Z brake question - stripped - :( - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Tom Ngan · 05-14-2007, 12:02 AM

Upon installation of my Z brakes up front on my S14 I realized that one of the inlets on the caliper is stripped.

My conversion lines go in but only partially and the brake fluid still leaks out.

The hole where the brake line goes into the caliper is stripped. Anyone has any recommendations on how to fix this? My friend said I can just retap it and get a bigger fitting, is there any way to retap it and just reinstall the brake line as if it wasn't stripped in the first place?

Also I was unaware that I should use plumbers tape on the brake line, would this be enough to stop the brake fluid from leaking?
Any help would be awesome thanks

s13silvia123 · 05-14-2007, 12:14 AM

use thread lock red or blue. works like a charm. put the theard lock liquid around the threads for the conversion lines. to plug that sucker in and wait til it dries up and there you go.

Jung918 · 05-14-2007, 01:44 AM

I would try a tap the same size. See if that works. Also I believe you are talking about teflon tape. The white one is make for water/steam and the yellow one is made for gas/solvent. However, you shouldn't need to use it. Especially for the brakes.

nassin31spr · 05-14-2007, 04:42 AM

If its stipped beyond repair it would be easier and cheaper to go ahead and retap it a larger size.

sr240dett3 · 05-14-2007, 05:31 AM

try to re tap it the same size, and yes you can use Teflon tape on the fitting to the line to the caliper.

My PDM brake lines come with Teflon tap on that fitting.

And just a reminder.. be careful with aluminum (guessing thats what you have) calipers.. they strip easily

cdlong · 05-14-2007, 12:02 PM

no! no teflon tape! they're straight cut threads, tape won't help because it's made for tapered threads. the seat is what makes the seal, not the threads.

just clean up the threads the best you can so you can thread the line in. if the remaining threads are strong enough to hold the line with the proper torque, the seat will still seal properly and you'll be fine.

if not, just buy a new caliper. don't ghetto rig something that keeps you from crashing into stuff.

sr180sx · 05-14-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdlong

no! no teflon tape! they're straight cut threads, tape won't help because it's made for tapered threads. the seat is what makes the seal, not the threads.

You can still use teflon tape on straight threads, you just need to put enough on that it all goes to the back and creates an o-ring type seal. thats what they do in Europe

Tom Ngan · 05-15-2007, 02:31 AM

Hmm.. I like the thread lock idea. But lets hear some other options.

Would thread lock permentally stick the lines to the caliper?
I think its a waste of money to buy another caliper especially if my current one is perfectly fine, freshly rebuilt etc.

Is there anyway to retap it myself? what are the procedures? I called around shops and their going to charge me 100 bucks roughly to retap it....

nassin31spr · 05-15-2007, 06:27 AM

Go to your local hardware store. Some wheres that sells tools even Lowe's. They will have tap and die kits. Lows has some by size. Take your 1/8npt fitting with you and most hardware stores will point you int the right direction and the size to go with. You get the kit its a tap, handle, tap lube, drill bit. You take the caliper and clean it off. Put it on a level surface and very carefully drill it out with a high speed drill. Make it as straight as you can. Clean it out, get your tap kit, I use a easy tap lube or oil. Hold the tap firmly and begin threading it into the whole. Try to be aware of the depth and make sure you don't strip it out again. When you are at the depth you want back it out and clean it up and your good to go. I would advice stripping out some old calipers and at least try it once on another caliper before you try it on z32 calipers. Practice makes perfect but its actually really easy. Good luck.

Jung918 · 05-15-2007, 08:50 AM

^If he makes the holes bigger he wont be able to use the lines he has now.

Tom Ngan · 05-15-2007, 03:29 PM

I guess would using thread lock be a ridiculous idea?

I don't mind if the line is stuck to the caliper forever, but I don't want it to undo itself or anything as i'm driving.

nassin31spr · 05-15-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jung918

^If he makes the holes bigger he wont be able to use the lines he has now.

