Right Brake Caliper Bleed Screw Leaking

[Rabbitman109]

So I am a little bothered. I get Spiegler Stainless Steel brake lines and also decided to get speed bleeders to make my life easier. Next I do the install of the lines, fairly straight forward, rather easy. Then I go to put the speed bleeders on, and they don't seem to want to go in, so I just stick with the stocks. I bleed the brakes the old fashioned way and go on with my day. Ride about 150 miles and then stop and there is some brake fluid on my caliper around the bleed screw.

I clean it up with brake cleaner, and it is good to go. I ride some more, and there is a little bit less there. So at this point I am concerned, because replacing a caliper isn't really what I would like to be doing on a bike that has less than 6000 miles. Is it possible that there was a little left over inside the screw that would have leaked out? Should I worry that the incorrect sized speed bleeders did damage to the caliper?

 

[Spunky99]

I'm concerned that you said the speed bleeders "they don't seem to want to go in". I wonder what was wrong and if you messed up the threads on the caliper?
It should not take much pressure to seal the bleed screws. Do they spin freely after unseating them?

So I am a little bothered. I get Spiegler Stainless Steel brake lines and also decided to get speed bleeders to make my life easier. Next I do the install of the lines, fairly straight forward, rather easy. Then I go to put the speed bleeders on, and they don't seem to want to go in, so I just stick with the stocks. I bleed the brakes the old fashioned way and go on with my day. Ride about 150 miles and then stop and there is some brake fluid on my caliper around the bleed screw.

I clean it up with brake cleaner, and it is good to go. I ride some more, and there is a little bit less there. So at this point I am concerned, because replacing a caliper isn't really what I would like to be doing on a bike that has less than 6000 miles. Is it possible that there was a little left over inside the screw that would have leaked out? Should I worry that the incorrect sized speed bleeders did damage to the caliper?

 

[Rabbitman109]

I'm concerned that you said the speed bleeders "they don't seem to want to go in". I wonder what was wrong and if you messed up the threads on the caliper?
It should not take much pressure to seal the bleed screws. Do they spin freely after unseating them?

Yes, they spun freely. There was no issue getting them tight after bleeding either. That is why I am stumped and turned to the forum...

 

[Pathfinder]

When you bleed brakes it is not uncommon to have brake fluid left or trapped in the hole of the bleeder screw. As you drive the remaining fluid would spill out. You could give this a try; clean the bleeder screws which you said you did. Pump up the front brake lever and tie it on with a cargo strap or something similar so the front brakes are applied and let it sit over night. The next day if there is no fluid present and the front wheel is still locked up you should be OK. If not remove the bleeder screw and check to see if there is any debris around the bottom of the screw and calliper hole. That is the sealing surface.

 

[Marthy]

You know that red little straw tape on the brake cleaner can... use it to clean the nipple! Once your all done bleeding and TORQUING the bleeders to the right torque value, insert the straw into the bleeder and give it a good squirt.

I will strongly suggest you to use a torque wrench to tight your bleeder when your done. I've seen so many people damaging there caliper or bleed screws from over tithing. If it still leaks, changes the bleeding screws.

Speed bleeding bleeder are ok for cars when your stuck alone to bleed brakes. I don't see any advantage having those on a bike when you can reach both ends.

 

[Diluted]

What ended up happening with this Chad? Problem resolved or still a problem?

 

[Rabbitman109]

What ended up happening with this Chad? Problem resolved or still a problem?

Well, actually I haven't ridden it since this issue arose, but I had been working on it, and I kept squeezing the brake and holding it there, and kept pumping them and would check every day, and I haven't had any leaking, so I am going with my original theory that there was some brake fluid in the bleed screw and on the outside of the screw, in the caliper. Basically when I took the bleed screw completely out to change to the speed bleeder, it was leaking brake fluid, so I quickly put the screw back in, but there was fluid all up in the threading. I am just going to keep my eye on it. I am sure it is okay though. When are we doing yours Chris?

 

[Diluted]

Well, actually I haven't ridden it since this issue arose, but I had been working on it, and I kept squeezing the brake and holding it there, and kept pumping them and would check every day, and I haven't had any leaking, so I am going with my original theory that there was some brake fluid in the bleed screw and on the outside of the screw, in the caliper. Basically when I took the bleed screw completely out to change to the speed bleeder, it was leaking brake fluid, so I quickly put the screw back in, but there was fluid all up in the threading. I am just going to keep my eye on it. I am sure it is okay though. When are we doing yours Chris?

I still need to purchase them...I'll have to find somewhere to order them like you did.

 

[Rabbitman109]

I still need to purchase them...I'll have to find somewhere to order them like you did.

You can order them from my dealer if you want, then we can get them later, or I could pick them up for you.

 

[Diluted]

You can order them from my dealer if you want, then we can get them later, or I could pick them up for you.

How much did you pay again?

 

[Rabbitman109]

How much did you pay again?

I paid $109, and if I can recall it wasn't about a good price, it was finding them. We couldn't find a place online that carried them for our bikes.

 

[Diluted]

I paid $109, and if I can recall it wasn't about a good price, it was finding them. We couldn't find a place online that carried them for our bikes.

That include the bleeders?

 

[Rabbitman109]

That include the bleeders?

No, but after that experience that I had, I wouldn't bother. I did it just fine with the regular bleeders. I had returned the speed bleeders and they told me that they ordered what their catalog said for our bikes, so they wouldn't even order the right ones. I would save the cash if I were you.