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Brake Bleeding

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Mike.ASC

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Apr 21, 2010
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East coast
With very few exceptions - gravity bleeding almost always works perfectly. The problem with these type of bleeders is that when you crack the bleeder screw loose and attempt to use the tool it will draw air/vacuum around the threads instead of drawing fluid from the bleeder.
 

ryan20021982

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Oct 27, 2015
Messages
797
Location
Northern IL
If you are only going to use it for your own vehicle then just get the little magnetic bottle kit all the auto part stores sell for about $10, they work fine but obviously not for professional use.
 

phule

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Jan 11, 2016
Messages
312
Pressure bleeders are awesome for bleeding brakes by yourself. We have atleast 3 of them at work. If your doing brake work frequently there worth the investment. We use the motive bleeders i believe

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Djarum69

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Apr 16, 2015
Messages
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Location
Rockville, MD
If your doing brake work frequently there worth the investment. We use the motive



+1 on the Motive. It takes a little practice to get set up, but it does a great job. I installed air quick disconnects on the line so that you can more easily spin the reservoir cover on.


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joe_padavano

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Feb 26, 2011
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Northern VA
I've found the hand-pump bleeders like the Eastwood product and the Mitivac to be problematic. The issue is that once you loosen the bleeder screw, air leaks back in around the threads - every time you pump the handle, there's a pulse.

I got a Vacula vacuum bleeder that uses shop air about 20 years ago. It's the best brake bleeder tool I've ever used. Yes, you still get air leakage around the bleeder screw threads, but since the Vacula keeps constant vacuum on the system, this air is sucked into the bleeder and not back into the brakes. I never have to make more than one trip around the bleeder screws, and the Vacula has enough suction to fully bleed the master cylinder from the wheels, so no bench bleeding needed either. I cannot recommend this enough. (No, I have no personal stake in the company... :lol:)

VACULA-18-0051-BRAKE-BLEEDER-BRAKE-FLUID-VACUUM-BLEEDER-MADE-IN-SWISS-282028733673.jpg
 

550_cord

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Aug 25, 2013
Messages
84
I’ve had great results with motive power bleeders. Wouldn’t hesitate to reccomend them.
 

lurtz

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Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
22
I have a similar unit to Joe, this mityvac uses shop air, and I have used it on all of my brake jobs. Quick and easy. I have also used it to **** up other flammable and nasty fluids when necessary. The good deal on this is the ability to keep the suction at all times right till u close the bleeder.

It is so easy, I bleed the brakes on all my motorcylces annually, and the cars at minimum bi-annually. dfaeda480894fb01b18924a89c173bdb.jpg


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signcrafter

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I have a similar unit to Joe, this mityvac uses shop air, and I have used it on all of my brake jobs. Quick and easy. I have also used it to **** up other flammable and nasty fluids when necessary. The good deal on this is the ability to keep the suction at all times right till u close the bleeder.

It is so easy, I bleed the brakes on all my motorcylces annually, and the cars at minimum bi-annually. dfaeda480894fb01b18924a89c173bdb.jpg


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I have this one also and really like it. The reason I went with this one over the motive pressure bleeder is because you don't need any adapters for different vehicles like you do with the motive. Also you don't have brake fluid under pressure. This mityvac works good but you do need a decent supply of air. I've used it with my little emglo compressor before and it works but the compressor runs non stop. I have the kit that has a bottle you fill with brake fluid and then turn upside down in the master and it auto fills the master so you don't run out of fluid. Makes it very easy.
 

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JRC3

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I've used as little as a beer bottle and a piece of hose. The little ones from the parts store for 8 bucks are effective but often the capacity is too small. Bought one of the HF ones similar to the bleeder/vac testerin the OP...After lots of cussing it eventually got pitched.

