Let's talk one man brake bleeder

[75gmck25]

I used the Motive power bleeder on my BMW and it worked really well. I had to get the version with a cap that screwed onto the BMW brake reservoir, but other than that it was very simple. Just add brake fluid to the container and pressurize it, and then crack the bleeder at each wheel.

Motive has a universal version of the brake reservoir cap adapter that should work with my 1975 GM master cylinder.

 

[Radiohead]

I used the gravity method.

I've had pretty good luck with that too. Once I get a bubble less stream, I close the bleeder. Take the pedal depressor (after pumping the brakes up by foot) and while holding the pedal down, lock it in place. Go to the bleeder, open until flow slows, lather rinse repeat. Crude but effective. Usually.

If not then I get Mrs Radiohead involved. She is actually really good at doing it but I don't bother her with that much these days.

 

[saltdog]

I use these https://www.speedbleeder.com/

 

[Ricko1966]

I use these https://www.speedbleeder.com/

I made 1 of those into a 1 man bleeder about 30 years ago. Threaded it into a fitting put bleeder tubing on the fitting and the factory bleeder. The reason was it was now a tool for anything anytime I needed to bleed. I have no idea whatever happened to it. I'm going to have to dig through all my tool boxes.

 

[Grit dog]

Kinda funny term, when I was younger “Hack” is how we referred to lazy or incompetent tradesmen.

It still is 100%. Just has an additional connotation.

 

[Rick76]

One man brake bleed? Solved: https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-21623-12701.aspx These are available retail and work like a charm. Why would anyone use anything else?

 

[Ricko1966]

One man brake bleed? Solved: https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-21623-12701.aspx These are available retail and work like a charm. Why would anyone use anything else?

For one,they don't make them to fit everything. For another they are specific application. Meaning I can buy one tool to bleed the brakes on any car anytime I want to forever, or buy 4 speed bleeders in advance to bleed the brakes on one car only.

 

[Keith Seymore]

I've done them all.

I hate them all with a passion that burns brighter than the fires of Hell.



Except Ricko1966's vacuum set up. Gonna have to give that a try (I'm presently converting my Chevelle from power disc/drum to manual disc/disc. Like this very minute).

K

 

[Rick76]

I was pulling my hair out trying to use MityVac and the speed bleeders just evaporated my problem. Could definitely see a proper bleeder setup if you plan on having multiple cars to work on.

 

[Ricko1966]

I've done them all.

I hate them all with a passion that burns brighter than the fires of Hell.



Except Ricko1966's vacuum set up. Gonna have to give that a try (I'm presently converting my Chevelle from power disc/drum to manual disc/disc. Like this very minute).

K

I've thought about this harder than I care to admit. If I were going to make it into a full time brake bleeder,the way I would do it is,I'd using nylon tubing like icemaker tubing and short pieces of vacuum hose on the ends as connectors. On the wheel cylinder end of the nylon tubing I'd drill a small hole you could cover your thumb. Hook everything up start the car, put your thumb over the hole crack your bleeder,watch your bubbles and flyid,listen for the idle to change tighten the bleeder. Take your thumb off the hole and let engine vacuum clear the hose. Then move to the next wheel. That would keep the tubing relatively clean and minimize drips.

 

[Ricko1966]

Double post

 

[edgephoto]

I bought a metal pressure bleeder off Amazon. It came with a whole assortment of master cylinder adapters. I bought a metal adapter to use. I filled the unit with 3 liters of fluid. I removed a half liter from each wheel. Nice pedal and not one drop of fluid spilled.

I previously tried to use a mityvac type hand vacuum bleeder. What a pain in the ass.

I set the pressure bleeder to 1 bar. $120 well spent. Will make yearly fluid flushes a piece of cake.