Brake bleeding kit suggestions

[expatriated]

I'm looking for something simple and relatively inexpensive to make the job of bleeding brakes/replacing fluid a little easier.

This is for home use and for motorcycles primarily, maybe doing 3 or 4 a year.

Something that would also work with my vehicles occasionally would be a plus.

I was looking at the mityvac products but those are the only ones I'm familiar with and even those not so much.

Thanks, guys.

 

[scott37300]

I have never done the brakes on a bike but...

A week or two ago I started a thread on mityvac. There was a lot of discusion about some bleeders like motive, mityvac and some others. After lots of reading I have dicided to get this one http://www.tooltopia.com/mityvac-mv6835.aspx.

I don't think I would like the ones that pressurize the master cylinder and push fluid. I like the mityvac one because it pulls the fluid and comes with an auto fill for the master. You just pull the trigger, the motive that pushes the fluid you have to pump the jug up. The motive did get a lot of nice reviews.

 

[tonydanzah]

motive bleeder

http://www.google.com/products?q=mo...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDsQrQQwAg

 

[impulse922]

I have a motive, but i wouldn't mind trying out a mityvac unit..

The motive unit is a bit cumbersome and actually twisting the cap onto the master cylinder is a pain in the **** because there is no swivel. The mityvac probably fits in a toolbox a lot better as well.

 

[nhmercracer]

Yup, here is what I use.

Motive Power Pressure Bleeders

And here is a link to a homemade version of the same thing.

homemade pressure brake bleeder

Pressurize to 20- 35 PSI. Start at 20 then increase if the fluid flow is too slow.

The beauty of this system is the reservoir is refilled without user intervention. you can complete the entire job all at once. The only thing you will need to do is adjust the level of the brake fluid after you are finished.

Look for a glass turkey baster to remove the excess brake fluid from your master cylinder. Keep the fluid out of the bulb, and it will last a long time.

 

[MrMark]

I use the motive and a large syringe (you can get a flavor injector) to remove the fluid from the master and clean it out before hooking up the unit. I don't want to push the dirt from the master all the way through the system.

 

[Tlag]

Yup, here is what I use.

Motive Power Pressure Bleeders

And here is a link to a homemade version of the same thing.
(That's what I've been looking for! Thanks.)

homemade pressure brake bleeder

Pressurize to 20- 35 PSI. Start at 20 then increase if the fluid flow is too slow.

The beauty of this system is the reservoir is refilled without user intervention. you can complete the entire job all at once. The only thing you will need to do is adjust the level of the brake fluid after you are finished.

Look for a glass turkey baster to remove the excess brake fluid from your master cylinder. Keep the fluid out of the bulb, and it will last a long time.

That's what I've been looking for! Thanks.

 

[jeepnut24]

I made a homemade pressure bleeder from a garden sprayer and it does pretty well. I put a tire valve on it to check the pressure.

 

[e3pres]

I really want one of these:

http://braketools.com/max-pro-brake-bleeder.html

I'm having trouble justifying $400 for one, but since I've started road racing, bleeding brake has become a very frequent... and very tedious activity.

 

[haloghalog]

I have the mightyvac but I'm going to switch to the motive as I don't like having air leak around the bleed screw when you open it, it gives a false indication that air bubbles are still coming out of the system when in fact they are not.

 

[Gslocum]

Also check out stainless steel speedbleeders - they have a one way valve.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have never done the brakes on a bike but...

A week or two ago I started a thread on mityvac. There was a lot of discusion about some bleeders like motive, mityvac and some others. After lots of reading I have dicided to get this one http://www.tooltopia.com/mityvac-mv6835.aspx.

I don't think I would like the ones that pressurize the master cylinder and push fluid. I like the mityvac one because it pulls the fluid and comes with an auto fill for the master. You just pull the trigger, the motive that pushes the fluid you have to pump the jug up. The motive did get a lot of nice reviews.

I have the mightyvac but I'm going to switch to the motive as I don't like having air leak around the bleed screw when you open it, it gives a false indication that air bubbles are still coming out of the system when in fact they are not.

I have the Mityvac unit that scott bought and have never had a problem with air bubbles. How far are you backing the bleeder screws out? I pop them just enough to get a good flow. I prefer these vacuum type bleeders instead of the "pusher" type units that push fluid from the calipers towards the master as air bubbles inside a caliper are at the top near the bleader valve and are very difficult to push down into the caliper and then up into the brake line.

I know several guys that use them though and it seems that both designs work equally well. It boils down to what you think works best for you and your cars.

 

[IMCA38]

Here's my brake bleeder, a uterine aspirator I picked up when the local Vet auctioned off his stuff. Works like a champ and only cost me $3. Attach the hose, flip the switch and it will vacuum up anything. Catches the stuff in the glass bottles on the side of the table.

 

[knobby]

I really want one of these:

http://braketools.com/max-pro-brake-bleeder.html

I'm having trouble justifying $400 for one, but since I've started road racing, bleeding brake has become a very frequent... and very tedious activity.

See post #11

 

[rockchucker]

SpeedBleeders. 100% This is of course just for the Vehicles that you own.


If you are working out of a shop and doing a **** ton of Bleeding then get a Vacuum Pump. The ones that run off of Compressed Air are pretty good. No real moving parts to go out. Hook them right up to your Compressor in the Shop.

 

[mrholeshot]

I use a MightyVac unit. Been using the same one witht he brake bleeder kit for over 20 years. Quick, simple and effective

 

[PaulR]

I've had the mightyvac for a number of years now. It's good if you don't have a person to pump the brakes. However if you open a lot of rear lines it can be tiresome pumping all the time. When the wife is around I have her pump the brakes, it's just faster than the MV.

For the short money the mightyvac does the job, a little slow but good for a one man bleed. Some day I will upgrade to something nicer and faster.

.02 P

 

[mhm993]

Another vote for the motive. I use it dry, and just make sure the fluid level in the reservoir doesn't get too low.

 

[makgreens]

mityvac rules

 

[padronanniversary]

mightyvac on my compressor. love the thing. I used to do it the old school way with a pedal pump. man, you save so much time with the proper tool