I now have a HF one like the Vacula and Mityvac posted above. I like it a lot. Also it's the best and fastest way to flush a whole system. With a coupon it's like $28.

https://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-brake-fluid-bleeder-61912.html

image_25274.jpg
 

6PTsocket

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Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,593
With very few exceptions - gravity bleeding almost always works perfectly. The problem with these type of bleeders is that when you crack the bleeder screw loose and attempt to use the tool it will draw air/vacuum around the threads instead of drawing fluid from the bleeder.
The problem you refer to is with vacuum bleeders that pull fluid from the fitting. It is not a problem with pressure bleeders, like the popular Motive brand, that pressurize the master cylinder and push fluid out of the fitting and push it out around a loose thread if there is one. It is still under pressure when you close the fitting. Before I bought a pressure bleeder, I was doing a 2 man bleed with a tube and a jar, and had such a bad thread that with the pedal to the floor, air leaked back around the fitting before I could close it. A little teflon tape on the fitting thread solves that problem with vacuum or manual bleeding. I broke down and bought the Motive system, that makes one man bleeding easy. But it can get a bit expensive if you do a lot of different vehicles as they can require different master cylinder adapters for different vehicles.

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Hagatronics

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Jun 18, 2016
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248
Location
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Speed bleeders are awesome for a one person brake bleed. I use them for my combo daily drivers / track car and will do a quick bleed before every track day whilst I'm changing tyres.

They are replacement bleed ******* that have a one-way ball valve and some thread sealing paste. You put a length of clear hose on the ****** to an old jar, open the bleed ****** a 1/4 turn, and then pump the pedal a few times. Close the ******.

http://www.speedbleeder.com

I have a pressue bleeder and would only use it to fill a system that was completely empty. To do a fluid change I'd use the speed bleeder. Faster and less clean up.
 
Last edited:

engineer2

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Dec 13, 2009
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11,795
Location
Chicago burbs
I had issues with my Vacuula leaking air around the threads. Vacuula says to put some grease around the the bleeder threads. Lately I just get the wife to pump the brakes while I bleed. I just use the vacuula to catch the old fluid.

If anyone finds a cheap source of replacement parts for Vacuula, post it up. I need a canister o-ring and a canister check valve. Their replacement parts prices are breathtaking.
 

_Stang_

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May 31, 2014
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242
Another vote for Motive. Easy peasy, never had an issue.

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Htscheg

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Nov 2, 2016
Messages
362
Location
Buffalo, NY
4 small drain pans, some tubing... crack the bleeders.... open master cylinder..... open fresh beer and fill master cylinder as needed untill clean fluid comes out the bleeders.... enjoy beer
 

Shadowdog500

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Dec 7, 2009
Messages
9,832
Location
Down the shore
I've used as little as a beer bottle and a piece of hose. The little ones from the parts store for 8 bucks are effective but often the capacity is too small. Bought one of the HF ones similar to the bleeder/vac testerin the OP...After lots of cussing it eventually got pitched.

I now have a HF one like the Vacula and Mityvac posted above. I like it a lot. Also it's the best and fastest way to flush a whole system. With a coupon it's like $28.

https://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-brake-fluid-bleeder-61912.html

image_25274.jpg

I have been using this same HF brake bleeder for about 5 years and really lime it. Some people complain about the air bubbles going around the threads on vacuum bleeders, but those air do not matter because they are all downstream of the bleeder valve. I just run it for about 30 seconds and close the bleeder screw while still pulling a vacuum on the line. then I pull the hose off the bleeder while still pulling a vacuum so it ***** everything clean and there is no mess.

Chris
 

signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
Messages
12,318
I have been using this same HF brake bleeder for about 5 years and really lime it. Some people complain about the air bubbles going around the threads on vacuum bleeders, but those air do not matter because they are all downstream of the bleeder valve. I just run it for about 30 seconds and close the bleeder screw while still pulling a vacuum on the line. then I pull the hose off the bleeder while still pulling a vacuum so it ***** everything clean and there is no mess.

Chris

This....

The air that gets sucked in around the threads just goes right back into the vacuum bleeder. It does make it a little hard to tell when you have a good solid stream. But usually I just go by the color of the brake fluid. **** the first one until the fluid runs clean. The first one is usually the longest since you are emptying what's left in the master. I do **** out as much as I can in the master before starting to bleed to save a little time. Then **** the other 3 wheels til new fluid shows. This has always worked for me and gives a good pedal. Even when I have to replace calipers or other parts and have to bleed the whole system. Although thanks to another GJ member that shared his trick of pushing the pedal in 1/4 way before taking a caliper off will stop the fluid from bleeding out.

