One-Man Brake Bleeder

[LR Max]

I looked at at autozone right now they have a pretty cheap one-man bleeding system on sale. Its like, $8.

I know you get what you pay for but considering how often I bleed brakes (aka, once every 5~10 years) I'm not interested in a $300 setup. I'm about to redo my entire brake system on my daily driver (old chevy sedan) and the brakes DEFINITELY need to be bled.

Anyone use these little crappy brake bleeders? Ok? Good enough? Shambles?

Thanks ya'll!

 

[jscusmcvet]

Been there. Still have it and have used it 2 times since 2004. Easiest way to bleed them, without question.

 

[LR Max]

Good enough for me! Thanks!

I plan on making a full inspection on everything I've got this weekend and then figuring out what I need from there. I figure brakes are a good thing!

 

[AeroNautiCal]

I've owned and used the Mityvac Brake Bleeding Kit since the late 1980's, first as a DIY mechanic, then when I set up my own full time workshop. Ironically, it was so good that it was stolen from my locker at a Police workshop I worked at.

I immediately bought another.

I can't praise this kit highly enough!

 

[spunky2268]

For some reason, first gen Nissan Xterras seem to be hard on brakes. Especially my X! I had a line wear though when the foil heat sheild wore through on the edge of the manifold, plus I"ve destroyed two calipers. Borrowed one of the "pro" kits from Advance Auto Parts the first time I had to bleed the lines... Piece of CRAP!!! Took the "pro" kit back and bought the cheapie. Hasn't let me down since. Still, it's nice to have a second set of eyes to let you know if the reservoir is getting full.

 

[esh]

Using engine vacuum works pretty well. It requires a large well-sealing glass jar, like a mason jar, a bit of copper tube and some hose. The hose needs to be sized to be snug over a bleeder valve. Cut tube into two sizes and insert into jar lid, and seal them air tight. One tube long enough to reach to fluid in the bottom of the jar, one short that will go to vacuum. Connect a long piece of hose to the short tube and attach to an engine vacuum source. Short piece of hose to the jar tube going into fluid and onto a bleeder valve. Run engine and crack a valve, making sure to keep reservoir topped. A needle valve could be used to stop vacuum or control the amount.

The key is putting things together that make well-sealed connections.

 

[ldivinag]

speedbleeder.com

 

[dwh]

Speedbleeders rock.

The Mityvac works good. My only gripe about the Mityvac type (which I've used for decades) is that the little catcher reservoir needs to be emptied so often. I generally dummy up a plastic soda bottle to use for a reservoir instead.

 

[keezer37]

Quarter inch hose and an empty jug with a little fluid in the bottom has worked just fine for me on Toyota, Honda, and BMW. I don't even bother clamping the hose at the bleeder. Just slip it on. I've replaced components and done flushes this way. Never a problem.

Beyond that, I'd opt for a simple one way valve inline of the hose.

 

[Antichrist]

I have a mityvac knocking around in the garage somewhere. I got it to bleed my clutch and it didn't work well at all. I got a Motive Power bleeder which worked great and that's what I use now.
Though I might dig out the Mityvac to try it on my F-250 since I don't have a Motive adapter for it.

 

[1911]

Motive products power bleeder, and never look back. You can get them from Amazon, Summit, Jegs, etc. Starting at about $50 (and up), depending on which model you get.

http://www.motiveproducts.com/

 

[86tuning]

In our current shop we use a mityvac bleeder. It's an air operated vacuum pump with a large 1/2 gal reservoir. Works awesome for fluid replacement and for bleeding. About $100 and requires a source of compressed air.

A shop I used to work at had a vacuum bleeder made from an old 25 lb propane tank. It simply had a ball valve on top with a long piece of vacuum hose on it. Hook up to a vacuum port on any running engine. Open ball valve to put a vacuum on the tank for a few minutes until engine idled smoothly again. Then close valve and go suck all the fluid you like, out of the reservoir or calipers or whatever you liked.

When it got heavy (more than half full) we just took the valve out and turned it upside down to drain. It had wheels on it too

A more elaborate version of the glass jar. Easier to use for a repair shop (won't drop and break it lol) and high capacity.

 

[TurboChris]

Between mighty vac and the Motive power bleeder....the Motive wins hands down. It uses pressure rather than vacuum. Attach it to the Master cylinder resivoir and you have the best one man brake bleeding system out there for your garage. It cost a little more...but it you intend to use it more than just a couple times..it's well worth the investment.

 

[dwh]

I agree - a power bleeder is superior.

But the little vacuum pump is part of my portable tool kit anyway, so I just keep using it.