I finished install stoptech big brakes that I bought used from a guy on the forums. When I went to bleed the system, the bleeder bolt on the caliper kept turning and wouldn't close tight and the brake fluid would leak out of it. I know that I did not over tighten the bolt or cross thread it. I think the previous mechanic that install the previous owner's brakes did this or either the paint shop that I had refinish the caliper's paint did this. The bolt's thread is now stripped and would not close tight.

I called stoptech and they didn't help much but only recommend me to buy a new caliper. I have heard of people drilling out the tread and creating a new thread with bigger bleeder bolt to replace the old one.

I don't know how much a new caliper would cost me. I'm in a tight bugget. Anyone know what I can do? Please help.

Also does anyone know where I can buy a single stoptech caliper for a good price?

 

wow man thats sucks

 

I would try the following:

- Get a set of SpeedBleeders. They are replacement bleeder bolts and they come in many sizes. You can get them from Jegs or Summit. You will need a size that is a little bigger than the one that is currently stripped.

- Take the caliper and one of the new speedbleeders to a machine shop. They should be able to drill and tap. The trick is keeping shavings from falling into the caliper.

I doubt you will be able to find just one caliper unless StopTech will sell you one.

 

Well first don't panic..The bleeder bolt should be much softer than the caliper itself. Prop. just striped that. Pull it out and see if threads are missing on the bleeder bolt. If so get new one same size and just clean up the caliper threads with a tap. Flush out the metal particals and install new bleeder

 

Yes, they do make oversize bleeder bolts. Just go to any auto parts store and either take your old bleeder bolt with you or have them look up the OEM size. Then get the oversize that fits. It's self tapping so you shouldn't have any problems getting the new one in, just be sure you get it started straight. Also, bleed the caliper thouroughly after replacing to get rid of any metal shavings.

 

Thanks for the advice, I will have to go check out the the bleeder bolt. I haven't taken it out yet.

 

Sorry I do not understand this procedure. Do you mean, to just buy a new bigger bleeder screw and just twist it into in the caliper or do I have to bring it to some machine shop to do the tapping? What do you mean by self tapping? Thanks.

 

Napa has a kit for that!!

 

You can fix your problem one of two ways. 1) use a tap (from a Tap and Die) set to make the hole larger thus allowing a new larger brake bleeder be used. Just be sure to not use the wrong size Tap (tap is the tool that's used, tapping is the process of using the tool to create a new, larger, hole with new threads). You want to make sure the tap you use actually as the same thread as the new bleeder.

2) Self tapping means that the bolt (or bleeder in this case) is specially designed to cut new threads as you twist it in. The nose will be the same size as your existing hole and will have sharp threads to cut. The bolt with then widen like the attached picture. The grooves are to move the metal shavings out of the way so you dont' cross thread while you are tapping new threads.

 

I just spoke to napa on the phone. The people are friendly there. We search up brake bleeder screw repair kit univeral and all it came up with was a nut bolt. we looked at the other brake repair kits but they were just a bolt. Is this repair kit suppost to be just a nut or something more complicated? Thanks.

Also he explain about some tap they might be able to do, if I bring the brake over to them later to see. Hopefully they will be able to fix it.