Fluid won't flow through caliper.

[Zac]

I have some 2 piston sumitomo calipers installed on the car but they will not bleed.
When I put pressure in the line and release the bleed nipple, no fluid comes out. however if I put pressure in the line and release the line nut on the caliper, fluid will flow. I have installed them with the nipple high. What could possibly stop fluid from flowing through?

[GTSBoy]

Crud!!!!!!!!

[Jim]

yep. take the hose off, and the nipple out and check for any debris blocking entry or exit holes. bleed nipples often block up too.

oh yeah, check the actual fluid path. some calipers actually have the nipple in an odd spot as the fluid flow inside the caliper follows a path down to the nipple. Only seen it once but it was enough to mess with my head as to why it wouldn't bleed. Wish I could remember what sort of car it was.

[Zac]

These calipers have been on the car before so there shouldn't be any compatibility issues. I'll check for the nipple and caliper for blockage. Is the air compressor any good for cleaning it out? (ie, blast backwards out the caliper?).

Thanks!

[Jim]

yep, as long as there's something to prevent the piston popping out, and you don't mind brake fluid sprayed in a 30ft radius :p

[Zac]

Yes, I have a disc there! thanks for the heads up with the spray :)

[Zac]

No luck with the compressor. I don't know whether it is worth fitting up a hose from the air sprayer thing to the caliper to get more pressure in there. It might be better just to take it down the brake shop and ask them.

[GTSBoy]

Squirt a can of brakekleen in there.

[dattoman1000]

The guts of the hose have probably collapsed and the fluid holes are full of rubber

Caliper apart time

[Zac]

Yes, sounds like it. the air compressor didn't even push the pads together.

[guidos]

rebuild them yourself zac its pretty easy :)

[Zac]

it is fixed :)