What Brake Bleeder would you guys recommend?

[mx54life]

I've been looking to pick up a brake bleeder for my up coming brake project. Several brands available but what would you guys recommend base on your personal experience and best bang for the buck?

[— kung fu jesus —]

I have a Motive pressure bleeder with the Miata-specific caps for the clutch and brake master. I have a caveat, though. I have found the Miata doesn't take well to this bleeder, the pressure blows out past the reservoir seals and makes a mess. However, a few other Miata racers say they have never had this issue. I experienced it under relatively low pressures. Comparatively, three different BMWs I used it on had no issues taking 15 psi to bleed their systems. Similarly to the Miata, a few Honda/Acuras couldn't take the pressure.

IOW, I don't like to use bleeder systems on the Miata, but prefer a two person method instead (1 in the car, 1 at the calipers).

[mx54life]

Thanks KFJ!

So I have read about this Motive. One recommended to just use it to put pressure in the MC reservoir but then you will have to open and close the cap to fill brake fluid in the reservoir several times. So that defeats the purpose of this bleeder design.

KFG did you prime the entire line before you replace the Motive cap into the reservoir? Is there an issue on the cap sealing design you think?

Anybody here have tried other brake bleeder?

[— kung fu jesus —]

I put fluid in the bleeder tank, the line carries more fluid through the cap. I had blowouts where the reservoirs meet the cylinders, not the Motive bleeder.

[mx54life]

Wow so in short the Miata's MC is not capable of pressure in it's reservoir. So better bleeder would be the one where the fluid is pressure pulled from the bled screw?

[★ revlimiter ★]

I've got a cheap and snazzy Harbor Freight one that does just that. Plug it into the bleeder screw and add air to the other side. Fluid is sucked out quick. I think the bleeder bottle was $15.

[Demon I Am]

I built the $20 diy bleeder, and it worked pretty well, tbh

[— kung fu jesus —]

Wow so in short the Miata's MC is not capable of pressure in it's reservoir. So better bleeder would be the one where the fluid is pressure pulled from the bled screw?

On my car, yes, but as stated above, not all people have had the same issue.

[j slow]

I have the motive bleeder sys, no issues and I use it before & after every track event. That said, if there are two people available, old school is faster.

[HarryB]

Long transparent hose, loop a few times, attach one end to caliper bleeder, other end in an unused vacuum port at your intake. Turn the car on, loosen the bleeder, let the engine vacuum do the work for you. Pay attention at the hose so that no brake fluid ends up in your engine. Alternatively, a fluid "trap" using an old plastic bottle can also work but could be a pain to seal.

[— Hammerhead —]

Are there any special considerations for bleeding ABS systems?

[Demon I Am]

I mean there's there is the whole moral/ ecological thing

[— kung fu jesus —]

Are there any special considerations for bleeding ABS systems?

Don't let air get in the solenoid box. It can take a while to get it out.

[lablu]

Are there any special considerations for bleeding ABS systems?

Shouldn't have a problem with bleeding per se but it is a good idea to never force fluid backwards especially on ABS equipped cars. As in one should open the bleeder before pushing caliper pistons in so fluid will escape through bleeder rather than being forced back through the lines and ABS controller.

[mx54life]

Has anyone use or try "Reverse Brake Bleeding?

As Law of Physics implies that it is rather easier for "air bubbles" to be push up than down.