He has to order a new fitting to fit the caliper. The stock size is 1/8th npt. he just has to go one size up. These are conversion lines not stock ones.

tknbkthrsdy4anfg · 05-15-2007, 06:17 PM

Wow I wanted to leave this alone but since there is no logic going on here I am going to interject.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT AS TO THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR BRAKE SYSTEM DO NOT BAND-AIDE THE PROBLEM!!!

Are you guys retarded? this is his brakes, the things that keep your from running into stuff we're talking about.
Don't use teflon tape or thread loc, thats not what the fitting is designed for. First try a tap with the OEM thread pitch, and if it still leaks, junk it and get a new caliper.

Skullavera · 05-15-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tknbkthrsdy4anfg

Wow I wanted to leave this alone but since there is no logic going on here I am going to interject.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT AS TO THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR BRAKE SYSTEM DO NOT BAND-AIDE THE PROBLEM!!!

Are you guys retarded? this is his brakes, the things that keep your from running into stuff we're talking about.
Don't use teflon tape or thread loc, thats not what the fitting is designed for. First try a tap with the OEM thread pitch, and if it still leaks, junk it and get a new caliper.

^^^Definitely. C'mon guys, thread lock? Teflon tape? Do it right and re-tap, basically what tknbkthrsdy4anfg stated. The brake system is hydraulic so shit has to fit PERFECTLY. I wouldn't trust any of the other suggestions at all. If you mickey mouse your lines, you'll regret it when you lose all brake pressure and can't stop at a critical moment. Trust me, don't go around it because you want to save a couple of bucks and want your car on the road now.

O3DigitalBath · 05-15-2007, 08:14 PM

word, don't ghetto that shit.

if its fucked just buy a new one fromt he parts store.

*jspecusa* · 05-16-2007, 12:59 AM

z calipers are cheap by itself, it's only your life so spend what you think it's worth.
I like overkill on brakes, once you had nice brake you can't go any less.

nassin31spr · 05-16-2007, 06:14 AM

Tell you the truth I should apologize to you to. It was irresponsible of me to give you the advice to re-tap it. Brakes are one of the most important things on your car and you really shouldn't settle for anything less than perfect. You can re-tap but it is a lot safer to go with new or another caliper. The choice is yours and sorry again.

05-14-2007, 12:02 AM	#1
Tom Ngan Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: x Posts: 102 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Z brake question - stripped - :( Upon installation of my Z brakes up front on my S14 I realized that one of the inlets on the caliper is stripped. My conversion lines go in but only partially and the brake fluid still leaks out. The hole where the brake line goes into the caliper is stripped. Anyone has any recommendations on how to fix this? My friend said I can just retap it and get a bigger fitting, is there any way to retap it and just reinstall the brake line as if it wasn't stripped in the first place? Also I was unaware that I should use plumbers tape on the brake line, would this be enough to stop the brake fluid from leaking? Any help would be awesome thanks

05-14-2007, 12:14 AM	#2
s13silvia123 Post Whore! Join Date: May 2006 Location: where waldo is Age: 43 Posts: 3,267 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	use thread lock red or blue. works like a charm. put the theard lock liquid around the threads for the conversion lines. to plug that sucker in and wait til it dries up and there you go. __________________ 18g and 20g turbo users click on me http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/261219-18g-20g-turbo-users.html

05-14-2007, 01:44 AM	#3
Jung918 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CA Posts: 3,203 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I would try a tap the same size. See if that works. Also I believe you are talking about teflon tape. The white one is make for water/steam and the yellow one is made for gas/solvent. However, you shouldn't need to use it. Especially for the brakes. __________________ Sale: Hello Kitty Horn Button S14 Rear Valences K.Y. Gordon the Thief (Tony Chen)

05-14-2007, 04:42 AM	#4
nassin31spr Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: clay town NC Age: 45 Posts: 437 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	If its stipped beyond repair it would be easier and cheaper to go ahead and retap it a larger size. __________________ *"Home is where the armor is"*