I have always wanted to find a grease that is compatible with brake fluid and just put a dab on the threads of the bleeders so I can see when the fluid runs clear with no bubbles. Would be more of an OCD thing for me since I know it isn't needed after doing many brake fluid exchanges now that most manufacturers recommend them every 2 years regardless of miles. But would still be nice to see a bubble free stream. Just haven't been able to get an answer on what grease to use that won't screw up the brake fluid. Someone told me dielectric but not sure.
 
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JRC3

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Jun 30, 2014
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12,481
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Southwestern OH
Yes, at first the air getting sucked past the bleeder made me think something was wrong. But then a quick Google search I discovered it was no problem and the pneumatic bleeder has worked great.
 

slowTA

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Mar 18, 2009
Messages
266
Location
Morris County, NJ
Yet another vote for Motive... except with one issue. If you have an older car that uses the flat plate adapter with chains that go under the master. If you get a leak between the adapter and reservoir then you get brake fluid running down the master and frame rail.

From that point on I use the motive bleeder with a dry tank and just make sure the master doesn't run out of fluid!

That said, you could probably get the correct motive adapter and just connect it to your compressor regulated down to 5 psi. This way when it leaks down you don't have to keep pumping away until your arm falls off!
 
OP
M

merlin1952

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Oct 23, 2015
Messages
179
Location
Eastern, NC
I never expected to get this many replies this quickly. I had no idea there was so many options available I do appreciate everyone’s responses. The Motive kit that has been mentioned several times is it this one? “Motive Products Power Bleeder Kits 0108”
 

stioc

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May 2, 2005
Messages
1,317
Location
SoCal
Ha, over the past 20yrs I think I've used just about everything in order to find the best tool:

Hand vacuum pumps: As others mentioned the pulses send air back into the brake fluid, still though it worked ok enough for me to use these for years.

Motive Bleeders: Great if you can get the proper master cylinder adapter for it. Worked great for the BMW because they had a specific adapter for it. Whenever I used their generic adapter it was a mess, believe me I tried clamps etc as shown on youtube.

Speed bleeders: Haven't had any issues using these on three of my vehicles (one I still own) but I didn't feel like buying a set every time I changed vehicles. I supposed you could swap them out before selling but still...it's a hassle to do so.

Air operated vacuum pump: This is what I've settled on as my best solution so far after seeing them used on various cars in an auto shop. This is the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JFN9WW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 

M6erfan

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Dec 6, 2014
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'Merica!
I have both the Vacula and Motive. I prefer the Vacula mainly due to the adapters needed for the Motive. But, I end up always using the Motive because my air compressor can barely keep up with the Vacula. With vacuum bleeders make sure you have a sufficient air source.
 

JRC3

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Jun 30, 2014
Messages
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Location
Southwestern OH
If you're doing a good bleeder, might as well get a set of these too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pcs-OTC-B...702188&hash=item211cd06cec:g:MpcAAOSw9NdXsWK8

71nsKl5oxNL._AC_UL320_SR260,320_.jpg


I used to have one made from brake line I found hanging under my brother's car. Not sure whose car I left it under. Anyways, these are cheap and solid steel. I raged on mine pushing the the caliper bolt bushing from my old Dodge Ram calipers, they are solid. Best 5 bucks you can spend.
 

928'er

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Jul 26, 2012
Messages
756
Location
Wine Country, CA
I, too, use the Motive bleeder. I've had little success with the Mityvac vacuum style bleeders.

Here is a neat trick I've come across for reverse bleeding recalcitrant clutch (or brake) systems:

 

cn90

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2016
Messages
10
- Many people here already own an air compressor, so...

- I made a cap specific for each car. For example, the Volvo ATE cap also fits the BMW. I made the ATE cap, used with air compressor.

- Just make sure you check the reservoir frequently as you don't want to run it dry. After you do it for a while, you can mark your collection "juice" bottle, this way you know when to top the reservoir.

