Brake system power/pressure bleeders

[rslaback]

I'm open to recommendations on power bleeders. Specifically adapter options and sets. The pressure units all look basically the same. How many of the adapters in the $100+ kit are actually ever needed? Keep in mind that I am just a DIY guy servicing my own 4 vehicles and maybe loaning the tool out to friends.

 

[tamaraw]

How many of the adapters in the $100+ kit are actually ever needed?

All of them I guess? Really depends upon what you are working on. This is Garage Journal... if you ask if you need some random obscure tool, ten people are guaranteed to come crawling out of the woodwork to tell you how they just used one yesterday.

Keep in mind that I am just a DIY guy servicing my own 4 vehicles and maybe loaning the tool out to friends.

For personal use, I would skip a multi-adapter kit and just get the ones for the vehicles you own. You can always add to this later. Besides, at least a few of the kit items are typically "universal" adapters that are supposed to clamp over the master cylinder with a chain and are a total pain to use⁠—which leads to my next point.

Threaded caps like Euro standard can pretty reliably hold pressure on their own but other designs like twist-lock or press-fit caps generally require a lot of additional clamping force. So, depending upon application, you may actually be served better by a vacuum bleeder.

 

[rslaback]

I have a mityvac that I've used in the past. I'm not a fan of the little air bubbles you get from air leaking in around the bleeder. I know you can pack grease around them as a work around but I'm the kind of guy who thinks about grease and then it's all over everything.

 

[Buckgnarly]

MOTIVE with adaptors for each vehicle.

 

[rslaback]

Mityvac with adaptors for each vehicle.

Now that we have the standard GJ "You're wrong" answer out of the way, I'd appreciate some answers from people who have these sharing how universal the adapters are.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Now that we have the standard GJ "You're wrong" answer out of the way, I'd appreciate some answers from people who have these sharing how universal the adapters are.

Ah ****, I meant MOTIVE pressure bleeder, my bad.
Any of the vacuum bleeders gave me air bubbles, hated that.

 

[luvtheheat]

I had good results using something like this....
Google "vacuum brake bleeder"
Requires an ample supply of compressed air.
$32 @ HF

 

[M6erfan]

I had good results using something like this....
Google "vacuum brake bleeder"
Requires a ample supply of compressed air.
$32 @ HF

Stress on the word 'ample'. Many home gamers don't have the CFM available to properly use a vacuum bleeder like those.

 

[M6erfan]

I use a Motive bleeder, but I haven't used any 'universal' caps. I use their dedicated caps.

 

[jsteih]

I second the MOTIVE suggestion. Get the "Black label" adapters for your vehicles.

Make your friends buy the adapters for there cars for payment of using the tool.

 

[luvtheheat]

Stress on the word 'ample'. Many home gamers don't have the CFM available to properly use a vacuum bleeder like those.

Yup. My compressors' stats... Was running most of the time I did the bleed.

.

 

[dogdog]

Motive pressure bleeder or the alike. I think there is a better brand now of the same thing just difference in how the connectors work, some have fancier quick disconnects. It’s all about the cap though, the universal know leaks a bit.

Plenty of diy on people converting those 1 gallon garden sprayers to be the pressure pot and just get the brake reservoir cap for the vehicle they are servicing.

I have the first gen motive one, works well on vw. Also the hf one converted for use as catch can cause that tubing caps really nice on the bleeder ******. Also converted it so I can attach a manual hand vacuum or air con r134a vacuum instead of the air pressure vacuum that sucked.

 

[tamaraw]

Now that we have the standard GJ "You're wrong" answer out of the way, I'd appreciate some answers from people who have these sharing how universal the adapters are.

The universal ones are like a flat rubber-backed aluminum or plastic plate that comes with a chain and J-hooks. You are supposed to loop the chain under the master cylinder and crank down on the J-hook nuts to clamp the plate down on the reservoir lip. Bulky, inconvenient, and useless for remote reservoirs.

Examples:

 

[driftpin]

The 'cheap shot' is something from HFT, but I'd spring for the MOTIV system. Buying a set probably gets you some parts you may not use, but enough of ones you may use that it's cheaper than buying 'em 1-at-a-time. Having the guy whose vehicle you're working on, pay for the particular hardware you need sounds like a good idea, you keep it.

For what I work on, which is usually older non-ABS motorcycles, I used a 60cc/ml syringe, and I push brake fluid up from the caliper or slave cyl (clutch) into the master cyl. I don't suggest doing this with ABS vehicles.

