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Author Topic: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size  (Read 1593 times)

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ultrafxr

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Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« on: February 14, 2019, 04:48:20 PM »

I plan to bleed my brake (and clutch) sometime this spring before riding season begins.  Several years ago on my '07 CVO Ultra I discovered the bleeder nipple was metric.  It was difficult to loosen and using my SAE wrench I nearly rounded the shoulders before I discovered my error and got the proper size metric wrench.

I don't want to have any problem with my 2018 so I've been checking and here is what I learned from trying various size wrenches.  9mm is too small and 10mm is too large so I conclude these are not metric.  5/16" is too small and while 3/8" does fit it is a bit loose - kind of like what I experienced on my '07.

I don't have either of these sizes but I see that 11/32" is a bit under 9mm so that is too small.  23/64" is a bit over 9mm so that may be a possibility.  But that is a awfully strange size - and probably hard to find and costly.  Can't believe even H-D would do that . . . but you never know.

Just wondering if anyone can confirm the proper wrench size.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2019, 04:52:38 PM by ultrafxr »
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Twolanerider

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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2019, 10:23:02 PM »

If it is 11/32 that's not really a terribly odd sized wrench.  Nor should it be unusually expensive.  Just checked Craftsman and at Lowes or Sears it's less than $8 for a single wrench.  I've got them in standard, ignition, gear and probably others.  Nothing special about 11/32.
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Twolanerider

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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2019, 10:30:13 PM »

Ok, here's a funny for you.  Just looked at the parts breakdown for a 2018 TriGlide.  Front calipers.  Bleeders are 44048-83.   83  ;D .

That's not the same bleeders as on the non-linked Brembos.  That is the same bleeders on my old FXR.  They're 3/8  :2vrolijk_21: .
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Dan_Lockwood

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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2019, 07:15:19 AM »

I plan to bleed my brake (and clutch) sometime this spring before riding season begins.  Several years ago on my '07 CVO Ultra I discovered the bleeder nipple was metric.  It was difficult to loosen and using my SAE wrench I nearly rounded the shoulders before I discovered my error and got the proper size metric wrench.

I don't want to have any problem with my 2018 so I've been checking and here is what I learned from trying various size wrenches.  9mm is too small and 10mm is too large so I conclude these are not metric.  5/16" is too small and while 3/8" does fit it is a bit loose - kind of like what I experienced on my '07.

I don't have either of these sizes but I see that 11/32" is a bit under 9mm so that is too small.  23/64" is a bit over 9mm so that may be a possibility.  But that is a awfully strange size - and probably hard to find and costly.  Can't believe even H-D would do that . . . but you never know.

Just wondering if anyone can confirm the proper wrench size.

Just a quick question, why do you feel you need to bleed the brakes and clutch on an '18?
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Dan

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ultrafxr

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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2019, 08:18:59 AM »

Just a quick question, why do you feel you need to bleed the brakes and clutch on an '18?
It’ll be two years old in August. Had a problem couple years ago in mountains. Lost rear brake and clutch due to not flushing brakes. Preventative maintenance.


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ultrafxr

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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2019, 08:20:01 AM »

Thanks Don.


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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2019, 11:00:48 AM »


Thanks to the lack of precision, parts and tools, 3/8" is correct but I've always found a 3/8" wrench to be a sloppy fit.  Look for a six point wrench or socket, less chance of rounding the nipple than with a 12 point.  If the nipples are excessively tight, you might want to try the old shadetree method.  Use an adjustable wrench that you can tighten down on the nipple to break it loose, then use your 3/8" to do the actual opening and closing while bleeding. 

Jerry
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ultrafxr

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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2019, 02:20:02 PM »

Thanks to the lack of precision, parts and tools, 3/8" is correct but I've always found a 3/8" wrench to be a sloppy fit.  Look for a six point wrench or socket, less chance of rounding the nipple than with a 12 point.  If the nipples are excessively tight, you might want to try the old shadetree method.  Use an adjustable wrench that you can tighten down on the nipple to break it loose, then use your 3/8" to do the actual opening and closing while bleeding. 

Jerry
:2vrolijk_21:
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RG_Hawg_Heaven

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Re: Brake Caliper Nipple Wrench Size
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2019, 11:58:14 AM »

You could always us a 3/8" flare-nut wrench.
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