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rfg842(at)cox.net
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 Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:35 am Post subject: Bleeding brake lines |
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For a one man method of bleeding the brakes, Harbor Freight sells a vacuum bleeder for less than ten bucks. With a short tube on the wheel, brake bleeder into a jar of brake fluid and the vacuum on the master cylinder, the vacuum pump pulls the fluid up with no air in the system. I jack up my wheel a\to allow easier access to the Cleveland bleeder. Works fine and I can do it by myself.
Bob, Wichita
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craig(at)craigandjean.com
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:47 am Post subject: Bleeding brake lines |
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| Quote: | For a one man method of bleeding the brakes, Harbor Freight sells a vacuum bleeder for less than ten bucks.
How do you connect the vacuum to the cylinder/reservoir? IS there a nipple that fits into the fill hole where the plug normally goes?
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-- Craig
[quote] [b]
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crvsecretary
Joined: 18 Mar 2007
Posts: 38
Location: Naugatuck, CT
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: Bleeding brake lines |
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I have a Mity-Vac hand-held vacuum pump with the brake bleeder adaptor and I have never been happy with it. I'll explain in a bit..
the brake bleeder adaptor is a small cup with 2 ports in it: vacuum is applied from the hand pump to one port which opens to the cup right at the cap. The fluid inlet has a clear plastic tube extension that goes to within 1/4" from the bottom of the cup. A hose goes from the fluid inlet port to the brake bleeder screw.
Put 3/8" of fresh brake fluid in the cup so the end of the clear plastic hose in the cup is submirged in brake fluid. Put the hose on the brake bleeder screw and operate the hand pump to pull a hard vacuum...maybe 25" Hg or so. Now, gently crack open the brake bleeder screw on the caliper and the vacuum in the cup will pull the fluid (and the air) out of the caliper. Of course, all you'll get initially is all air until the hose from the caliper to the cup is full of brake fluid...so it's a good idea to keep that hose short !!!
When the vacuum in the cup is almost exhausted close the brake bleeder screw and pump up the vacuum and try it again until you see no air bubbles in the clear plastic hose in the cup (whish is now filling up fast with used brake fluid).
DO NOT ALLOW THE MASTER CYMINDER TO RUN DRY or else you are starting from the beginning. Remember to THROW AWAY all the brake fluid in the cup...it has seen air and it is no good anymore.
OK, so why do I NOT like this tool? When you crack open the brake bleeder screw air can be drawn from around the screw and into the fluid stream...making it seem like you will never finish this job...EVER. I also find the ergonomics of the hand pump and the brake bleeder adaptor (cup) and the hose to the caliper a real hassle to deal with. Maybe if I had a little tiny electric vacuum pump and a shutoff valve I might like the process a whole lot better...but I don't.
For situations where there is no brake caliper bleeder screw the Mity-Vac kit comes with a bunch of adaptors that fit into different sized holes...and I find these adaptors work poorly at best.
Maybe others have been more successful..but for me I'd rather have an assistant pushing on the brake pedal.
Tracy Smith
Naugatuck, CT
N458 XL (reserved) 601XL
In a message dated 11/29/2007 10:50:23 AM Eastern Standard Time, craig(at)craigandjean.com writes:
| Quote: |
| Quote: | For a one man method of bleeding the brakes, Harbor Freight sells a vacuum bleeder for less than ten bucks.
How do you connect the vacuum to the cylinder/reservoir? IS there a nipple that fits into the fill hole where the plug normally goes?
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-- Craig
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Check out AOL Money & Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007.
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_________________
Zenith 601XL N458XL (reserved)
Naugatuck, CT
Tail Complete; working on wings |
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archerm
Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 21
Location: Wichta
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paulrod36(at)msn.com
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| Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:57 pm Post subject: Bleeding brake lines |
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<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]--> Sounds like an awful lot of work...........My A&P/AI has for over 25 years used a pump-type oil can, one of those with the long spout, and the trigger, with the appropriate length of clear tubing, to fill and refill brakes. Since it's a pump. there is no backflow, and you can pause, refill the can, check levels, whatever, without worrying about losing what's already in the system. Since we're using THE RED STUFF, and not automotive brake fluid, there isn't any alcohol in it, and exposure to air isn't a factor. You pump till it's full, close the bleed valve, and remove the clear tubing. You can then return the fluid (you did use clean tubing, right?) back to the can. As long as you dedicate that oil can to hydraulic fluid only, your rig will last longer than you do.
Paul Rodriguez
[quote] ---
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ashontz
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 723
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Bleeding brake lines |
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I bought one of those vacuum pumps from Pep Boys for bleeding my PU truck clutch. Works great.
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