This works well for me. I have several Mityvac and mityvac-style vacuum bleeders but once I discovered how-well the syringe/pushing brake fluid up works, the mityvac has been sitting lonely and unused. When I did use the mityvac, I used teflon tape around the bleeder threads instead of grease.


The old worn-out slave cyl. and my home-made < $10 bleeding syringe, a grocery store meat dept.. 'flavor injector' with a Schrader valve adapted to it, no spring pin in it.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I have a MityVac 8000, works pretty well. There adapters that fit over the bleeder valve don’t work, they are loose and let in leak from around the edges. The adapters that fit inside the blender valve work pretty well. Overall the old school way of having someone pump the peddle while you open the bleeder works just as well.

 

[twouvakind]

Home - Speedi-Bleed

Best brakebleeder tools DIY prices Best Brake Bleeder Tools DIY Prices Bleed Brakes Like A Pro – Video Superior Brake Bleeder ToolsAt Low DIY Prices Save Time & Hassle Firmer Brake Pedal Cleaner Fluid Experience for yourself why thousands of professional technicians & DIY now use Speedi-Bleed as...

www.speedibleed.com

I have good results with it.

 

[P0234]

I have a cap that just goes onto the standard euro reservoir and accepts a standard airline. I saw the Motive bleeder and though, awesome, now I can flush the whole car without going back the hood. Bought it, and it didn't work that way. It leaks, needs constant pumping and then you have to clean it out after you are done. I've gone back to the cap style like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063XDP0/?tag=atomicindus08-20 (note I think you can find these for about $10 if you look around some)

 

[rslaback]

I second the MOTIVE suggestion. Get the "Black label" adapters for your vehicles.

Make your friends buy the adapters for there cars for payment of using the tool.

Does black label refer to the type of quick disconnect?

 

[rslaback]

I have a MityVac 8000, works pretty well. There adapters that fit over the bleeder valve don’t work, they are loose and let in leak from around the edges. The adapters that fit inside the blender valve work pretty well. Overall the old school way of having someone pump the peddle while you open the bleeder works just as well.

That's the rub for me. I was a part of the conception of 3 boys and somehow each of them hate my shop with the passion of a thousand suns.

 

[rslaback]

Is it feasible to buy the quick connects somewhere and then just modify an actual reservoir cap by threading in the quick connect? Seem like it might be cheaper than an adapter at 20 bucks each and you know for certain that it will fit.

 

[jsteih]

Does black label refer to the type of quick disconnect?

Black Label is what they call their high end machined aluminum adapters. If you are just doing a one off the plastic ones are fine. If you have multiple vehicles that use the same connection, I would spring for the aluminum ones.

 

[Skyman]

In addition to their hand-held vacuum pumps, MityVac also makes a nice pressure bleeder package. I use mine empty (so that it only applies air pressure above the fluid in the reservoir). This keeps the unit clean, and allows me to use it with DOT 3 or DOT 5 fluids. I'm happy with it.

 

[boom_bap]

How many cars do you need to bleed? I'd go for something like below and save the extra money on other tools that you'd use more often.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F9XHVKA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tamaraw]

Overall the old school way of having someone pump the peddle while you open the bleeder works just as well.

For just changing fluid, sure. For bleeding air out of the master, not so much.

 

[tamaraw]

Is it feasible to buy the quick connects somewhere and then just modify an actual reservoir cap by threading in the quick connect? Seem like it might be cheaper than an adapter at 20 bucks each and you know for certain that it will fit.

Depends upon the vehicle. The original cap will of course fit just fine, but depending upon the design, it may not hold pressure.

What are the four vehicles you mentioned earlier?

 

[rslaback]

Depends upon the vehicle. The original cap will of course fit just fine, but depending upon the design, it may not hold pressure.

What are the four vehicles you mentioned earlier?

2004 Avalanche
2006 Highlander hybrid
2008 Mazda 3
2013 Avalanche

 

[tamaraw]

2004 Avalanche
2006 Highlander hybrid
2008 Mazda 3
2013 Avalanche

I believe the Mazda uses a Ford threaded reservoir cap, that should be pretty straightforward. I think the others use GM and Toyota pattern twist-lock lids which might be difficult to seal up with a modified OEM cap but YMMV.

Speedibleed, CTA tools, Ares, etc. have more specific adapter options that might be worth checking out, motive's selection is pretty limited.