- Here is the DIY I wrote 8 years ago for my 1998 Volvo S70...

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29243
 

engineer2

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Dec 13, 2009
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Location
Chicago burbs
open master cylinder..... open fresh beer
Except I knew a guy who set his beer down next to the open bottle of brake fluid and got distracted by a pretty girl who walked into the garage. This was back when brake fluid came in 12 oz. metal cans. You can guess what happened.
 

driftpin

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Dec 22, 2016
Messages
11,190
Location
Miami-Dade/Broward Co. Florida
I perform a "reverse-bleed" on my motorcycles, but I have done this on cars and trucks too.

I most-often use a 60 cc syringe and a 3 inch length of 1/4" I.D. clear plastic tubing. I ise either a worm-drive or a spring-steel hose clamp on one end of the plastic hose, and the other end is fastened to the 60 cc syringe. Get the "irrigation syringe," not the "luer-lock" syringe which is meant to accept the metal hub of a hypodermic needle. The "irrigation syringe" has a tapered end which easily-accepts a length of small-diameter tubing.

Use the syringe to empty the old fluid out of the master cyl. Then flush the syringe clean, and fill it with brake fluid. Place the end of the tubing onto the brake bleeder ****** so it is tight using the clamp. Open the bleeder valve, abd slowly push the plunger, flowing the clean fluid into the bleeder, the caliper, and towards the master cyl. Keep doing this until you see clear fluid in the master cyl. At first, since you will be purging the old fluid from the line, what is in the master cyl should be dirty. You may need to empty the master cyl of this dirty fluid. When your fluid starts to be clear coming into the master cyl, close the bleeder and go to the next bleeder. Repeat this at each ****** until your fluid emerging into the master cyl is totally-clear. At this point, check all the bleeders are snug, and, with the travel you normally-have. Clean up any spilled brake fluid. Refill the master cyl to the full level. Replace the master cyl cover. Press the brake pedal (or fan the brake or clutch lever on a bike) repeatedly to pump it. You should very quickly have a firm pedal, now try-out your brakes.

I use this for the brakes on my 1,000 cc sportbike, including the clutch, which is hydraulic. I've been doing this method for years, I have 3 different Mityvacs I've used since about 1982. But this is the method I've used almost exclusively for the last twenty-plus years.

One word about doing this on bikes: the master cyl whether for brakes or for hydraulic clutch, has two holes in the floor. The one closest to the lever/handlebar end is large, the one closest to the banjo bolt for the hydraulic hose is tiny. The tiny hole has to be open and unplugged for your brakes or clutch to work properly. Dirty brake fluid and its contaminants can plug the small hole. If you have-to, use a small pin to clean any debris from the hole. When you are pushing the syringe plunger, the small hole should flow a stream of fluid out of it. If you encounter resistance to being able to flow fluid from the syringe, the small master cyl hole is probably plugged. Be aware that there may be pressure built up in the line, and using a small pin to clear it may launch fluid a foot or more into the air! Wear safety glasses, and protect your painted surfaces.

If the line you're trying to bleed has air in it, you will see bubbles erupting from that small hole. As the air is purged the bubbles will decrease in volume and size, and may become small, 'fizzy' bubbles, and they should stop altogether when you have purged all the air. After that, you should have a solid stream of fluid like a small geyser coming from the tiny master cyl hole. That means you're done, on the circuit for the bike. If you were to squeeze the brake or clutch lever on your bike now, a column of brake fluid would erupt from that tiny hole, possibly landing outside the master cyl. Time to fill the reservoir and replace the master cyl cap! Do that, and fan the lever rapidly a few times and you should quickly feel the resistance and lever travel you would expect. Check that everything is tight, and give it a road test.

My bikes do not have ABS.
 

MikeF2316

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Dec 29, 2012
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Thornhill, ON
Another vote for the Motive. I have air disconnects on the line and use it dry. You need to keep an eye on the master cylinder level, but this makes cleanup a non-issue.
 

