Brake Bleed tool (Page 1/2)
hunter29 MAR 22, 07:21 PM
Looking for recommendations , don't need the best but don't want to buy junk. thanks
Patrick MAR 22, 07:32 PM

The biggest challenge will be loosening steel bleeders which have corroded/seized inside of aluminum calipers. One of my most feared maintenance duties.
hunter29 MAR 22, 07:42 PM
I thought they were cast iron on a 86?
Patrick MAR 22, 08:18 PM

I believe that all Fiero calipers were aluminum from the factory... but it's pretty easy to determine with a magnet.
pmbrunelle MAR 22, 08:42 PM
On an 84-87 Fiero, if you have a cast iron caliper, it's probably because a previous owner did the Grand Am brake modification.

For bleeders, you can try heat+WD-40 and then turn the bleeder with a pure twisting motion, without side load on the bleeder.

Also, you can try an impact gun. The sharp impacts do a better job of loosening parts without breaking them, versus brute muscle power.

I use an air impact wrench, with the trigger held partway, but that's just because it's the impact I bought when I was 16 years old.

Today there are smaller electric impact guns that might be more suited to this type of work.
pmbrunelle MAR 22, 08:45 PM
For the bleeding as such, gravity alone can work, though you'll want some hose on the bleeder nipple to direct the brake fluid to a container.

You don't want brake fluid on your brakes/suspension; it feels awful on your hands, and it eats paint.

Wipe off whatever you can, then rinse with a garden hose.
hunter29 MAR 22, 09:05 PM
Thanks guys, if they won’t break lose will i have to get new calipers?
pmbrunelle MAR 22, 09:33 PM
If you don't twist so hard that you break off the bleeder, you can bring the caliper into a garage (or machine/repair shop) that is used to dealing with this sort of problem.

If you do twist off the bleeder, that's not a bad thing. Experience helps with removing bleeders; breaking some off is a good way to gain that experience. I've broken at least one or two.

If the bleeder has been twisted off, you can replace the caliper with a rebuilt one (use your original as the core, even if the bleeder is broken off). Otherwise, you can see if the machine shop can help you. They may be able to weld a nut onto the broken-off stub inside the hole, and then be able to get a grip on the stub with a socket wrench.

For brake bleeders, only use 6-point deep sockets!
Dennis LaGrua MAR 22, 09:59 PM
I believe the wrench size is 10mm or 11MM depending on the bleeders you use. Do use the recommended 6 pt box wrench. Don't put full wrist power into the bleeder screw or it will break off. If it doesn't back off relatively easy then try rocking the wrench a bit, a little tighter then a bit looser. If it doesn't come loose then head out to a machine shop.

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hunter29 MAR 22, 10:02 PM
Got it... but now thinking since they are original OEM maybe I should replace them with rebuilt , and do the flex lines while I’m at it.

The car did sit in storage since 1991, the breaks are ok but not great, a little soft..

Opinions and advice please.