anti-seize on brake bleed valve?

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dlb
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anti-seize on brake bleed valve?

Post by 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.
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marlinh
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Re: anti-seize on brake bleed valve?

Post by 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.
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Petros
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Re: anti-seize on brake bleed valve?

Post by 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.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
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splatterdog
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Re: anti-seize on brake bleed valve?

Post by 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
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My tercel:: 1986 SR5
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Re: anti-seize on brake bleed valve?

Post by 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.
1986 4WD Tercel, formerly gold, now camo
1995 Ford Aspire SE, MPG development car, shooting for 65 MPG hwy
1990 Ford Festiva, mild motor swap, HP development car
The other Tom M. in STL w/a gold 1986 SR5--from the universe where Spock has a goatee
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