MikeF2316

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I never expected to get this many replies this quickly. I had no idea there was so many options available I do appreciate everyone’s responses. The Motive kit that has been mentioned several times is it this one? “Motive Products Power Bleeder Kits 0108”

There are lots of kits that vary only in the master cylinder reservoir adapter. Make sure you get what exactly fits your car. The universal type with a flat plate, chains and wing nuts are a PITA.
 

signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
Messages
12,318
Another vote for the Motive. I have air disconnects on the line and use it dry. You need to keep an eye on the master cylinder level, but this makes cleanup a non-issue.

If you're doing this you might as well just buy a 10 dollar garden pump sprayer and buy a spare cap for your car's master and use a hose and some barbed fittings to hook it all up. No reason to pay motive that much for less then 20 dollars in parts.

There are lots of kits that vary only in the master cylinder reservoir adapter. Make sure you get what exactly fits your car. The universal type with a flat plate, chains and wing nuts are a PITA.

This is the reason I decided against motive and went with the mityvac brake bleeder kit. You don't need adapters for each car. No need to watch master, fast, easy, no mess. If it wasn't for the adapters needed with the motive I would have probably gone that way or at least considered it a lot more. But I work on a bunch of different cars for family and friends so I can't justify the expensive adapters.
 

JRC3

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Jun 30, 2014
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Southwestern OH
Another plus for the pneumatic vacuum bleeders is the reservoir feed bottle. It would ****, no pun intended, to run it dry and have to start all over again.
 

slowTA

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Mar 18, 2009
Messages
266
Location
Morris County, NJ
My issue with the mitivac is that it crapped out after a few years. It will pull a vacuum on the first pull of the trigger/handle then release it as you let go.
 

sqznby

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Oct 26, 2013
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981
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Coastal NC
Speed bleeders are awesome for a one person brake bleed. I use them for my combo daily drivers / track car and will do a quick bleed before every track day whilst I'm changing tyres.

They are replacement bleed ******* that have a one-way ball valve and some thread sealing paste. You put a length of clear hose on the ****** to an old jar, open the bleed ****** a 1/4 turn, and then pump the pedal a few times. Close the ******.

http://www.speedbleeder.com

I have a pressue bleeder and would only use it to fill a system that was completely empty. To do a fluid change I'd use the speed bleeder. Faster and less clean up.

Agree. I've used them on several vehicles.
By far the easiest way to bleed (and flush) your brakes. Clean and easy to do especially when you're a one man show.
 

dogdog

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Joined
Nov 15, 2011
Messages
12,711
I've used as little as a beer bottle and a piece of hose. The little ones from the parts store for 8 bucks are effective but often the capacity is too small. Bought one of the HF ones similar to the bleeder/vac testerin the OP...After lots of cussing it eventually got pitched.

I now have a HF one like the Vacula and Mityvac posted above. I like it a lot. Also it's the best and fastest way to flush a whole system. With a coupon it's like $28.

https://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-brake-fluid-bleeder-61912.html

image_25274.jpg

I have that same set, except I break the handle off and attached a 1/4 NTP barb to it and use a hand vacuum or the AC vacuum pump. Much better than the air... maybe my compressor was not strong enough for it... I like it. But nowadays I use the pressure bleeder more, a lot better and easier....

OP can build your own if you like for about the same price as to buy.... some have done it here with that $10 sprayer from HD. But by the time you find all the fittings, it's about the same price as buy.
 

87GN

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Jun 10, 2005
Messages
681
Location
phila, pa
The problem with vacuum bleeders is they **** crud into the abs unit, assuming the vehicle has abs, instead of pushing clean, fresh fluid through it. i use vacuum bleeders for hydraulic clutches.
 

dogdog

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Nov 15, 2011
Messages
12,711
The problem with vacuum bleeders is they **** crud into the abs unit, assuming the vehicle has abs, instead of pushing clean, fresh fluid through it. i use vacuum bleeders for hydraulic clutches.

Huh... unless you let the chamber ran dry... on the same thing the pressure bleeder would push crud into chambers... even worse the reverse bleeders I think that is what they are call would have push crude from the lines back into the abs....
 
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