Porsche Bleed nipple seized

[Cimaguy]

Folks,

My Cayenne T is in for its service. The engineer has changed the brake oil in 3 of the 4 corners. OPC called and said the following, "the bleed nipple that may snap if we attempt to carry out the brake fluid change on this wheel". They would need to send it away at a cost of £500 if it needs to be fixed if snapped or £1300 to replace the calliper. He said they can leave it to the next service i.e. dont do an oil change on it. Surely not addressing the seized nipple for 2 years is just going to make it worse.

Supposedly dirt, grime and rust has seized it and it is quiet common for this to happen.

The service rep sent me a picture of another porsche to show what he is talking about. This is not my nipple!


I am lost here. What do you folks recommend.

Edited by Cimaguy on Thursday 14th July 11:49

[GreenV8S]

Cimaguy said:

They would need to send it away at a cost of £500 if it needs to be fixed if snapped

Where does that figure come from? You're probably looking at about half an hour of labour to remove/strip/refit the caliper, and about the same for a local machine shop to remove the broken thread. I struggle to see how that adds up to £500.

[Cimaguy]

Numbers are from Porsche centre.

[toastyhamster]

Common enough, my 996 has a couple my Indy has said he'd rather not touch.

Probably over this winter my calipers will be going off for refurb, most likely here, which just happens to be local but are highly recommended:

https://www.bcs-automotive.co.uk/

I very much doubt Porsche will be doing this themselves, probably shipping it out somewhere.

[Chris32345]

GreenV8S said:

Where does that figure come from? You're probably looking at about half an hour of labour to remove/strip/refit the caliper, and about the same for a local machine shop to remove the broken thread. I struggle to see how that adds up to £500.

Easy
Minimum charge of an hour


So hours to remove @£180 an hour to refit
So £360
Then cost of sending off for repairs

[Cimaguy]

Based on the above if I took it elsewhere the removal costs would be half. Other than that the £360 will be as they are.

Kinda makes sense for Porsche to do it and I don't have to worry.

I wonder if they can open it up without breaking it?

[anonymous-user]

It's been mentioned on here before (Aston Martin) but any engineering shop would have that out in minutes. It may even undo.

I know people especially on here are apt to treat anything with an expensive badge on the front as if it needs specialist attention but a caliper is just a caliper regardless of what car its from.

Even that Bugatti one that someone is bound to post.

[PhillipM]

Usually, sometimes they stick so much from the galvanic corrosion you have to burn 'em out with acid and then it's a couple days. Or you end up dropping a 2 piece nipple in because the seat gets damaged in removal. You don't always get lucky, dealer will be covering their ass for the odd ones as well.

I certainly wouldn't charge anywhere near that for doing one but I ain't a main dealer with silly overheads either.

Edited by PhillipM on Thursday 14th July 17:35

[stevieturbo]

Cimaguy said:

I wonder if they can open it up without breaking it?

Yes, no, maybe

Patience plays a role, good soaking over many hours with penetrating fluid, a good whack with a hammer and try and work out out. gently.

Although it is quite common for nipples to seize, largely down to shoddy maintenance. When it is known they can seize, at an early opportunity ensuring the threads and nipple seat have anti-seize compound applied to them is just basic stuff.
But most garages, especially dealers never bother their arse with preventative maintenance.

Heat could be another option, but you will lose your nice shiny red paint ( although never used one of those inductor things....that might make the process cleaner )

[anonymous-user]

I think I’d have a go at it with some actual penetrating fluid, the trick is to take your time and ease it out to avoid snapping it (assuming it starts).

Can you source a replacement caliper on eBay?

[RobXjcoupe]

If you are handy it’s a doddle to remove. If you have no intention of doing the repair yourself then you have to pay the dealer what they ask.
I personally could remove that in 5 mins. If it sheared off, an hour tops to rectify to fit a new bleed nipple.
If you want to save money just tell the dealer to leave it.
Not sure what answer you want really?

[Caddyshack]

RobXjcoupe said:

If you are handy it’s a doddle to remove. If you have no intention of doing the repair yourself then you have to pay the dealer what they ask.
I personally could remove that in 5 mins. If it sheared off, an hour tops to rectify to fit a new bleed nipple.
If you want to save money just tell the dealer to leave it.
Not sure what answer you want really?

Yeah, I am with this opinion too.

Loads of penetrating fluid. I would try to tighten it first but first tap the top with a small hammer. Consider some heat and then try and wind it out…if it breaks then fix it.

I get why a main dealer would charge that but it could also be a very quick and cheap fix.