Super Noob question on bleeding brakes

[mtnman210]

I don't have a second person to help me out. Is there a cheap<--emphasis on, way I can do it. Isn't there some kind of squeeze bottle of little pump I can get a local auto parts and use.

 

[Keitha]

You can get one of the cheap "one man" bleed hoses. They are simply a piece of tube with a small metal piece with spring loaded bearing in it. When you pump the breake, the pressure pushes the bearing and bleeds the fluid.
I have tried one and it barely works for solo bleading. You may have better luck than I did. If you dip the metal end of the tube in a resevour of fluid (so air can not get back in the hose) it will probably work better.

 

[cdoggwsu]

I've used speed bleeders in the past. They work surprisingly well but don't expect them to be nearly as quick as traditional methods. If you have access to an air compressor, a vaccum bleeder like this works very well. It even has an extra bottle to refill the reservoir for you. No air, you can use the hand pump type, a few to compare below.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92474
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38053
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37201

 

[abig84]

ive always just gravity bled mine. even on my current truck when i swaped axles. i just opened the bleeders. stared at it for like 5 minutes then fluid starts coming out and i would just wait tilll no more bubbles came ot. if i really want to be impatient ill stick a vacuum hose on it and syphon it a little bit at a time till it gets to the bleeder

 

[blazerboss 85]

those one man bleeders have never worked for me....would it really be that hard to call a buddy over?

 

[dfl701]

Yea I would just call somebody. Heck I would get my girlfriend to help if it came down to it LOL

 

[GNERGY]

I bought the Mighty Vac from autozone for around 24 bucks and it works great. I used it for starting draining gas out of tanks. It can be used to check for vacuum leaks. Put too much fluid in your tranny, you can use a long hose and suck it out with it. Endless uses.
Tarey

 

[cdoggwsu]

After trying it many ways I'm sold on the vacuum bleeder (the air compressor type). Even with 2 people, the vacuum is much quicker and I think it does a better job.

No more: "OK...1,2,3, push...are you pushing!?!?...OK, Stop. Now pump the pedal...are you pumping!?!?..."and so on"

Plus there are many other uses as Tarey said.

 

[dremu]

Pressure bleeding. Check out

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247838&page=2

-- A

 

[cdoggwsu]

Pressure bleeding. Check out

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247838&page=2

-- A

How do you keep the MC from running dry? I don't see how that is easier or quicker than vacuum bleeding.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

I'm cheap so i've always bled mine by myself with piece of hose/tubing long enough that I could see the end from the drivers seat and some kind of clear container to put brake fluid in. Air gets pushed out as you depress the pedal and sucks in the fluid in the container. Check the reservoir every once in a while, watch the bubbles till they're all gone, and close the screw. I've only had to bleed front brakes so this might not work as well for rears.

 

[dremu]

Fluid in the sprayer

-- A

 

[cdoggwsu]

Fluid in the sprayer

-- A

Gotcha.

 

[jms]

Here's the low-tech option: you need a piece of pipe, and some clear 1/4" hose to fit over the bleeder screw helps to determine if there's air, or if there's only brake fluid coming out the system

Gravity first, close all bleeders.

Bleeders closed, step on brake pedal.
Keep brake pedal depressed by using a piece of pipe or the like and wedging it between the pedal and the base of the seat.
Open bleeder. Close bleeder.
Remove pipe, release brake pedal.

Repeat as necessary.

Before y'all laugh, that piece of pipe doesn't drink your beer like your buddy, knows everything better than you, doesn't depress the brake when you least expect it, or talk back to you like your GF