 

[dnschmidt]

Home - Speedi-Bleed

Best brakebleeder tools DIY prices Best Brake Bleeder Tools DIY Prices Bleed Brakes Like A Pro – Video Superior Brake Bleeder ToolsAt Low DIY Prices Save Time & Hassle Firmer Brake Pedal Cleaner Fluid Experience for yourself why thousands of professional technicians & DIY now use Speedi-Bleed as...

www.speedibleed.com

I have good results with it.

THIS IS THE PICK OF THE LITTER. In this case our Canadian neighbors have produced a product superior to the Motive. They have the only master cylinder cap that actually works with Toyota. Get the specific caps you need for the cars that you have. The universal adapters that are suppose to fit everything actually fit nothing.

 

[twouvakind]

I have a Speedi-bleed adapter for Hyundai/Kia,VW and GM. The GM one is unused and weighs in at over two pounds

 

[toddmorr]

Got the Speedi bleed, mostly because it's supposed to have the only adapter that really works with Toyota. Well, i've used it on a RAV4, RX350, LX470, LX570 and no issues at all, can recommend it heartily. Nice system.

 

[gizardlizard]

I have the Speedi bleed as well. Own Toyota and Lexus and only need the one cap. Works perfect with zero leaks. Love that tool

 

[rslaback]

I couldn't say no to a $30 special on a Bilitools option designed to fit a Tesla, especially after I determined that the Tesla adapter would fit the Avalanches. Now it is time to find an adapter for the Toyota and the Mazda.

 

[tarmy]

I second the MOTIVE suggestion. Get the "Black label" adapters for your vehicles.

Make your friends buy the adapters for there cars for payment of using the tool.

Yep. Mine works great on Honda and Chevy vehicles.

 

[engineer2]

My homemade one using a small pump sprayer works great. I don't pump it, but I could. I hook it up to compressed air instead. The propane regulator gets the pressure down to where it needs to be. Gauge is from a MityVac. The Vacula (blue top jug) is to collect what comes out of the wheel cylinders. Honda master cylinder adapter shown, but I have some Vacula generic ones.

 

[F-22]

I have a mityvac that I've used in the past. I'm not a fan of the little air bubbles you get from air leaking in around the bleeder. I know you can pack grease around them as a work around but I'm the kind of guy who thinks about grease and then it's all over everything.

There are a few ways to make a special bleed ****** that has a seal at the top of the threads to avoid it (basically replacing the bleed ****** with a hose socket/coupling). If you only have a few vehicles it's worth it. After bleeding, just have someone press and hold in the brake lever all the way, and you can swap for the correct bleed ****** while it is held (without worrying you'll draw air in).

 

[silkman]

BGS makes all these adaptors for about 7eur each.

EDIT: See similar items in link

Adaptor 22 for BGS 8027, 8098 | for BMW

Adaptor 22 for BGS 8027, 8098 | for BMW - Article number 8098-22

www.bgstechnic.com

 

[mllester]

It feels like I have been on a lifelong journey to find the ultimate brake bleeder. Years ago I followed Sam Memmolo and Dave Bowman’s Vacula recommendation. That thing was expensive and never worked right for me. I’m using the minty-vac when I’m alone and pedal pumping when I have a helper.

 

[P0234]

It feels like I have been on a lifelong journey to find the ultimate brake bleeder. Years ago I followed Sam Memmolo and Dave Bowman’s Vacula recommendation. That thing was expensive and never worked right for me. I’m using the minty-vac when I’m alone and pedal pumping when I have a helper.

Man those guys would recommend anything they were paid to recommend. I always found it to be very suspect they would recommend things that just came out.

 

[Spud McGee]

I use a Motive bleeder, but I haven't used any 'universal' caps. I use their dedicated caps.

Same here. When I was shopping, summit had the best price and fastest shipping.

Motive Products 0100 Motive Products Power Bleeder Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Motive Products Power Bleeder Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Brake Bleeder Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[mikegt4]

After disappointing results with plastic master cylinder adapters I bit the bullet and bought adapters by Power Probe. They are machined aluminum with rotating quick connect fittings, professional level products. They work perfectly, seal without leaks and never crack or warp. I just run an air line from my compressor to a small pressure regulator with the gauge set at around 7-10psi and then to the adapter on the m/c. I searched the web for the best price, there is a lot of variance so it's worth the effort.