Snapped a brake bleeder screw off in a caliper yesterday

I was doing a brake flush on a 2012 Ford Focus, and the bleeder screw just twisted right off when I went to crack it loose. It was pretty rusted on there, must have been the factory original. I ended up having to drill it out with a small extractor bit, took me about 45 minutes. Has anyone else had luck with using heat before trying to remove those stuck bleeders?

2 comments

2 Comments

fiona_lewis371mo ago

My buddy used a propane torch on his truck and the bleeder came out like butter.

emma_young1mo ago

Bet your buddy's face went from "this is fine" to "oh no" real quick. Propane torches don't mess around with brake systems. Hope he had a fire extinguisher nearby and a good pair of gloves.