<VV> Brake Bleeder is Broken

[Michael Kovacs]

Matt,
   I haven't read all the answers yet, but, what you need is a new brake cylinder. Both the brake hose and the bleeder are attached to the wheel cylinder.
   
   Yes that can be an absolute pain to replace unless you have done it in the past. I have replaced all of them in LM cars and it can be frustrating. 
   
   If you cracked the brake bleeder housing, I guess you were lucky that it did not fracture at some time when you were driving. Your Vair let you down gently.
   
   I haven't replaced brake cylinders in a while, but you have to remove 2 screws and the brake hose from the back side of the cylinder in order to get them out. 
   
   If you order them remember front and back are different as are left and right. I might suggest you replace both sides and hoses at the same time. After the first one you will be much better. The screws tend to not want to come out, are rusted are small headed. Not much fits on them. I think a good box end wrench is your best bet to start.
   
   If you have a Clark's catalog, look on pp 143 144.

Matthew Klopfer <corvairdroptop at yahoo.com> wrote:
  I'm in the middle of a disaster. 

I was bleeding my brakes and while re-tightening the brake bleeder it began to crack the surrounding metal, which fell to the garage floor. This broken metal included the threads for the bleeder, which is now impossible to reposition. The brakes are now completely useless. 

So it seems I need a new backing plate? Is that the correct term for this part? A friend of mine tells me it's the "flange plate." I'm not even aware of the name of this thing. The brake hose and the bleeder valve obviously attach to it. 

Replacing it will probably be the greatest headache of my life. 


Matt 
1968 Monza 110 Convertible



MIKE KOVACS