Are there any good techniques for getting these open without turning them off? and if turned off, any way to get the darn thing out?!

Some good penetrating oil allowed to soak overnight

and using a socket wrench to initially loosen them

usually works for me. Since they are hollow, they

are relatively easy to drill out, using progressively

larger drills. By the time you get up to 5/16"

(8mm) it should be loose enough that you can

get it out. Most are a UNF (formerly SAE)

bolt thread so it is easy to retap them if necessary.

WARNING!

Be careful not to drill too deep or you can

really screw up your caliper.

I had the same problem with a FIAT (steel bleed screws in an aluminum caliper) resulting in four nipples utterly welded into the calipers. Techniques to PREVENT this from happening:

-Frequent change of fluid and regular bleeding;

-Use of a compatible anti-seize compound on the screw threads. Try an aluminum-based paste.

Techniques to open the nipples once seized:

-Liberal applications of a good-quality penetrating oil (I prefer PB Blaster) over several days.

-Use of thermal shock to loosen the threads. Try heating the screws with a hot air gun (watch your hoses!) and then putting an ice cube directly on the screw. Then apply more penetrating oil and use the wrench.

-Use six-point (not twelve) sockets so you can get a perfect fit of socket-to-screw and not round the flats.

If you have to drill them out, have a machine shop do it. One slip up on re-threading and you will lose your brakes. I,m almost of the opinion that this might be an argument for rebuilt calipers.