Like many mechanics, I save the old bleed screws from various units. This come in very handy when replacing brake pipes. The male threaded metal blanking plugs that normally come fitted to ABS units and the like, are useful when removing brake pipes and fitting new units.

It is often necessary to block the end of a brake pipe while changing a brake caliper or valve, if the unit can’t be fitted quickly. In these instances, I have made my own little brake pipe caps using a short length of Cupro Nickel Kunifer brake pipe and a female union.

Sealing the end of the pipe by squashing it in the vice is sufficient to prevent the brake fluid from escaping. With the union tightened up to the brake pipe, no brake fluid leaks out.

The temporary blanking plug is also good enough to move the vehicle around the workshop if needed, which makes it far more useful than a rubber plug.

You can download this story as a PDF, as well as other technical tips at TechTips.ie.

There are lots more Tech Tips to view, and they are all searchable, on TechTips.ie.