Best brake bleeder hose rubber type?

[pontoon]

Hi all,

I have some clear tubing in two different types.

One is the super clear plastic tubing sold at Home Depot. It’s flexible, yet not very soft. It doesn’t like to be straightened out, doesn’t stretch much to go onto a ******. Generally I hate this stuff, very frustrating to work with.

I have a single 1 foot length of this amazing clear tubing that’s a little less transparent (still can see brake fluid bubbles no problem). It’s flexible, doesn’t retain its shape if wound up, it’s flexible enough to press onto a bleeder easily, overall awesome to work with.

My question is: what is that second type of tubing? I want to get more length of tubing for use with my drill powered fluid extraction pump. And a little bit more for bleeding brakes.

 

[malibu101]

Perhaps Tygon tubing (specific brand name like Kleenex). Knockoffs I'm sure exist.
It is often used in laboratory settings.

PS- There are many flavors of Tygon tubing. It's not just 1 specific item.

 

[rlitman]

Dunno, but I use polyethylene ice maker line. It's super cheap, and while it is milky, it is easy enough to see bubbles inside. Yes, it's pretty stiff, but it holds up well under vacuum, and fits the rubber ends that came with my MityVac.

 

[nutjob]

Take a look at this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Coupler-Capri-Tools-Bleeder/dp/B06XD1NGB2?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Kevin

 

[richfinn]

Hi all,

I have some clear tubing in two different types.

One is the super clear plastic tubing sold at Home Depot. It’s flexible, yet not very soft. It doesn’t like to be straightened out, doesn’t stretch much to go onto a ******. Generally I hate this stuff, very frustrating to work with.

I have a single 1 foot length of this amazing clear tubing that’s a little less transparent (still can see brake fluid bubbles no problem). It’s flexible, doesn’t retain its shape if wound up, it’s flexible enough to press onto a bleeder easily, overall awesome to work with.

My question is: what is that second type of tubing? I want to get more length of tubing for use with my drill powered fluid extraction pump. And a little bit more for bleeding brakes.

I use translucent silicone tubing, we use it in pubs over here in the UK for the lines to the beer taps. Not had any problems with brake fluid or any other automotive fluids

Much more flexible than that horrible PVC stuff

 

[pontoon]

Thanks, I think it’s silicone that I want. The Tygon results I’m finding look like the stuff I hate (idk maybe they make a nice soft one I can’t find).

 

[demarpaint]

For $3.27 for a 10' roll, I use clear vinyl tubing from Home Depot. The same stuff the OP is using. I cut it to size and find it to be very inexpensive and useful. I've been using it for quite a few years now. I have a few of lengths in an old plastic peanut butter jar, which I've used few times over.

 

[bob15]

Tygon # 2375 is what is used with the Motive Bleeder, between the M/C and the pressure pot/tank. McMaster Carr is where I order it.

 

[Ralf11]

th real engineering or chemist GJ solution would be to figure out which polyglycols or whatever is in brake fluid, then find the spec. sheets for all the plastic hose manfs. and got thru them - or contact a sales engineer at the manfs.

then compare the short list to find the most flexible

why take a shortcut when you go GJ wild on it?

 

[4xdog]

I use silicone tubing too. One of the few applications where that polymer makes sense, IMO. (I'm not normally a fan of silicones.)

 

[pontoon]

I will say I just opened the fluid transfer pump and it appears to have Tygon or a Tygon clone. It’s similar to the PVC at Home Depot, although I think a bit nicer.

I still think I’ll probably get some silicone.

 

[brownbagg]

i just crack the valve and let it gravity flow, take about an hour while watching the ball game, if your good you can do all four wheels at once

 

[Uofime]

i just crack the valve and let it gravity flow, take about an hour while watching the ball game, if your good you can do all four wheels at once

Lol this is not wrong, I used to be agains this but after dinking around with brakes for a few years now I’ve learned they really aren’t that delicate and gravity bleeding works great. Still pick up some cheap tubing and punch holes in Gatorade bottles to catch the fluid. Though I’ve had good results with scrap cardboard boxes under the calipers too...

 

[pontoon]

Ordered an assortment of silicone tubing off McMaster. Also got one size of Tygon to see how I like it. Thanks!

 

[bob15]

Ordered an assortment of silicone tubing off McMaster. Also got one size of Tygon to see how I like it. Thanks!

