Is this a leaking brake fluid bleed nipple ?? (pics)

[simac]

I'll start from the beginning LOL

I had the brake fluid changed at the last service, about 3k miles ago. I noticed that the brake fluid was below max so went back, they told me it was probably wear on the brakes and gave me some fluid to top it up myself. I did and noticed yesterday that the level has dropped again.

Well, both of the rear wheels were off today at the tyre place and I noticed this (pics below) this part which I think is a bleed nipple seems to be seeping, the second picture shows the same part on the other side which is bone dry.

If it is a leaking nipple can I just "Nip" it up with a small ring spanner ??

Cheers

[mick p]

Yes you can,but keep a close eye on it just in case it still leaks take the rubber dust cover off and dry it as well

[simac]

Thanks mate, i'll do it tomorrow.

I'm assuming that they didin't tighten it up enough when they bled the old fluid out i'd never have found that if I hadn't had the rear wheels and tyres changed over today !

[Duncan]

....they told me it was probably wear on the brakes...

What?!!!! That's a new one on me. Brakes don't leak that quickly if they have wear on them, only when they have problems like cylinders going etc. or garages not tightening a nipple up enough after changing the fluid! Cheeky bu**ers. I bet they didn't even look at the brakes to come up with their 'diagnosis'?

As above dry it all off and just keep an eye on it after tightening it up.

[simac]

Aye D I've been the victim of a so called VX trained technician at the local dealer again. He said the level would drop as the brakes wear, I said it had dropped a lot for just 3/4 k miles - his response was - the level will drop as the brakes wear

You'd think he would have a look at it first wouldn't you !

[simac]

Well, I had a go just now and the nut on the bleed nipple is solid. It seems tight and doesn't want to budge.

Trying to find out why i'm losing some fluid, must be going somewhere else.

[mick p]

the brake fluid level does go down as brakes wear its because there is more volume in the calipers as the pads wear ie the pistons stay further out but your correct i would`nt think your level should have gone down that much after that milage think there must be a leak somewhere

[rushy]

Well, I had a go just now and the nut on the bleed nipple is solid. It seems tight and doesn't want to budge.

Trying to find out why i'm losing some fluid, must be going somewhere else.

It could have been over tightened in the first place or cross threaded. Might just be worth replacing the nipple.

[Gsi3.2]

it's some leak if it gets on top of the bleed nipple cover....

wipe the nipple and cover dry and see if the dampness comes back...for one, i'd be surprised if it's a leaking nipple on that caliper as there's not enough spray and if the nipple was loose, you'd have no pedal whatsoever..

[simac]

I think i've found what it is.

It looks like the oily mess on there is shock abosorber oil, the last shocks let go big style. Enough for some oil to be on the wheel and I think the ones on there now have leaked too.

When I took the rubber cap off the nipple underneath was bright silver and very clean.

I intend to change them over the xmas break anyway so i'll clean everything up then with something like AG's machine cleaner and see how it goes.

The front disks are quite worn, the've done almost 65k miles. At the same service I asked them to change them but they said they would be fine until the pads wear out (second set).

Cars hey, who'd av' em !!