What Brake Bleeder would you guys recommend?

[lablu]

I guess I answered a question that wasn't specifically asked. However Hammerhead asked if there were any special considerations for bleeding ABS equipped systems. Since bleeding the brakes follows replacing pads a lot of the time I thought it would be relevant.

Anytime the piston/pistons are pushed back into the caliper (as when making room for putting on new pads) one runs the risk of forcing contaminated fluid back through the ABS controller and master cylinder. My Bentley manuals all suggest this is a bad idea, especially for the ABS controller.

[JamieH]

Honestly, after having tried so many different methods, the best I've found is likely the cheapest and easiest.

1 clean, empty, plastic water/soda bottle with cap
3 feet of clear silicone/plastic tubing
Maybe a ziptie

Cut/drill hole into bottle cap slightly smaller than the tubing. Slip tubing onto bleeder (maybe using a ziptie to hold it on), other end goes into the bottle through the cap. Fill bottle 1/4 full with fresh brake fluid, end of tube should be submerged in fluid. Crack bleeder open and press the brake pedal a few times. Keep an eye on the master cylinder reservoir and the plastic bottle. Work each corner until there's no sign of air bubbles.

As long as the tubing is securely on the bleeder, there shouldn't be any chance of air entering the system since the other end of it should be submerged in the fluid of the bottle.

I now do this even when I have a helper instead of calling back and forth whether or not the bleeder is open or closed and if it's OK to pump the brake pedal.

It's such a simple method, requiring so little, I can on most occasions MacGyver what is needed in a couple minutes.

[— kung fu jesus —]

^ that's what I do.

[— Hammerhead —]

...I now do this even when I have a helper instead of calling back and forth whether or not the bleeder is open or closed and if it's OK to pump the brake pedal...

To be clear, you just keep the bleeder open and continue to pump the brakes until all bubbles are gone and fluid continues to fill the bottle?

[JamieH]

To be clear, you just keep the bleeder open and continue to pump the brakes until all bubbles are gone and fluid continues to fill the bottle?

Yep.

[— Hammerhead —]

This should be more fun now with Wilwoods and 4 bleeder vales on all four corners (16). I guess four lines into the bottle for each caliper.

[— kung fu jesus —]

No, just bleed from the highest valves.

[Travyss]

I have the motive bleeder also. I never put fluid in the motive tank. I just check the fluid level in the reservoir and re-applied pressure and my brakes were done in 10 minutes without more than 2 hands.

[mx54life]

Ok folks so I just saw a friend do a "Reverse Brake Bleeding" on his ABS equipped car. Very sleek and clean way to do brake bleeding. Definitely one man job.

I will update you guys when I do mine this weekend.

[mx54life]

So I just did my brake bleeding with the "Phoenix Reverse Brake Bleeder". Definitely a one man job. A bit messy since this was my first time to use it. You need lube to seal around the bleeder screw thread when you loosen it as air could/will sip in it.

My steps were....

1. Siphoned the old fluid from the MC with use of a 60 cc syringe (use can also use the Phoenix).
2. Replace with fresh brake fluid.
3. Suctioned the Right Rear Caliper till fluid is clear. Reverse bleed till the MC is full of fresh fluid.
(Since this is the furthest it takes a few pumps just keep an eye out)
4. Suctioned the Left Rear Caliper till fluid is clear. Then reverse bleed till MC is full of fresh fluid.
5. Suctioned the Right Front Caliper till fluid is clear. Then reverse bleed till MC is full of fresh fluid.
6. Suctioned the Left Front Caliper......reverse bleed....till the MC is filled up to the "Max". Done!!!

Again what slowed me down is that every time I bled one caliper I have to place a dab of lube around the thread of the bleed screw to seal it. And of course the cleaning. A good 30 minute job for the time being.

I need more practice so anybody in my neck of woods needs help with this project hit me up I will do it for free lol.

[— Hammerhead —]

Thanks, mx54life! I may be obtuse, but I'm still not understanding what reverse bleed(ing) is. Can you explain?

[MiataQuest]

I have a Motive pressure bleeding kit and I do not like it. It takes me longer to clean out the Motive fluid reservoir and get it all set-up than to do it manually. If you owned a shop, go to the track, or cannot get an assistant then it is good. I do not like leaving brake fluid in the Motive reservoir because it will could exposed to possible moisture due to the volume of air in the container and it could get old.
When I do use the Motive bleeder because I am home alone, I do it the way Travyss does it.
Using the Travyss method also reduces the risk to spray brake fluid onto your paint and engine bay.

Here is my old skool brake bleeding method. It is probably similar to KFJ.

BLEEDING TO REPLACE FLUID AND REMOVE AIR
1. Put the car on jack stands with the wheels off.
2. Place a container under each caliper to catch the brake fluid.
3. Put a drop of oil on each of the bleeder threads to loosen up the rust.
4. Siphon all the old fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir.
5. Wipe master cylinder reservoir clean if possible.
6. Top off master cylinder reservoir with fresh brake fluid.
7. I use a ¼ inch ratchet and six-point deep well socket to break loose each bleeder and then lightly retighten them again. I then switch over to a straight hand driver with the same six-point socket. I like to bleed into the socket to keep the brake fluid from squirting all over.
8. Get your assistant into the driver’s seat. Teach them these words and functions.
* PUMP – Slowly push the pedal down with light pressure until it stops, then release, count 2 seconds and repeat. (The 2 seconds delay allows the master cylinder to release any air bubbles and refill if air is present at the master cylinder)
* HOLD – Hold the brake pedal down with mild pressure. Do not allow the brake pedal to return even if the brake pedal goes down. They can only allow the brake pedal to return after the command RELEASE.
9. Your plan will be to bleed the furthest bleeder from the master cylinder first and then work up to the closest being last. Then repeat.
10. Have your assistant PUMP the brakes a few times then HOLD. Open the bleeder as fluid shoots into the socket then close the bleeder. Repeat this several times. In between bleeds tap the calipers lightly with a hammer to make any air bubbles release.
Keep a check on the brake fluid level. Keep topping it off. You do NOT want the master cylinder to run out of fluid.
11. Final bleed. Same as above except close off the bleeder more quickly. You would want to close the bleeder before the brake pedal has bottomed out to reduce the chance to suck back any air through the bleeder.
12. Tighten all four bleeders with your ¼ ratchet.
13. Pump the brakes 4 times and check the brake fluid level.

LOTS OF AIR IN THE SYSTEM DUE TO CHANGING BRAKE COMPONENTS
Before getting your assistant you can perform a preliminary “gravity bleed”.
1. Put the car on jack stands with the wheels off.
2. Place a container under each caliper to catch the brake fluid.
3. Put a drop of oil on each of the bleeder threads to loosen up the rust.
4. Siphon all the old fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir.
5. Wipe master cylinder reservoir clean if possible.
6. Top off master cylinder reservoir with fresh brake fluid.
7. Open the bleeder farthest from the master cylinder.
8. Grab a beer and wait a while until you see fluid slowly leaking out the bleeder.
9. Keep checking the master cylinder fluid level.
10. Occasionally lightly hammer on the calipers to release air bubbles.
11. Let it bleed this way until you get clean fluid.
12. Close the bleeder and move to the next bleeder, repeat.
13. Now bleed the brakes as noted above with an assistant.

CHANGING THE MASTER CYLINDER
1. Do a bench bleed before installing the master cylinder.
2. Next do the gravity feed as noted above followed by a bleed with an assistant.