Brake bleeder
 

I need to buy a new, one man, brake bleeder. Who makes a really good, reasonably priced bleeder.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

Motive Products "Power Bleeder". Not really powered but very reasonably priced and works well. Be sure you get the kit for your particular master cylinder.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

Pustelny taught me how to bleed brakes years ago, and I've never used another method since. Fill the system and open the bleeders. Once they're open, just keep checking and adding to the master cylinder reservoir. Let the system gravity-bleed for an hour or so, then close the bleeders, starting with the one furthest away from the master cylinder. You'll already have a decent pedal, so then have a helper put one slow pump on the pedal while you open the farthest away bleeder (you use one slow pump to avoid aerating the fluid). Then use the one slow pump technique and work your way from the right rear, to the left rear, right front, and left front, (don't let the master cylinder reservoir go empty) and your brakes will be bled.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

I JUST bought and used for the first time the Mity-Vac bleeder. The one that uses compressed air to create a vacuum. Not really happy with it’s performance. Maybe i just need to use it a few more times to learn its nuances? The pedal is not great and i will still have to have a helper pump the pedal so i can do it the old fashioned way. There is no way i would consider towing my trailer and car with my truck the way it is now. I paid about $110 through Amazon with a discount so im pretty bummed out with it’s performance so far. I put a vacuum gauge on it and it pulls about 18” of vacuum which seems plentiful for the task at hand but it falls short if you ask me.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

Same here. Street car, race car, never pump, just a push with the bleeder open, or you aerate the fluid. I will use a Mity-vac on an empty/new system to get it mostly filled, then go to the one push method to finish.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

I had a Mity-vac. It sucked. Ill try old school first i guess. Drag the wife out to the garage. But i will look into Motive Products "Power Bleeder" too.
Thanks for the info.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

Get a clear plastic hose that slips over the bleeder screw as tight as possible.

Drop it into a bottle of brake fluid and keep it so the tube stays submerged in the fluid.

Open bleeder screw but a small amount.

SLOWLY pump brakes a few times.

Start with the right rear, left rear, right front, left front.

One man and usually works perfect.

Gravity also work very well.

Newer vehicles with ABS.....turn key on, don't start it....also works well.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

I have the mityvac hand pump model (older unit) and have never liked it. Read on here to use the gravity method and it works great.

Re: Brake bleeder
 

As posted above, the hose in bottle method works well.

Also, I have not done so but I think the spring loaded bleeder screws would be a good option. [that is to say, the bleeder screw has a spring-loaded check ball. Seems reasonable in theory]

Re: Brake bleeder
 

The gravity method works well with most cars with firewall mounted master cylinders.
The master cylinder should still be bench blead before installing ,since on many cars the master cyl. is not level and can trap air in the high point if not bench blead.
A helper pump on the pedal or a vacuum bleeder like a MightyVac is still necessary to remove all the air from the system.
Harbor Freight has the Mighty Vac bleeder kits for $43.00 ,I paid over a hundred from Snapon for the same one years ago and still use it.
One thing I'll mention is Drag Racers generally don't pay enough attention to brake fluid condition .
I maintain several road course cars that must have the fluid changed before they race an event....After 1 race the fluid is usually in terrible condition.
Our cars brakes are subjected to short periods of extreme heat followed by long periods of unuse. .. This is a perfect climate for fluid contamination and break down.
If your fluid is dark or cloudy looking change it .
At the very least it should be changed annually ,preferably at the end of the season ,so it is not stored over the winter with fluid that can contain moisture or other contaminants that will damage components.