Brake Bleeders

[fasteddieyj]

Looking into buying a brake bleeder for when I do the brakes on my Honda in the next week or two. I normally just buy the speedy valves, but can't find a set that seat properly in the calipers. Thinking about the Motive Products power bleeder. Anybody have one, or have experience with one. Likes, dislikes. Any other options to look at? And the $300+ Phoenix Systems bleeder is definitely out. Although a similar product at a lower price might be ok. Possibly something like this:http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00914005000P?keyword=brake&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=L5
Again, anyone own one of these or a similar one? Any likes or dislikes?
Sorry in advance for sort of rambling.

 

[aszaunmi]

I have one of these and wouldnt use anything else.
http://store.motiveproducts.com/bleeders-c15.aspx

I don't fill it with brake fluid anymore. I just make sure I have plenty in the vehicle. Then pump the air up to 10 or 15 psi. Brakes are done in less than 20 mins.

 

[Jeepman401]

The motive looks like a much better choice. Manual vacuum bleeders like the craftsman one are a pain to work with at times.
I recommend Gravity bleed, or call a friend.

 

[alex22]

I have one of these and wouldnt use anything else.
http://store.motiveproducts.com/bleeders-c15.aspx

I don't fill it with brake fluid anymore. I just make sure I have plenty in the vehicle. Then pump the air up to 10 or 15 psi. Brakes are done in less than 20 mins.

Even better yet, use a paint gun air regulator and water separator dialed into 15psi and you don't need to wear yourself out pumping that bottle up. I was able to bleed the brakes (yes, all 4) on my passat in 5 mins after I swapped a caliper.

~Alex

 

[xjtrailrider]

I use an old 20oz water bottle and some clear surgical tubing and pressure bleed the brakes myself, works great and cost is only pennies.

 

[87manche]

I have a constant duty vacuum pump from a vacuum bagging fiberglass setup a while back. It pull 7" of Hg. I made a Mason jar with a dip tube and some bulkhead fittings and I use that to vacuum bleed brakes and clutches.

that said., speed bleeders FTW.

 

[dellstopjeep]

I have a mighty vac. It looks like the craftsman and it works okay. problem is it just doesnt build pressure like someone pumping a pedal so it takes much much longer. Good news is you dont have to listen to your wife bitching about her foot being tired after ten minutes. Also the rubber nipples wear out fast and dont seal over bleeder screws properly after bleeding a few vehicles. My suggestion is buy a stockpile for when they start failing.

 

[iwannadie]

I've been a speed bleeder fan for a long time. For some reason I decided to try a craftsman vacuum bleeder kit though. It wasn't cheap but I thought it would be handy. I'm not sure if I was just doing it wrong, got a bad one or just had too high of hopes for it.

It was a pain trying to build a vacuum with the hoses kinking or slipping off. I never got a good bleed, I always saw air going back into the caliper or just not enough fluid coming back out. I'm not sure if I should had allowed it longer to vacuum or what, I thought it was supposed to speed the process up not take 10x longer.

In the end I tried it twice then returned it. It was a hassle trying to return it too. Brake fluid was always spilling out when I tried it and of course the brake fluid stripped off all the wording and made it look 20 years old. I had my receipt showing I had bought it the day before but they were not happy taking it back. It just didn't work for me though.

I'm sticking with speed bleeders and if I can talk the ole lady into helping it's that much better. I like laying under and watching the fluid come out but it's much quicker not having to open/close the valve so she doesn't mind as much. If no one is around I can bleed them myself though no worries.

 

[fasteddieyj]

Thanks for the responses guys. Think I'm gonna order one of the Motive bleeders today.

 

[JAS]

I am also a fan of the speed bleeders....If I open a brake line... A pair of speed bleeders go in.

 

[AIbandit]

Thanks for the responses guys. Think I'm gonna order one of the Motive bleeders today.

This setup has been around a long time and it's simple to make. someone just finally decided to profit off of it.

I made one of these for less than 15$ and ten minutes of my time.

 

[AIbandit]

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/campingart/jettatech/bleeder/index.htm

 

[kastein]

I've been a speed bleeder fan for a long time. For some reason I decided to try a craftsman vacuum bleeder kit though. It wasn't cheap but I thought it would be handy. I'm not sure if I was just doing it wrong, got a bad one or just had too high of hopes for it.

It was a pain trying to build a vacuum with the hoses kinking or slipping off. I never got a good bleed, I always saw air going back into the caliper or just not enough fluid coming back out. I'm not sure if I should had allowed it longer to vacuum or what, I thought it was supposed to speed the process up not take 10x longer.

In the end I tried it twice then returned it. It was a hassle trying to return it too. Brake fluid was always spilling out when I tried it and of course the brake fluid stripped off all the wording and made it look 20 years old. I had my receipt showing I had bought it the day before but they were not happy taking it back. It just didn't work for me though.

I'm sticking with speed bleeders and if I can talk the ole lady into helping it's that much better. I like laying under and watching the fluid come out but it's much quicker not having to open/close the valve so she doesn't mind as much. If no one is around I can bleed them myself though no worries.

I like to watch also so I can tell when I've finished bleeding that wheel (I use speed bleeders) - so I kneel next to the jeep and use one hand to push the pedal while watching the fluid in the clear hose. Might not work if you're under 6 feet tall... lying across the front seats and using one arm might work better. Hope you don't mind a head rush once in a while. Bleeding brakes in this position does make it hard to drink beer while working unless you use a straw, and who the hell does that?

What if you blow a brake line on the trail? Are you gonna have the vacuum bleeder with you? I carry some spare lines and tools and brake fluid, with speed bleeders I can be back to 100% instead of having a ton of air in the lines till I get home.

 

[iwannadie]

I like to watch also so I can tell when I've finished bleeding that wheel (I use speed bleeders) - so I kneel next to the jeep and use one hand to push the pedal while watching the fluid in the clear hose. Might not work if you're under 6 feet tall... lying across the front seats and using one arm might work better. Hope you don't mind a head rush once in a while. Bleeding brakes in this position does make it hard to drink beer while working unless you use a straw, and who the hell does that?

What if you blow a brake line on the trail? Are you gonna have the vacuum bleeder with you? I carry some spare lines and tools and brake fluid, with speed bleeders I can be back to 100% instead of having a ton of air in the lines till I get home.

I have done that also, pumping the brakes with my hand while leaning my head under the vehicle to watch the fluid. It's not that bad and a bright light positioned just right so I could see the fluid coming out. It's not my preferred method but doable enough.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I have a snap-on air version of that motive one. Works great. You just connect
it to compressor and theres a lever you squeeze.