Vacuum bleeders are useless

[Jspafford]

At least mine is. I bled the brakes last night after doing a complete brake job. Take it out this morning, pedal goes to the floor.

I proceeded to gravity bleed the brakes. Open the bleeders one at a time and let the fluid flow for a while.

Now the pedal is firmer than ever and the brakes work better than I can ever remember!

 

[99_3.0]

I've always liked using two people, one on the pedal and one on the bleeder. Never fails until you strip the head off the bleeder or run yourself out of brake fluid. Just about the only bad things that can happen.

 

[Mark_88]

I like the "One-Man Bleeder" kits...just a plastic tube with a small plastic bottle...put the tube on the nipple, crack the bleeder screw, and lift the bottle up higher than the bleeder screw...I had to pump the pedal a few times to get the fluid moving, but it has worked on both my Zuki and my Ranger...

 

[Jspafford]

The one I have looks similar to this. My container is not as big (harbor freight)

I would have done the two person process, but I was by myself and needed the truck. The way I did it worked so well, I am going to do it that way all the time now. There is really no way to introduce air into the lines because as long as the MC is full the fluid is pushing itself outwards.

I replaced rotors, pads, shoes, adjuster, springs, and one wheel cylinder. I had two on hand, but I only broke the bleeder on one of them.

The only think I did not replace was the drums because the rears were still almost new from not working correctly.

 

[partsguy84823]

I kind of like speed-bleeders. The ones with a check valve in them, so you just pop them open, pump the brakes a few times, and tighten them up... job done.

 

[Curtludwig]

The problem with vacuum bleeders is air gets in around the threads. I've never had any luck with 'em.

I want to get a pressure bleeder, pushes new fluid into the resevior so you can't run out (unless you let the pressure vessel run out). Apparently this is the only real good way to bleed ABS brakes.

When doing the 2 person thing be careful not to let the pedal go to the floor. Most times the pedal hasn't been to the floor regularly and has created a ridge in the master cylinder where it stops. You start running it to the floor and you shred the seal in the MC and now need a new MC...

 

[6cylboy]

I got a vacula at harbor freight and just used it on my wifes Taurus to bleed the system and it worked just fine. It is the type that is run off of shop air, I have no experience with the hand type though. Seems like they would be more trouble then they are worth. But your right the manual bleeding technique can't be beat.

 

[kunar]

I want to get a pressure bleeder, pushes new fluid into the resevior so you can't run out (unless you let the pressure vessel run out). Apparently this is the only real good way to bleed ABS brakes.

they are sooo nice for bleeding clutches. this is the only way i've had success doing a clutch in a ranger

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOTI...Z250353250416QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

get the right attachments and it will bleed brakes on just about anything. the round threaded one shown works on our clutch reservoir

 

[fastpakr]

I like the cheap version of the 1 man bleeder. Pump out the old fluid into a container for disposal, then connect a long bleed line and run it back into the master reservoir. 25 feet of line is more than enough for the longest run on an RBV and shouldn't cost more than $5 at a hardware store. Immerse the end of the line in the reservoir and bleed to your hearts content, leaving the valve open. When all bubbles are gone, close the bleeder and move to the next line.

 

[Mark_88]

I like the cheap version of the 1 man bleeder. Pump out the old fluid into a container for disposal, then connect a long bleed line and run it back into the master reservoir. 25 feet of line is more than enough for the longest run on an RBV and shouldn't cost more than $5 at a hardware store. Immerse the end of the line in the reservoir and bleed to your hearts content, leaving the valve open. When all bubbles are gone, close the bleeder and move to the next line.

I had thought of this too...but I forgot to get the longer line and did it with the little bottle...I think the bottle should be just a bit bigger on those things...

 

[fastpakr]

Yeah, seems to me I bought one of those and never bothered with it because of the size. On the motorcycle I just hold a cup in one hand and squeeze with the other, or if the line is the right length just drop it into the master. On the truck, the long line is very convenient.