yes, vice-grips the locking pliers are very useful for bleed nipples and also removing brake hoses.

I've had terrible results using flare wrenches on those things.

Another alternative is to use a small ring spanner if an open ender won't work.

Is a vice grip those adjustable locking pliers?
Either way it sounds like a plan. Thanks

Either a size ten or eleven. {not sure if you understand these type readings we have here in SA on spanner sizes}

Anyway, these bleeding nipples tend to round up after years of bleeding, especially if these cars past a few owners before yourself.
What I would suggest is to use a VICE GRIP, and get these loosened and then replace them, these nipples are bloody cheap, and can be purchased at any auto spares dealer.

thanks dattodude I think u were right.
I switched boosters between cars and now the brakes work in both... dont ask me why.

I am however stuck on bleeding the front brakes, the bleed screws are a dodgy size and all my spanners just slip around them. Anyone know exactly what size they are?

Sounds like a hole in the booster membrane. Someone else would have known this, and that's why they removed the vaccuum line. Make sure that you have the 1-way valve in the line to the vaccuum source.

Go to the wreckers and try find another one. Otherwise see if a brake place can "recondition it, by getting a new membrane. I don't think it costs that much from memory, and they should last 20 years.

Chris

hi,

I'm having problems with the brakes on my 120Y. The vaccuum hose that goes from booster to inlet manifold was blanked off until yesterday when I replaced it, however now whenever I put the brakes on (with the engine running) there's a hissing noise comes from down near the brake pedal (cant hear it from the engine bay)

Another problem is when driving and I go to put the brakes on, the pedal is really spongy, and has to be pumped once to make them come on firmly. I assumed it just needed bleeding, so I did that and the problem persists... are my two problems related, and how could I go about fixing them. If I have to, I'll switch the whole thing out of my other car, but I dont really want to do that.

ps. sorry about the long post