The Ford Barn

paul2748 · 09-01-2020, 07:38 PM

If it's giving you a real hard time and the above suggestions don't work, pull the cylinder off, set it in a vise and try a six point socket.

For a wrench, I would suggest a box wrench rather than the flare nut wrench shown above. If the fit on the wrench seems loose, try a metric wrench to see if you can get a tighter fit.

56yblock · 09-02-2020, 02:07 AM

i bought this one but i think the size valve bleeder is smaller
i must to find the wrench good size

54vicky · 09-02-2020, 10:06 AM

when you say you think it is smaller did you try it?if you can post a picture with the wrench on it we may see what you have for a bleeder.it may have been replaced over the years.the replacement would not have affected the braking if the bore was the same.there should be a number cast into the cylinder if so that will tell you what to order (meaning a new one) I have had the head of bleeder break off in over 60 years of trying to loosen old cylinders.this even doing everything heat etc.as I said a picture will end the conjecture.cylinders are not expensive when compared to time and frustration

Daves55Sedan · 09-02-2020, 10:06 PM

Once upon a time, I can remember saying I would never have any metric tools. Then came the replacement wheel cylinders which had metric bleeders. Then came this neighbor and that neighbor asking for help working on their junker which turned out requiring metric tools. Out of frustration finally, I broke down and bought a set of metric wrenches and sockets both up to 15mm sizes.
I keep the metric wrenches in a separate box from my SAE wrenches.
I keep the metric sockets in a separate box from my SAE sockets.
Since the boxes are identical for both, I have them both labelled.
Everything in my garage can be found in an instant due to meticulous organization.
I have used one of those partially open ended wrenches like your photo shows on the brake bleeder screws, but mine were not frozen up and I had at one time 3/8" bleeder screws (original). The wrench was 3/8" on one end, 7/16" on the other end.
I would not use that if the screw is locked tight. Go with a 6-point socket.
I have 1/2" drive, 3/8" drive and 1/4" drive sockets and wrench sets, each in separate boxes and labelled. Anytime I have ever needed to bleed brakes, I run straight for the 1/4" drive socket box.
Keep this up and eventually you will learn every nut and bolt size and length and threads per inch used on the car and where they are used.

56yblock · 09-03-2020, 12:51 AM

yes i've tried it, i'll post a pic with the wrench on the valve bleeder,
the valve bleeders front and back are different sizes

DENNIS MCNAMARA · 07-18-2022, 07:33 PM

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I have used a six point deep 3/8 socket 1/4 drive with success. Also my wrench of choice for 50 plus years is a K/D offset box wrench 1/8 on one side and 3/8 on the other. This tool was design for use on wheel cylinder. I did like and will try some of the other suggestion as I always get good suggestion on the Ford Barn

09-01-2020, 07:38 PM	#21
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: front wheel cylinder bleeding tools If it's giving you a real hard time and the above suggestions don't work, pull the cylinder off, set it in a vise and try a six point socket. For a wrench, I would suggest a box wrench rather than the flare nut wrench shown above. If the fit on the wrench seems loose, try a metric wrench to see if you can get a tighter fit. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

09-02-2020, 10:06 AM	#23
54vicky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 586	Re: front wheel cylinder bleeding tools when you say you think it is smaller did you try it?if you can post a picture with the wrench on it we may see what you have for a bleeder.it may have been replaced over the years.the replacement would not have affected the braking if the bore was the same.there should be a number cast into the cylinder if so that will tell you what to order (meaning a new one) I have had the head of bleeder break off in over 60 years of trying to loosen old cylinders.this even doing everything heat etc.as I said a picture will end the conjecture.cylinders are not expensive when compared to time and frustration

09-02-2020, 10:06 PM	#24
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: front wheel cylinder bleeding tools Once upon a time, I can remember saying I would never have any metric tools. Then came the replacement wheel cylinders which had metric bleeders. Then came this neighbor and that neighbor asking for help working on their junker which turned out requiring metric tools. Out of frustration finally, I broke down and bought a set of metric wrenches and sockets both up to 15mm sizes. I keep the metric wrenches in a separate box from my SAE wrenches. I keep the metric sockets in a separate box from my SAE sockets. Since the boxes are identical for both, I have them both labelled. Everything in my garage can be found in an instant due to meticulous organization. I have used one of those partially open ended wrenches like your photo shows on the brake bleeder screws, but mine were not frozen up and I had at one time 3/8" bleeder screws (original). The wrench was 3/8" on one end, 7/16" on the other end. I would not use that if the screw is locked tight. Go with a 6-point socket. I have 1/2" drive, 3/8" drive and 1/4" drive sockets and wrench sets, each in separate boxes and labelled. Anytime I have ever needed to bleed brakes, I run straight for the 1/4" drive socket box. Keep this up and eventually you will learn every nut and bolt size and length and threads per inch used on the car and where they are used.

09-03-2020, 12:51 AM	#25
56yblock Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 270	Re: front wheel cylinder bleeding tools yes i've tried it, i'll post a pic with the wrench on the valve bleeder, the valve bleeders front and back are different sizes

07-18-2022, 07:33 PM	#26
DENNIS MCNAMARA Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 6	Re: front wheel cylinder bleeding tools Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have used a six point deep 3/8 socket 1/4 drive with success. Also my wrench of choice for 50 plus years is a K/D offset box wrench 1/8 on one side and 3/8 on the other. This tool was design for use on wheel cylinder. I did like and will try some of the other suggestion as I always get good suggestion on the Ford Barn