Bleeder Valve Snapped Off. Now What?

alvocado · July 3, 2010

I took the truck in for a brake flush and the shop snapped off one of the bleeder valves. I discovered it today while adjusting the parking brake shoes. Has anyone fixed a broken bleeder valve and if so, how did you get it out? It's obviously rusted into the caliper but is there a higher risk of damaging the caliper using an easy out since it's aluminum? I'll phone the shop next week but I'd like to get any advice from others who have fixed this to know if I might be looking at a new caliper.

gmtech121 · July 3, 2010

It would help if you actually mentioned what kind of vehicle....

Don't blame the shop. If you turn a frozen bleeder and it brakes.. it's not your fault for turning it. They SHould have let you know though. That's the only thing I would blame them for. Don't waste your time and effort.. either don't do anything if your brakes work ok or replace either one or both calipers.

[email protected] · July 3, 2010

+1 for just replacing the caliper.

alvocado · July 3, 2010

It would help if you actually mentioned what kind of vehicle....
Don't blame the shop. If you turn a frozen bleeder and it brakes.. it's not your fault for turning it. They SHould have let you know though. That's the only thing I would blame them for. Don't waste your time and effort.. either don't do anything if your brakes work ok or replace either one or both calipers.

My vehicle model is in my signature: '02 Yukon Denali. I've had my share of rusted parts on this truck so I know it's not the shop's fault it broke. They mentioned they couldn't bleed this corner but didn't say anything about busting the bleeder screw off, which is really dissapointing since I've used them for years.

Everything works fine so I really don't want to replace the caliper.

bossier62guy · July 3, 2010

It would help if you actually mentioned what kind of vehicle....
Don't blame the shop. If you turn a frozen bleeder and it brakes.. it's not your fault for turning it. They SHould have let you know though. That's the only thing I would blame them for. Don't waste your time and effort.. either don't do anything if your brakes work ok or replace either one or both calipers.

My vehicle model is in my signature: '02 Yukon Denali. I've had my share of rusted parts on this truck so I know it's not the shop's fault it broke. They mentioned they couldn't bleed this corner but didn't say anything about busting the bleeder screw off, which is really dissapointing since I've used them for years.

Everything works fine so I really don't want to replace the caliper.

That's about your only option....just replaced one of the rears on my truck for the same thing a few weeks ago.