HELP!

This question is for a 1998 Honda Civic EX

While bleeding my wife's brakes... I couldn't get the passenger-side rear bleeder screw off, and it broke off! Thankfully, it isn't leaking fluid - but the whole screw busted off. PLUS - the whole car is bled off - except that side.

My questions:
How do I get that bleeder screw out?
Should I replace all the bleeder screws while I'm at it?
Are there better bleeder screws than others (maybe that make brake bleeding easier)?

Thank you very much for any help!!!

 

it is very dangerous to leave it like that...go to the auto part store and get a brand new caliper assembly for that side... it is very easy to install, but if you get a new one, you will have to bleed the both sides again.Dont be cheap and risk driving like that.

 

It's actually a drum brake on the rear.

Is there a way to drill them out or something? Purchasing a whole new rear brake assembly (I'm not sure what it's called on drum brakes) seems expensive.

 

You can try a bolt/screw extractor to get it out.



1. Using a power drill, drill a hole in the center of the damaged screw.
Often the surface of the damaged screw is uneven so the best way to start the pilot is to use a very small drill bit, about 1/16" in diameter. Try to get at least a starter hole for a larger drill bit sized properly for the extractor you are using.

2. Drill slowly and carefully into the damaged screw with the proper sized pilot hole drill bit as recommended on the package that came with the extractor. The pilot hole diameter will vary according to the extractor size you are using.

3. Be very careful NOT to break off the drill bit in the hole you are drilling.

Once the pilot hole is drilled, proceed as follows:

4. Grip the extractor bit firmly with clamping pliers or use a "T" Handle.

5. Place the extractor bit into the pilot hole.

6. Using a hammer, tap the extractor firmly into the pilot hole.

7. Now while exerting downward pressure on the extractor, turn the extractor counter-clockwise and remove the damaged screw.

***If the extractor slips and loses its bite in the screw, try again and tap the extractor more firmly to try and get a good bite. Also, push down more firmly as you turn it counter-clockwise.

***If you still have trouble, try enlarging the pilot hole slightly and try again.

 

Thanks Osborne!

I'll try that tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I'll purchase a new wheel cylinder (I think that's what I need). Advance Auto Parts is showing the part for only $16. I thought it would be $100+.

 

all you have to do is replace the brake piston on that side. it's very cheap

 

Apple,
it is very easy to replace the wheel cylinder and they're cheap so that would be the simplest and cheapest since you would have that much invested if you bought all the ez out tools you'd need to drill it out.

also, russle (sp) makes speed bleeders that replace the stock bleed screws. They have springs and a ball bearing in them and all you do is lossen a bit and pump your brakes to get the air out but none comes in.

In the future, I would use a closed end wrench instead of an open end one. Those have a better grip on the small bleeders.

hope this helps.

 

Thanks everyone!

I picked up a new wheel cylinder today from AutoZone for $12. The old 69 Camaro days of changing brake shoes every few weeks helped me out... I was able to change it out in about 20 minutes.

That was incredibly easy!