Page 1 of 2
Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:44 pm
by steve2003rs6
2 years ago on a Sunday afternoon while working on my rear brakes a bleed nipple sheared.
Removed the Caliper took it to our workshop and helicoiled it with a S/S insert.
Also made the bleed nipple.( What else can you do on a Sunday afternoon)
Didn’t have any problems
Last year had 2 new rear calipers so the helicoiled one was replaced.
Will be replacing front brake hoses soon.
If we have a similar problem with front nipples. What are thoughts on using helicoils.
Is it acceptable or should it be avoided.
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:59 pm
by ian_rs6avant
there's a kit out there called nipper therapy used it to fix my front 8 pots. easy to use and safe
Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:24 am
by steve2003rs6
Thanks Ian. Nice to know there is a fix it kit available.
Just trying to preempt a problem when we replace the hoses.
Already ordered new Brembo front bleed nipples c/w new dust caps.
Regards Steve.
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:10 am
by Shoppinit
I can't see what harm a helicoil would do since the important thing is that the nipple closes off the opening and that has nothing to do with the thread. I'd be a bit wary of getting swarf dropping into the caliper, but that risk can be managed.
Best thing is to soak in release oil for a good while before attempting to undo and make a sacrifice to the Audi gods.
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:27 am
by dhali
Has anyone had the brake pad retaining pins seized? I have on the B7 at the moment and was thinking of what would be the best course of action ? Cut with a dremel on the insides first and try punching or drilling out ?
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:32 am
by Shoppinit
I have never had a problem with mine. Plenty of release oil soaking then gently drifting out from front to back with an appropriate drift. It's hard to see how they could seize to the point where they can't be drifted out.
Also replace with liberal copper slip on the pins.
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:43 am
by dhali
ian_rs6avant wrote: ↑Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:59 pm
there's a kit out there called nipper therapy used it to fix my front 8 pots. easy to use and safe
Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk
Excellent. Thanks for posting

Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:53 am
by ian_rs6avant
here's a link I ordered the larger size.
http://www.fraserbrowneng.co.uk/store/i ... duct_id=51
Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:56 am
by Shoppinit
Looks like it relies on having a flat mating surface around the nipple hole for the crush washer to work against. That might not be the case for some calipers. I wouldn't want to open the nipple too often to bleed without replacing the washer. They are supposed to be single use.
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:59 am
by ian_rs6avant
Shoppinit wrote:Looks like it relies on having a flat mating surface around the nipple hole for the crush washer to work against. That might not be the case for some calipers. I wouldn't want to open the nipple too often to bleed without replacing the washer. They are supposed to be single use.
bigger ones doesn't use a washer, the part with the washer stays in and the nipple screws into that, so would never never be a issue.
Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:00 am
by Shoppinit
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:14 am
by steve2003rs6
Looks good. And a very reasonable price when you consider the alternative.
Thanks for sharing the info
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:51 am
by dhali
Shoppinit wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:32 am
I have never had a problem with mine. Plenty of release oil soaking then gently drifting out from front to back with an appropriate drift. It's hard to see how they could seize to the point where they can't be drifted out.
Also replace with liberal copper slip on the pins.
Thanks . Mine are definitely stuck solid . I've tried the penetrating oil plus gas . I've used a suitable drift aswell . It was starting to mushroom the point on the pin so I stopped . Will try to get some grips on the pins somewhere along their length and try turning them to see if that will break them free .
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 11:07 am
by Shoppinit
They are probably most stuck at the back where the spring retainer bit is, rather than the front where the pointy bit is. Did you soak that bit, too?
You could try a bit of diesel instead of the plus gas. I've had some success with that where Plus Gas hasn't had an effect.
You could also try putting some heat into the pin. Remove the caliper, protect the caliper with kapton tape and use a blow torch to put some heat into directly the pin directly as close to the retaining spring / caliper body as you dare. Obviously you don't want to ruin the paint on the caliper. I would also use a candle to dab onto the back of the pin to try and draw some wax into the cavities.
Re: Helicoil brakes.
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 11:09 am
by Shoppinit
Also, I've found the WD40 seems to dissolve rust somewhat and can work better than pure release oil.