anti-seize on brake bleed valve?

[dlb]

just did a bunch of brake work on a few different vehicles and encountered one of my least favourite situations: rusted/frozen brake caliper bleed screws. i wondered a little while ago about putting a small amount of anti-seize on the bleed valves but it seems like, of all the cars i've worked on, i would have encountered this but i don't think i have. so i'm wondering if there are any good reasons not to do it when i replace the next set of calipers i work on.

[marlinh]

I find clean threads work best than using anti- seize. The most important thing to do is put a plastic or rubber cap over the bleeder. It keeps the dirt and moisture from getting down inside and seizing. Some people still swear by anti-seize. I think plugging the bleeder off is more important if you want to open it up again in the future.

[Petros]

anti-seize is not a bad idea. some brands of bleeder are more susceptible than others, our Mazda has these tiny bleed valves and it does not take much torque to break them off. I did that on a new caliper for the Mazda (it really pissed me off), I ended up just bleeding it at the brake line, messy but it works. I left the broken off bleed valve in place since it was holding pressure without issue.

[splatterdog]

Rubber caps on the bleeders work wonders for keeping them free.

The only thing I would be worried about is any antiseize getting in the caliper. Bleed it out good after carefully putting silver snot on them.

[TominMO]

You can get speed bleeders from this company near Chicago: http://www.speedbleeder.com/

They have an internal check valve so that when you pump the pedal, fluid goes out but air can't get back in. Truly makes bleeding brakes a one-person operation. I have used them and now put them on all my cars. Just ordered a set today for the Terc. And they do have anti-seize on them BTW.