To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Motive Brake Bleeder

AldeanFan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
2,581
Location
Niagara on the Lake
Anyone use a Motive bleeder and think it's worth having for a DIYer?

I have to replace a line on my truck, install disks on my '54 wagon, and flush the mustang and the wife's car.

I usually work alone so no one to pump brakes.

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

chrisexv6

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
Messages
2,290
Location
CT
Bought one myself after borrowing a friends a bunch of times.

If you can get application specific adapters, do so. The universal one works OK, but no matter how well I think I sealed it, I always end up leaking some brake fluid. It still works, though, so if you have some crappy rags to put around the master cylinder you'll be fine.

Overall its a great product IMHO. I know most manufacturers recommend changing brake fluid every 2 years. I also know I actually dont MIND doing that, now that I have the Motive.

A couple other people Ive recommended it to came back and said the same thing to me. its so easy they actually dont mind changing fluid.

While you're at it, get a couple of the hanging fluid catch bottles. Makes a potentially messy job pretty much spotless.
 

MuhThugga

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 7, 2017
Messages
50
Location
Wilmington, De
Get the correct adapters and have at it. It is a great tool to have in your arsenal. It makes clutch jobs a cinch, too.
 

wake74

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 14, 2015
Messages
372
Location
NC
Mine saved our marriage :)

After last round, of "I'm pushing the pedal", well there isn't anything coming out, "it's going all the way to floor", well something must be wrong, "It's the one of the left right?", well no, it's the one in the middle.........

Make sure you get the cover on tight, I can tell you if it springs a leak at the connection to the MC reservoir, it will drain a liter of fluid into your engine bay pretty quickly.
 

pendragon1998

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2012
Messages
3,733
Location
NE Georgia
I am glad as a DIYer to have one. I will say you want a good seal. I made a little oak piece to spread the pressure more evenly. Also, you probably need to replace the hose every year or two, more if you use it a lot. Mine blew after several years of use and sprayed pressurizex brake fluid EVERYWHERE. It's cheap and easy to keep new hoses on your bleeder.
 

Krolik

Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2015
Messages
20
Location
IL
The Motive was probably one of the better job specific tools I've bought. I generally only do work on euro cars that have the nice screw on adapters so I've never experienced any leakage, blow outs, etc. Unit hasn't failed me in the 3 or so years I've been using it in the shop.

For how relatively little it costs (you can obviously build DIY ones) - it was well worth it.
 

vettex2

Banned
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
1,146
Location
Northern Ca.
I am glad as a DIYer to have one. I will say you want a good seal. I made a little oak piece to spread the pressure more evenly. Also, you probably need to replace the hose every year or two, more if you use it a lot. Mine blew after several years of use and sprayed pressurizex brake fluid EVERYWHERE. It's cheap and easy to keep new hoses on your bleeder.
too much pressure!
you don't need to pump it up that much
 

Retlaw 66

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 17, 2006
Messages
152
Location
Eastern Pa
.......
For how relatively little it costs (you can obviously build DIY ones) - it was well worth it.

I made something similar from a $15 1/2 gallon garden sprayer.
It sure comes in handy since I have a bunch of 25+ year old vehicles.
 

BlackLS2

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2016
Messages
143
They are sweet...no air bubbles in ABS modules, no future master cylinder failure issues from the piston seal going deeper than usual in the bore...

I designed my own vacuum bleed system using a 1/3 HP 5 Pa vacuum pump and tandem clear water filter housings as vacuum and catch reservoirs, with spray gun filters to protect the pump. Bought all the stuff, decided the Motive would be better, and never assembled the masterpiece of ****.

I also have the $50 air compressor driven vacuum type that is OK, but it works really well on motorcycles.

Additionally, there are YouTube videos of building a Motive type with a Home Depot weed sprayer, and Motive adaptors....
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

frank_c

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2006
Messages
857
Location
NE Ohio/Lake Erie's South Shore
I have a Motive bleeder. It's great. I have the GM style plate for my full size Jeeps and a couple of the screw-on adapters.

I found the bleeder and most of the accessories fit in one of the Harbor Freight "Voyager" 22 inch tool boxes. Bleeder and adapters in the bottom, and in the tray I keep spare fittings, tubing benders, and flare tools. Drum brake tools and a couple flare wrenches too. All in one place, no rooting around for brake tools.
 
Last edited:

dogdog

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2011
Messages
12,711
I have one for the vw, it's nice.... some complains about the univerial adapters leaking in reviews. just keep in mind that you needed different reservoir adapters for different cars.

Mine leaks a little in the hose but still every time I work on the brakes , makes the job so much easier than the vacuum bleeders or those check valve one man bleeders..... but its' not exactly as smooth and easy as their commercial youtube videos.
 

Qualitytools

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Messages
2,850
Location
SOCAL
I have had one for over 5 years, I have had to replace the hose as it deteriorates but other than that it works great no issues and as mentioned you do not need a lot of pressure, I think they recommend 10 or 15 PSI. I too use it on my BMWs so I have the screw cap so no leakage issue here.
 

48548

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
4,015
Location
Phoenix
I have one, and think it works great. Also I got the metal adapters and they work great. Well worth the price difference.
 

nh_yota

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Messages
4,076
Location
Seacoast New Hampshire
I've had mine for a decade now. I only used it once (bought it years ago for a brake job on a previous vehicle) but it doesn't work my the style of master cylinder in my Tacoma so it sits on a shelf now. I did like it when I used it and I highly recommend it over vacuum bleeders or other methods. The vehicle-specific adapters are key.
 

Dick in Wisconsin

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
3,048
Location
Shawano, Wisconsin
One of the best tool investments I've ever made. Now I can bleed the race car brakes by myself.

I DO NOT put brake fluid in the jug. My thought was that as soon as I put the fluid into the jug, it starts to pick up moisture. I also didn't want to clean the jug.

I top off the reservoir on the master cylinder and use the clean jug to "push" the fluid through the brake line system.
 

48548

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
4,015
Location
Phoenix
I just use a little brake cleaner in mine to clean it. Haven't had an issue yet.
 

MikeF2316

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
9,605
Location
Thornhill, ON
I have one. I use it dry, so no problems with deteriorating hoses. Just makes it a little awkward filling the master cylinder.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom