The bleeder valve on my ZSpeed HD CSC is quite rusty. I guess it was bound to happen given that it just hangs outside of the transmission .

What should I do to ensure I don't break it when I go to bleed it in the near future?

 

Replace it? Remove it, wire brush rust off, coat with silicone grease, reinstall?

 

If you do the above, don't let the reservoir run dry... Plug the hole up with something suitable while you clean/replace the bleeder.

 

I think I'll try cleaning it up on the car first, with the bleeder closed and without removing it. Replacing the bleeder is a good idea, I'll look into sizing of the bleeder.

I am hoping it is surface rust, but my fear is that rust has formed in the threads and may give me a hard time when I go to crack it open. Would it be okay to use some PB Blaster on it before opening it? I believe it would be, but would like some opinions. I would hope this would creep into the threads and make life a little easier.

 

Using penetrating lube on it is fine. Be very careful with it, it's tiny and fragile. It will snap off relatively easily. I broke mine off a long time back.

 

I sheared off the bleeder on the original CSC when I tried to bleed it. This is also a big reason why I am concerned.

 

Make sure you use the proper tool for the job. A well fitting 6 point socket could be used to break it loose. Use a flare nut wrench there after. A standard wrench only grabs on 2 sides. The flare nut wrench grabs on 5 sides.

 

I am thinking of using either a box end wrench or a flare nut wrench to hold the part closest to the line going to the CSC and a 6 point socket on the bleeder itself would be the safest to crack it all loose.

 

Success! I sprayed the bleeder with some liquid wrench and then worked on my brakes for a few hours so it would have time to soak and work. I used an 11mm flare nut wrench to hold the base of the bleeder and 6 point 3/8" socket on an electric impact gun to crack the bleeder loose.