I was always told to replace in pairs. The front brakes only have about 15,000 miles on them and are in great shape. Maybe I can replace just the calipers and keep the pads and dont turn down the rotors...

Joe

 

Should work fine using the old pads and rotors if they're good.

 

If you're talking about the calipers, no you absolutely do not need to replace them in pairs. I would first soak the broken bleeder with penetrating oil, heat the crap out of it with a torch, and try to get it with an easy out.

 

I never used an easyout but I assume they come small enough to use for a bleeder screw. After all, there is already a hole in the center of the screw! But I was also told that easyouts break easy but if it does, I am no worse off I guess.

Joe

 

Easy outs can break easy, and more so they can strip out. Especially so with the smaller they get. Might be way less frustration going for a new rebuilt exchange caliper.

 

That's why I said to heat the crap out of it. The bleeder snapped trying to come out, so the easy out isn't going to work without some "coaxing" first.

 

Yes heat may work, but you'll probably fry the seals getting it hot enough to get the bleeder out, and then it will need rebuilding. Might as well just get a rebuilt one and save some time.

 

I've heated up many a caliper to get a bleeder out, and never cooked a seal. I heat the bleeder as a matter of practice, if I feel that it isn't going to budge easily. Better safe than sorry. I'm talking about using a blow torch, not an acetylene flame thrower that'll turn the whole thing red hot. What's he got to lose anyway, it's not usable the way it is. If he gets it out, the cost of a new bleeder is a bit less than a new caliper. Time is time, but money comes out of the wallet.