Which tygon? They make many different hoses for different applications.

example:
2375: brake fluid
4040: gasoline

 

[engineer2]

Glycol-ether (diethylene glycol) brake fluids at normal temperatures
ABS plastic B - Good
Acetal (Delrin) A - Excellent
Buna N (Nitrile) A - Excellent
CPVC A - Excellent
EPDM A - Excellent
Epoxy C - Fair
Fluorocarbon (FKM) A - Excellent
Kalrez A - Excellent
LDPE B - Good (probably shouldn't leave brake fluid in your Motive jug)
Natural rubber A - Excellent
Neoprene A - Excellent
Nylon A - Excellent
Polycarbonate B - Good
Polypropylene A - Excellent
Polyurethane D - Poor
PTFE A - Excellent
PVC C - Fair
PVDF (Kynar) A - Excellent
Silicone B - Good
Tygon C - Fair conflicting info on this, some say Excellent)
Viton A - Excellent

Most tubing will be labelled.
When in doubt, cut a piece, weigh it, throw it in brake fluid for a week or two. See if it gained weight or shows signs of deterioration.

Couldn't find anything on the vinyl tubing commonly available at the big box stores, but I have used it for years without problems.

 

[pontoon]

Which tygon? They make many different hoses for different applications.

example:
2375: brake fluid
4040: gasoline

I think I got 6516. I got it from McMaster. Maybe not the best but it won’t be exposed to brake fluid for long.

 

[bob15]

I think I got 6516. I got it from McMaster. Maybe not the best but it won’t be exposed to brake fluid for long.

Agree, it isn't a good choice. Tygon 2375 is a better choice for brake fluid compatibility.....and also available through McMaster

https://www.mcmaster.com/tygon-2375-tubing/

 

[pontoon]

Agree, it isn't a good choice. Tygon 2375 is a better choice for brake fluid compatibility.....and also available through McMaster

https://www.mcmaster.com/tygon-2375-tubing/

I saw that. It says it’s firm. Is that tubing firm? I like the hose that had no memory or tendency to keep a coil. If it’s too firm or has a memory I’ve found it’ll whip around and knock over the bleed bottle.

 

[bob15]

I saw that. It says it’s firm. Is that tubing firm? I like the hose that had no memory or tendency to keep a coil. If it’s too firm or has a memory I’ve found it’ll whip around and knock over the bleed bottle.

Not that firm. Try using a lanyard around the bottle, it helps

 

[pontoon]

Interesting, thanks. I’ll consider adding a leash to my bleeder bottle, which is just a Sobe plastic bottle I drilled a tight hole through.

 

[lcar987]

Great post Pontoon! I'm looking for the same thing. I bought a brake bleeder over 30 years ago. Simple device - a length of clear tube with a check valve at one end, but unlike vinyl tube that is stiff and gets stiffer, this stuff has withstood the test of time and many, many brake jobs and is still flexible. From occasionally nipping off the end when it stretches, the tube has gotten pretty short. While using it today I realized I'd better find a replacement. Did you find a tube material that works for you?

 

[Kapn.K]

My Benz nips were 7.75mm at the barb. 6.5mm is roughly .25". Wished I had some fancy Taigon stuff. Knew my local O'Reilly's had some thin-wall fuel tubing and probably other stuff that would work. 17 min. round trip including transaction is my estimate. Looked around the garage and Bazinga! About 17 inches of ancient blue tubing. Took a bit of effort to get it on but once it was revitalized, just nailed all my requirements. Go to your local pet store. Get some aquarium air tubing. It's so cheap, you can cut lengths for each corner, pollute the environment and cut new ones the next time you decide to do this. The vodka bottles. I'd feel guilty if it didn't get a couple uses.

 

[BmwTechZiggy]

speaking of this, what diameter is the hose you need for brake bleederS?

 

[WWheeler]

EDIT: 3/16" ID x 5/16" OD silicone tubing (orig wrote 1/4 ID but revised after a more careful measuring of what I have), the high temp food grade kind, works great for this purpose. I bought 10' or so of it in 2017 to make my one-man brake bleeder bottles with and It's held up to brake fluid well for me so far. I like that it's just stretchy enough that it seals nice over bleeders, and though it's not crystal clear it's plenty see though enough to watch for air bubbles.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TH8H1QP/?tag=atomicindus08-20