Just installed Speed Bleeders on my ITR brakes and clutch and had a lot of problems getting them to stop leaking. The leaking was from the hole in the bleeder screw, not past the bleeder threads.

The instructions said to torque them to 32-40 inch-pounds after they had bottomed out in the calipers. However, two of mine sprayed streams of brake fluid at this torque setting when I pumped the brakes. I used a brand new MAC 6-46 inch-pound torque driver that I purchased just for this job (I use any excuse I can to buy a new tool) so I am confident of its accuracy.

I then pulled out my newish Snap-on torque wrench and tightened them to 60 inch-pounds, but they continued to leak somewhat at this setting when I pumped the brakes (with the engine on). I then tried 100 inch-pounds and the leaking still did not fully stop on one corner. I removed this bleeder screw, cleaned it (in case some dirt got into the bleeder hole), and reinstalled, but the leaking continued at this torque setting.

I eventually decided to tighten everything tightly by hand (probably to at least three times the recommeded torque setting) and the leaking stopped. Ironically I had no problem with the clutch Speed Bleeder because I could not get the torque wrench to fit in the confines of the engine bay so hand-tightened from the beginning.

Everything seems to work now and I have a very firm pedal and no leaking (and bleeding the brakes and clutch with these when they work properly is very easy).

I can now see why a lot of people have problems with these things. I think they went way conservative on their torque recommendations to stop people stripping the bleeder threads.


Modified by norice at 3:04 PM 7/13/2003

 

I always hand tighten them. Only down side is they wear from hand tightening; I have to replace them about once a year.

 

did you use thread sealant?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did you use thread sealant?</TD></TR></TABLE>

By thread sealant do you mean like a teflon tape or something specific to speedbleeders. Just curious as I will be installing these one day this week as well. Don't know how I got along without them before

 

if they're new they come pre-coated.

I had no problems with my brake SB's but did with the Clutch one. Finally tightened it down a good bit and it's held since.

 

Ahh yeah...they have a thread sealant already on there. I was getting a little confused as they (speedbleeder people) told me they needed no additional hardware or anything, just ready to install

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did you use thread sealant?</TD></TR></TABLE>

They already come with sealant. However, as I said, the bleeders were not leaking past the threads - they were leaking through the bleeder hole.

 

speed bleeders = ****.

i am going to remove them hopefully prior to my event at glenn watkins.

 

this is very strange. i would call speedbleeder and ask them wassup. i love mine (2 sets, 1 in the civic and one in the teg) and my brother and my 3 friends who have them all love them. i have had mine on the civic going on 4 years now without a hint of problem and they are the best. i always have clean fresh fluid in my cars because of them. call them and see what they say ...

 

really...

the ones i got did not even thread entirely though the bleed hole.

ordered right from speed bleeder and even got their thread sealant, everything.

$60 dollars wasted imo.

I emailed them, never got a response.

they mar even from the slightest pressure applied.

 

Soup,

I have used them for 2 years and enver had a problem. Sure you got the right ones?

Work perfectly here. Never had to use any additional thread sealent or anything.

I like them a lot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by onyx00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Soup,

I have used them for 2 years and enver had a problem. Sure you got the right ones?

Work perfectly here. Never had to use any additional thread sealent or anything.

I like them a lot.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes I got the right ones - M10x1.5. I think an incorrect size would be immediately obvious. And this has nothing to do with the sealant - the leak is not past the threads - it is through the bleeder hole itself.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by norice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yes I got the right ones - M10x1.5. I think an incorrect size would be immediately obvious. And this has nothing to do with the sealant - the leak is not past the threads - it is through the bleeder hole itself.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

if your this certain, sounds like a defective bleeder. call up the company and ask for a replacement.

 

Speedbleeders suck, even more so for a car that sees hard track use, IMHO.

I use stock bleeders, $3 vacuum t00b from home despot, zip tie and a catch can and myself. Bleeds just fine.

RJ

 

Sounds like Speed Bleeder did a poor job of tapering/angle on the tip of the bleeder screws. If the taper does not mach the bleeder seat angle machined in to the caliper they will not seal properly and by over tightening them you may get them to seal but you will eventually ruin the seat in the caliper and render the caliper useless.

 

Or, I am not saying you’re a bad mechanic but during a previous bleed operation the bleeder screws were over tightened or dirty and the caliper bleeder seat angle was damaged.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Speedbleeders suck, even more so for a car that sees hard track use, IMHO.

I use stock bleeders, $3 vacuum t00b from home despot, zip tie and a catch can and myself. Bleeds just fine.

RJ</TD></TR></TABLE> same thing i do... use a mason jar as the catch can

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DB1-R81 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like Speed Bleeder did a poor job of tapering/angle on the tip of the bleeder screws. If the taper does not mach the bleeder seat angle machined in to the caliper they will not seal properly and by over tightening them you may get them to seal but you will eventually ruin the seat in the caliper and render the caliper useless.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This sounds plausible. However, the Speed Bleeder is made from much softer material than the caliper (intentionally) so I think the bleeders themselves would be deformed. (I hope.)

 

What is the correct part no. for ITR??

Larkin who's not worried about buying some o' deez

do you guys recommend the $7 a piece ones or stainless??


Modified by EbboyPSi at 12:43 PM 7/14/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EbboyPSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do you guys recommend the $8 a piece ones or stainless??</TD></TR></TABLE>

I recommend $3 roll of vacuum t00bing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I recommend $3 roll of vacuum t00bing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you do a post with pictures detailing this operation?

 

Speed Bleeders =
but they're not for everybody.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I use stock bleeders, $3 vacuum t00b from home despot, zip tie and a catch can and myself. Bleeds just fine.

RJ</TD></TR></TABLE>

I second that

I never use a SB, but I never feel the need to have one since bleeding the brake is as simple as changing the tires

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WhosITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I never use a SB, but I never feel the need to have one since bleeding the brake is as simple as changing the tires </TD></TR></TABLE>

It is if you have two people. If you can tell me how to reliably do it with one person without getting air in the lines, I'd be all ears.

 

Anyone use a brake bleeding kit like this?