Sheared brake nipples

[klu99apm]

Before I started replacing all the brake lines at the back of the car I thought I'd check the bleed nipples undo.

Well they didn't! And they paid the ultimate sacrifice for their stuborness (actually I didn't think I applied that much force, especially the second time)

Can I drill the old ones out and replace or would it be easier just to replace both the rear calipers with ones that have functioning nipples?

[gareth]

i did just this earlier! luckily i had a spare caliper in the garage.

that one needed to be stripped though as the bleed nipple drilling was blocked!!!

[Theo]

Oh dearm is there nothing left of the bleed nipple?

Molegrips are great for stubborn/rounded/gay bleed nipples, but if there's nothing left of them, then it's too late!

[Brianmoooore]

Can I drill the old ones out and replace or would it be easier just to replace both the rear calipers with ones that have functioning nipples?

Shouldn't need drilling as there's already a hole down the middle.
Won't be able to use a very big extractor though. Day or two's treatment with WD40 and you may be lucky, but I doubt it.

[smithy318i]

use heat next time... lots of it. (you cant beat a blowlamp and a pair of molegrips)

You can drill the hole a bit bigger, then use a stud extractor tool.

[evodan]

If theres anything left sticking out then I've seen it done by welding a similar sized bolt onto the stub. U can then get a spanner on it plus the heat will free it off, does work.

[gareth]

mine snapped of flush.

why on earth did BMW use M7 threads? the only other time i've EVER seen M7 is on pug 205 strut top nute.