Caliper bleed nipple issue - warranty question

MarkC4S · 23 Apr 2017

When the OCP did a brake fluid change they could not slacken off one of the nipples and warned that if they tried harder then 80% chance it would snap which would necessitate a new caliper at ca. £800

I asked if this failure would fall under the warranty and they said not if it was a corrosion related problem like this. Does anybody have any experience of this situation?

If I had the caliper changed at my cost, I was wondering whether the old caliper could come back to me and I could get it repaired professionally (helicoil?) and then I could sell it to recover some of my costs. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks

seeforez · 23 Apr 2017

hi,
before replacing i would speak to a good indy you can get caliper repair kits, or there is somebody on here search for procaliper

http://pro-calipers.co.uk/

DRZ911 · 23 Apr 2017

Sorry, but no direct experience of a car under Porsche warranty.

However, did have an Audi garage snap a bleed nipple off on a TT (outside warranty) and they obviously charged me the full cost of the replacement caliper.

From a Porsche warranty point of view, think there is an argument here, in that it is the selection of materials for the aluminium caliper body and the steel nipple which has caused the seizure through electrolytic corrosion (aluminium against steel), or some heavy handed mechanic on a previous fluid change (would be good if you had a service record for the last fluid change). In my view, it is is not wear and tear as such as it is due to the fundamental selection of materials. So best of luck pushing for a warranty claim, or at least some contribution from Porsche.

If you do have to pay the full price, then there is absolutely no reason why the old caliper should not be given to you for refurbishment.

MarkC4S · 23 Apr 2017

Thanks for the useful link and comments. I fully agree that if there is corrosion/interaction between the metals used then this is a design problem. I think it is a god argument, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a common problem and a common warranty rebuttal.

I think I will go the indy route to correct this as caliper is otherwise mint.

Alex · 23 Apr 2017

MarkC4S said:
When the OCP did a brake fluid change they could not slacken off one of the nipples and warned that if they tried harder then 80% chance it would snap which would necessitate a new caliper at ca. £800

:floor: :floor: :floor: :floor: :floor:

They're seriously taking the p**s mate. New calliper instead of removing a broken nipple?????????

That's just a job's worth manoeuvre because they can't be bothered to deal with the issue or getting a tricky part out. :nooo:

Alex · 23 Apr 2017

Ask your OPC - if it's a corrosion issue, how come the other 7 came undone? or was it more a case of their ham fisted technician over tightening it the last time?

Alex · 23 Apr 2017

MarkC4S said:
If I had the caliper changed at my cost, I was wondering whether the old caliper could come back to me and I could get it repaired professionally (helicoil?)

It wouldn't need helicoiling. All it needs is some wd-40 or plus gas or the likes squirting on it for 10 minutes then a screw extractor winding down the middle and it undoing.

Worst case would be to just drill it out until tapping diameter is achieved and then the threads picking out or a tap running down.

I can just imagine OPC technician telling you you need a new engine when the time comes to replace your manifold bolts

infrasilver · 23 Apr 2017

They can get corroded and stuck in there solid, I have one that broke off but I haven't got around to getting the old one drilled out yet. I tried a easy out but that broke in the hole and this is what stopped me in my tracks. I need to get the caliper off and sent to an engineer to remove it.

Try your local Indy, they should be able to get it drilled out and make sure you replace all the others with stainless steel bleed nipples, don't use standard Porsche steel items again as you will be in the same boat in a couple of years.

deMort · 23 Apr 2017

Quick google and came up with this ..

http://www.brakecaliperspecialists.uk/snapped-or-seized-bleed-nipples/

Its not uncommon and i would think Porsche would class it as corrosion and so not pay out.

OPC wont attempt a repair so they can only offer a replacement .

At work we would either drill out or just send it to the local engineering company depending on how busy or time constraints on the car .

MarkC4S · 23 Apr 2017

Again thanks for the useful advice (swap to SS nipples). I think it really is stuck in there hard and interestingly enough two separate OCPs have advised a new caliper required if it were to snap. I think they just say this so that you can take car and drive away that day. Clearly repair possible but takes time.

chaser · 23 Apr 2017

I had this issue with my `05 C4S last year when it went into an indie for service and fluid change. They managed to snap 7 out of the 8 :roll:
They then tried to drill them out and helicoil them, which I think is wrong, they should have had `timeserts` (?) put in which I think Procalipers can do.
As I needed the car back I decided to stump up for 4 new calipers which averaged out at around £500 each.
I still have the old calipers but haven`t sent them to be assessed for refurb yet.

Duffy · 23 Apr 2017

Very common problem and I've just had fireplace the OSR calliper on my 2010 987.2 for that reason.

The issue is that the thread in the calliper is often chewed to bits when the broken nipple is forced out. Due to the taper at the bottom of the thread (where the nipple seals) you cannot helicoil these.

There is an aftermarket kit but it's relatively time consuming to do and is aimed more at the DIY/small indie than an OPC.

I've replaced all of my bleed nipples with stainless, these are coated with corrosion block grease prior to fitting.

chaser · 23 Apr 2017

Duffy said:
I've replaced all of my bleed nipples with stainless, these are coated with corrosion block grease prior to fitting.

Do you know the thread size for those ? Or do you have a link ?

NineExcellence · 23 Apr 2017

Demort said:
Quick google and came up with this ..

http://www.brakecaliperspecialists.uk/snapped-or-seized-bleed-nipples/

Its not uncommon and i would think Porsche would class it as corrosion and so not pay out.

OPC wont attempt a repair so they can only offer a replacement .

At work we would either drill out or just send it to the local engineering company depending on how busy or time constraints on the car .

Interesting - we are not allowed under our Insurance policy to do this. I hear it is the same for the OPC. The argument is the customer drives 10 miles and it leaks, so no brakes. Yet we are allowed to fit a second hand one provided it has not been tampered with.

This applies only to brake calipers.

DucatiRob · 23 Apr 2017

DRZ911 said:
From a Porsche warranty point of view, think there is an argument here, in that it is the selection of materials for the aluminium caliper body and the steel nipple which has caused the seizure through electrolytic corrosion (aluminium against steel), or some heavy handed mechanic on a previous fluid change (would be good if you had a service record for the last fluid change). In my view, it is is not wear and tear as such as it is due to the fundamental selection of materials. So best of luck pushing for a warranty claim, or at least some contribution from Porsche.

Absolutely agree with this, I would argue the point strongly with the OPC.

Caliper bleed nipple issue - warranty question

MarkC4S

Spa-Francorchamps

seeforez

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DRZ911

Mugello

MarkC4S

Spa-Francorchamps

Alex

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Alex

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Alex

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infrasilver

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deMort

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MarkC4S

Spa-Francorchamps

chaser

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Duffy

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chaser

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NineExcellence

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DucatiRob

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