited for the new manifold came in.....>8(