| Author |
Message |
Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member
Username: Dapper
Post Number: 607
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 9:00 am: | |
Mike, keep us posted as to how you get on. |
Mike Procopio (Pupz308)
Junior Member
Username: Pupz308
Post Number: 211
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 9:59 pm: | |
Thanks for the additional responses, guys. I'm beginning to become more optimistic here.
I'm planning on taking a day off of work, visiting three or four machine shops that I've picked out, and see what they can do.
With any luck, just as you've said, what I think is the end of the world will be an easy job for these guys...
Wish me luck.
Mike |
Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
New member
Username: Tuttebenne
Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 7:35 pm: | |
This problem only seems like the end of the world to people like us who break off bleeders and stuff like that. In reality, any reputable caliper rebuilder can fix your broken bleeder. And don't worry about the broken EZ out. They have the experience that we don't have. They can drill it totally out and put in an insert. If you have to pay more than $75.00 for the entire rebuild, I'd be surprised. Just remember to have the opposite side rebuilt at the same time. Its not only cheap insurance, it will avoid any uneven braking that could result from one rebuilt and one tired original caliper. |
Jeff 77 GTB (Jbk)
Junior Member
Username: Jbk
Post Number: 105
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 6:34 pm: | |
I had that happen to me a number of years ago. Took it to a good machine shop and they were able to bore out the eazy out and bleed screw using an end mill. Didn't even damage the threads. Cleaned them out with a pick and was back in action. |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 939
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 8:26 am: | |
This is probably a good lesson for the rest of us here. I bet that screw is stuck due to corrosion from less then regular brake fluid changes over the years by previous owners. Fresh fluid is not just for the track. It will help keep water out of your brake system so it will work on the road too. |
Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member
Username: Dapper
Post Number: 592
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 7:45 am: | |
Mike,
Find a shop that does EDM or suchlike, it will come out. The 50/50 shot sounds worth consideration if you can get the Eazi drilled out.
I know what you mean about Eazi out or other extractors, they invariably snap off in there and then they make the job a magnitude worse to recover. I never use them after such an experience years ago. |
Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Member
Username: Ricrain
Post Number: 512
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 6:53 am: | |
This happened to me and I had it taken out cleanly with EDM as Ron R suggested. Worked great, cost about $30.
|
Mike Procopio (Pupz308)
Junior Member
Username: Pupz308
Post Number: 204
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 11:57 pm: | |
Thanks very much for the advice so far, guys...
My mechanic offered a "50/50" procedure that involves drilling a bleed hole on the other (front) side of the caliper, using a standard bleed screw there, and plugging the other old hole...
The biggest problem is the easy-out that I broke off in there--apparently, drilling through that is next to impossible.
I don't even know where to begin finding a machine shop with EDM here in Albquerque--are these places common?
Anybody have any leads on a place like this?
|
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 928
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 9:38 pm: | |
Mike, someone can get that thing out for you I'm sure. I know it sucks with the spring, track thing, etc. but before I went the $800 route, I would even consider overnight mail to someone on this chat line (like JRV ??)for repair. As heavy as a caliper is and what it would cost to rapid mail it, I still think you would be way ahead of the game by doing this instead of buying 2 more. I hope things work out well for you. Good Luck. |
Ron R (Ronr)
Junior Member
Username: Ronr
Post Number: 158
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 9:06 pm: | |
Try a local high-quality machine shop. I think there's something called EDM (Electron Discharge Method), that uses electricity in some form to eat steel out of aluminum. Might need an insert after that, but they could probably do the whole job for you.
FWIW, Now that I think about it, I believe I had a manifold bolt break off in a head one time, and the shop took care of it pretty easily. Good luck. |
Gerrit Visser (Gerritv)
Junior Member
Username: Gerritv
Post Number: 178
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 8:24 pm: | |
Check out Pelican Parts. http://www.pelicanparts.com. The calipers are same as 914, with spacers added for the wider discs on 308's.
Rebuild instructions: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_caliper_rebuild/914_caliper_rebuild.htm.
And of course there is Ferrari of UK/Jeff Howe.
|
Mike Procopio (Pupz308)
Junior Member
Username: Pupz308
Post Number: 203
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 4:45 pm: | |
Fchatters,
I'm really over a barrel here and I need some good advice about my brake calipers.
I broke off a bleeder screw in the right front caliper. Or, I should say, *it* broke off. I barely even touched the fookin thing.
Well, it's stuck in there, alright. Not coming out. Penetrating oil, easy out (broken inside--not good), drilling. My mechanic has even spent 4 hours on it. All the easy things have been tried.
Other options include drilling the damn thing bigger, or drilling a bleed hole on the other side of the caliper. Finding the right bleeder screw for the bigger hole (length and tapered end are the issues) might be tough, and I don't want to drill a new bleeder screw in the other half.
Another option is to drill it out, put a Helicoil or some other sleeve in there and fit it to the bleed screw.
T Rutlands has rebuilt calipers for $350 to $400. I'd probably replace both calipers if I did a rebuilt one.
What's doubly frustrating is, the caliper was fine--this $800 I'm about to spend doesn't get me ahead of the game at all. WHAT pure f'n frustration, I've never been so frustrated with this car than I am now. Weather's great, track season, and the 308s in my garage with a bum caliper. Unbelievable.
Do I have any other options? F'n great, brembo sells a kit for a whole $2600 including rotors, calipers, hats, and lines. Way too much.
1978 308 GTS.
Does anybody know of where to buy the equivalent part new? They're ATE calipers--does the exact part fit any other car (Porches, I hear--911s of the same era)?
What can possibly be done?
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