bussetech

In preparation for my first track event, I decided to put in some ATE Super Blue Racing brake fluid that I got at OG racing (www.ogracing.com -- really nice folks there, got my helmet and the IO Port camera mount while I was there too).

Having never bled my brakes before, and being only vaguely familiar with the process, I enlisted the help of a more experienced friend. This afternoon we flushed and bled the brakes using the two-person pump and shout method, but were in a bit of a hurry. He left to go meet another friend for lunch and as I pulled out of the parking lot, I noticed that my pedal went all the way to the floor with no noticable braking effect. Pumping it some gave me just enough pressure to limp 3 miles home, w/ a 100' following distance to the car infront.

I searched here (part of the reason I'm posting this -- so others might find it in their hour of need) and found some good suggestions about using aquarium check valves to make 1-person bleeders. I went to the aquarium store, and of course -- they didn't have any check valves. Went next door to Trak-Auto, found a "One person bleeder kit w/ check valve" that, after closer inpection, had no check valve. I talked to the parts counter guy who verified that the package was mislabled and that there was no way that it would really work.

Then he showed me a hand-held vacuum pump and another brake bleeder kit that is designed to go with it, and happens to work just like a bong. I took it home and in a half hour was able to bleed all four brakes without jacking the car, and without having to worry about someone pumping the pedal. I think I could do it again in 5 minutes now that I know how to use this system. It was incredibly quick and easy and now my brakes feel like new again!

They also had an el-cheapo store brand set of Metric combination wrenches w/ a really small 10mm wrench that made accessing the bleeder valve a cinch.

Anyway, the bleeder tools I got from Trak-Auto were:

Hand Vacuum Pump: http://www.actron.com/cgi-bin/web_st...age=cp7830.htm

Brake Bleeder Kit: http://www.actron.com/cgi-bin/web_st...age=cp7840.htm

Actron also makes a "Pro" kit that has the same parts, in a nice case, for nearly twice as much -- might make someone a good holiday gift! (and the pic might actually load):
http://www.actron.com/cgi-bin/web_st...age=km2501.htm

Enjoy,
Chris

Xian

sounds like a good method but I use speedbleeders at all 4 corners and have ben really happy with them. if you aren't familiar with them, the are basically a bleed valve with a built in one way check valve Once you've got them installed brake bleeding is a one man process and is super simple. They're about $30 for all 4.

I think that the corp website is http://www.speedbleeder.com

bussetech

Speedbleeders only work on one vehicle

(I'm just jealous that I didn't have the time to get a new mod for my car, but a new tool is almost as good!)

Mike K

For those with access to air... Vacula rules.

Good for bleeding clutch too...

555R

agreed
I have one and it takes me about 10 mins and I dont have to remove the wheels
Porsche club guys were amazed that I had it and didnt remove my wheels
they like the 2 man pump and bleed method for some reason

JohnnyBoy

Yeah the guns are sweet! Did my clutch with one and it was fast and easy...they are fairly inexpensive too. I used a MAC Tools one.

b00st-0wnz

AMEN! Unless of course, your air supply doesn't flow enough CFM, then stick to using the Vacula on CRXes only.. it wont even work on a 1st gen rx7 if you don't have enough air.. in other words, we've had bad experience with the Vacula on a shitty home-style craftsmen compression but great luck with it on a real compressor.