I tried asking this in Tech, but no luck; same with an extensive search.

Can anyone tell me about a system that uses an air compressor to bleed brakes? I kept reading about it, but no one really explained how it works, where to get one, or how much one costs. Can anyone shed a little light for me? Thanks

 

Its called "Vacula", probably has other commercial names, but that is what mine is called...... it uses air to create suction which sucks out (bleeds) the air from the system. It works great, I use it all the time. It's fast, efficient and neat, no mess.

 

Google is your friend.... It took me at least 30 seconds (I type kinda slow)

http://www.google.com/search?h...eeder

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BeerMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I tried asking this in Tech, but no luck; same with an extensive search.

Can anyone tell me about a system that uses an air compressor to bleed brakes? I kept reading about it, but no one really explained how it works, where to get one, or how much one costs. Can anyone shed a little light for me? Thanks </TD></TR></TABLE>
I have heard that a blow gun designed for liquids actually works pretty well. put the solvent hose on the bleeder, and point the gun in your waste bottle. I havent had a chance to try it since my compressor is busted though. Costs around $8.
There are use specific compressed air brake bleeders that I believe are around $80 or so.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Google is your friend.... It took me at least 30 seconds (I type kinda slow)

http://www.google.com/search?h...eeder

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

Thanks for the link, I am also looking for opinions/ experience on specific products.

 

allrightythen,
the links from Google should answer the how much and where to get it.

As far as experiences.... here's what I know:
- I use a cheapo Mighty Vac hand pump that you can hook up on the bleeder and then give your forearms a workout as you pump the fluid out. Don't forget to regularly top off the master cylinder. It works fine and is a good cheap solution if you have to bleed your brakes by yourself. Cost = $20 IIRC.

- some people use/have used the Motive bleeder. You hook it up to the master cylinder with an adapter plate, pump it up to pressurize and then go open the bleeders one at a time. In theory it whould work great, but many people have had problems with the adapter plate not sealing well and leaking. Cost = $50

- other yet use the Speed Bleeders, which are special bleeder screws with a one-way valve built in. So you loosen, pump the brakes and there you go. Again, people have had problems with them leaking, or breaking. Cost about $40 for all 4 ???

- finally, the air powered vacuum bleeders. I have never tried them, or talked to club racers who do. I believe that a lot of shops use them, though. So they must be working pretty well. More expensive though (looks like $250 to $500). I believe that they have two part, one is a small tank that you attach to the mater cylinder to deliver the new brake fluid, and another is the air operate pump that you attach to the bleeder. Comes with a catch can to dispose of the fluid. Downside is that it will be more difficult to use at the track...

In the end, it seems that most people prefer the ol' tried and true 2-man job with a pumper and a bleeder. And it's free.

HTH

 

$4 vacuum t00b from home despot + myself + catchcan = brake bleeding

i built a pressure bleeder last year but it sucked ***. maybe i'll give it another round.

 

I appreciate the responses, questions answered.

Already did the speedbleeder route, ended up with 2 malfunctioning bleeders after just a couple brake jobs. The vacula system might be out of my price range right now, and I've heard too many mixed opinions about the hand pumps. I think I'll try the aquarium check valve, I've heard so much about.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BeerMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think I'll try the aquarium check valve, I've heard so much about.</TD></TR></TABLE>

For $2 you cant go wrong. Oh, i forgot to mention i use a hoseclamp to secure a l00p in the t00b and point the t00b 'up' coming out of the bleeder. I still do the 2-man method when i have someone around but if i dont this is how i do it.

 

have you already posted about your t00b method and I missed it? If not, can you elaborate?

 

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

Oh, i forgot to mention i use a hoseclamp to secure a l00p in the t00b and point the t00b 'up' coming out of the bleeder. I still do the 2-man method when i have someone around but if i dont this is how i do it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've heard about this loop, does this effectively prevent bubbles from coming back in when you bleed it yourself?

 

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

I've heard about this loop, does this effectively prevent bubbles from coming back in when you bleed it yourself?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes

- Put car on jacks
- Open beer, that was alot of work
- Make a l00b in a vauum t00b that fits securely on the brake bleeder - i.e. wont fall off
- secure l00p with hose clamp/zip tie/girlfriend's hand/etc
- open bl33d3r (just enough to let fluid out)
- pump 10-15 times (block of wood under brake pedal, duh)
- close bl33d3r
- Open another beer, we're working hard
- Repeat in order for the other lines
- One more beer for a job well done

 

dammit RJ if you type l00p or t00b one more time......

 

0h g00d, I'm glad I'm n0t th3 0nly 0n3 ann0y3d by it...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dammit RJ if you type l00p or t00b one more time......</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll l00p a t00b around j00r m0m