05-14-2007, 05:31 AM	#5
sr240dett3 Leaky Injector Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Camp Hill, PA Age: 39 Posts: 141 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	try to re tap it the same size, and yes you can use Teflon tape on the fitting to the line to the caliper. My PDM brake lines come with Teflon tap on that fitting. And just a reminder.. be careful with aluminum (guessing thats what you have) calipers.. they strip easily __________________ S13 - RB25

05-14-2007, 12:02 PM	#6
cdlong Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Age: 44 Posts: 1,865 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: cdlong Feedback Score: 0 reviews	no! no teflon tape! they're straight cut threads, tape won't help because it's made for tapered threads. the seat is what makes the seal, not the threads. just clean up the threads the best you can so you can thread the line in. if the remaining threads are strong enough to hold the line with the proper torque, the seat will still seal properly and you'll be fine. if not, just buy a new caliper. don't ghetto rig something that keeps you from crashing into stuff. __________________

05-15-2007, 02:31 AM	#8
Tom Ngan Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: x Posts: 102 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hmm.. I like the thread lock idea. But lets hear some other options. Would thread lock permentally stick the lines to the caliper? I think its a waste of money to buy another caliper especially if my current one is perfectly fine, freshly rebuilt etc. Is there anyway to retap it myself? what are the procedures? I called around shops and their going to charge me 100 bucks roughly to retap it....

05-15-2007, 06:27 AM	#9
nassin31spr Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: clay town NC Age: 45 Posts: 437 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Go to your local hardware store. Some wheres that sells tools even Lowe's. They will have tap and die kits. Lows has some by size. Take your 1/8npt fitting with you and most hardware stores will point you int the right direction and the size to go with. You get the kit its a tap, handle, tap lube, drill bit. You take the caliper and clean it off. Put it on a level surface and very carefully drill it out with a high speed drill. Make it as straight as you can. Clean it out, get your tap kit, I use a easy tap lube or oil. Hold the tap firmly and begin threading it into the whole. Try to be aware of the depth and make sure you don't strip it out again. When you are at the depth you want back it out and clean it up and your good to go. I would advice stripping out some old calipers and at least try it once on another caliper before you try it on z32 calipers. Practice makes perfect but its actually really easy. Good luck. __________________ *"Home is where the armor is"*

05-15-2007, 08:50 AM	#10
Jung918 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CA Posts: 3,203 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	^If he makes the holes bigger he wont be able to use the lines he has now. __________________ Sale: Hello Kitty Horn Button S14 Rear Valences K.Y. Gordon the Thief (Tony Chen)

05-15-2007, 03:29 PM	#11
Tom Ngan Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: x Posts: 102 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I guess would using thread lock be a ridiculous idea? I don't mind if the line is stuck to the caliper forever, but I don't want it to undo itself or anything as i'm driving.

05-15-2007, 08:14 PM	#15
O3DigitalBath Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ~Orlando, FL Age: 40 Posts: 664 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	word, don't ghetto that shit. if its fucked just buy a new one fromt he parts store.

05-16-2007, 12:59 AM	#16
jspecusa Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: socal Posts: 1,339 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	z calipers are cheap by itself, it's only your life so spend what you think it's worth. I like overkill on brakes, once you had nice brake you can't go any less. __________________ Nissan Japan: "road to happiness has many curves" Jdmlivin: "Jdm is dead, the yen is crazy"

05-16-2007, 06:14 AM	#17
nassin31spr Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: clay town NC Age: 45 Posts: 437 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Tell you the truth I should apologize to you to. It was irresponsible of me to give you the advice to re-tap it. Brakes are one of the most important things on your car and you really shouldn't settle for anything less than perfect. You can re-tap but it is a lot safer to go with new or another caliper. The choice is yours and sorry again. __________________ *"Home is where the armor is"*