Rear brake bleeding tab broke off, now leaking fluid

[whytry]

I was bleeding my rear brakes at the house with the 1 man vacuum pump and for some reason it would always have air in the line even when the bleeder was supposed to be closed and screw'd in. I thought it was the bleeder, so went and bought new ones and still did it. Tried another bleeder and this time the tab on the drum brake 'backing plate' (not sure of official name) where you screw the bleeder in broke off, it looks like it had a crack in it already and this was where it was leaking from... Now it's broken off and slowly draining the M/C out. Is there a way to stop it from leaking all the new fluid out? Right now I have a towel wrapped around it and then I taped the towel as tight as I could with the bleeder pushed in place, let go it falls out and leaks faster, hence taping it in place.. So it that something that can be fixed? Or do I need to new backing plates or whatever the part is called where the bleeder screw is... Also if I need a new part, can I just go to the local parts store (I doubt this but thought I would throw it out there)..

[formula]

had this happen to me on my drums too, the night before YR1 experience, after thrashing on the car for 3 months and having everything else done and ready. I'm man enough to say it--I cried a little.

Anyway, yeah, at least on mine, it doesn't look like it but you can unbolt just that part of the "backing plate", I dunno the correct term either, from the backside. I think the part that unbolts is just called the brake cylinder. Get two of them and replace both sides to make sure they don't exert different pressures. They're dirt cheap (like 10 bucks if I remember correctly) and readily available at the auto store of your choice.

[whytry]

That's great news!! I will go to Napa shortly and see if they have em.. I'll take mine off and bring it with me. So far it did not leak out all the fluid, yet...

[David Pozzi]

Depress the brake pedal part-way, that will stop the fluid from draining. Disconnect the battery so it doesn't run down from the brake lights staying on.
Replace the wheel cylinders. Remove the old one first, then measure the bore size. There are several sizes and the parts person may need the bore dia to be sure you get the right size.

Your bleeder sucking air may have been from around the bleeder threads, use some teflon tape on the threads next time.
David

[whytry]

Thanks David, I did that as well, wrapped the bleeders screw with telfon tape. Replaced cylinders in rear and all seems to be good, now.

THanks and we can close out this emergency...

[JEFFTATE]

The Teflon tape on the bleeder screw threads is a good idea.
It keeps air from getting pulled past the threads.

[oestek]

Won't teflon tape prevent the compression seal at the end of the bleeder?

[Paul_J]

Just keep the tape on the treaded part. If you do get some on the taper it will crush and seal anyway but I would try and avoid it. It does help a lot when using the vacuum bleeders to seal the treads where they tend to suck air. It will also help avoid stuck bleeder screws.