Speed bleeders for brakes

[suzukizone]

Anyone using speed bleeders on the brakes? Mainly asking as I saw some from D> Kirk cheaper than OEM bits. Since I want to replace the valves these would be cheaper.

Easy enough for me to bleed on my lonesome except for the Left Front. Would be convenient tho not necessary.

Anyway I await the flow of wisdom. Thanks in advance.

DH

[bwringer]

They're useless for bleeding air out of brakes on motorcycles. The teensy master cylinder found on a motorcycle doesn't push enough fluid volume during a stroke to overcome even a small bubble and push any fluid out.

They're of some small use if you're just doing a fluid change and you have the patience to pump the lever 947 times.

Overall, it's much faster, easier, and more thorough to vacuum bleed.



Of course, experiences and opinions vary; someone will probably be along shortly to declare speed bleeders to be the most useful invention since the zip tie.

[Steve]

Of course, experiences and opinions vary; someone will probably be along shortly to declare speed bleeders to be the most useful invention since the zip tie.

Speed bleeders are the most useful invention since the zip tie.

Maybe.

On another vehicle.

Like bwringer, I have had less-than-pleasant experiences with speed bleeders on a bike. I had pretty good luck using a Mity-Vac, but it's even MORE fun now that I am using an electric vacuum pump.

.

[cowboyup3371]

I tried to install them in my bike and quickly had to remove them as I could not get the brakes to bleed properly no matter what I did. I even asked Steve to come over and he couldn't get them to work properly. I would recommend you run away from them and don't waste your money

[hillsy]

After an old skool mechanic showed me how to use a syringe to bleed brakes about 20 years ago I have never had the need to use anything else since.

[Skinner]

I agree with everyone - they are not worth it. I had nothing but headaches trying to fill and bleed my brakes after a rebuild. Ended up buying a vacuum pump and never looked back. I won’t buy them again.

[bwringer]

FWIW, I've had a couple of failures with the plastic MityVac vacuum pumps. Not a fan.

My current vacuum pump is a brass-bodied unit from Harbor Freight. It's been reliable for many years. I've also used a metal MityVac, and it's a very nice unit, although expensive. The plastic one is junk.

Steve, I REALLY like the idea of an electric pump... I presume it's regulated to a certain level of vacuum? Where would one buy such a thing? Amazon results are inconclusive...


A couple of hints:

- On any pump, wrap the gauge in clear packing tape. If you drop it more than an inch or so (and you WILL drop it) the gauge lens will shatter. Tape protects the gauge and you can still use it even after you shatter the lens.

- Grab a decent size translucent plastic lawn mower or old car fuel filter (one with a paper element) from the hardware or auto parts store. Install this on a short piece of tubing, then set up the rest as usual. The filter protects the pump from sucking in dirt, it gives you an extra few seconds to respond if you accidentally start sucking in brake fluid (reservoir accidentally full or above the pump... it happens), and it acts as an additional vacuum reservoir so you don't have to pump it up as often.

[Steve]

Steve, I REALLY like the idea of an electric pump... I presume it's regulated to a certain level of vacuum? Where would one buy such a thing?

I don't know where you would find one on a public/commercial level. I guess that is one of the perks of working in a hospital.

The pump that I have is one that was retired from service on what we call a "crash cart". That is the cart that has the defibrillator, suction pump and all the emergency drugs that are wheeled QUICKLY to a patient when the call a "Code Blue". One of the hospitals where I work was upgrading their pumps to units that included a battery backup. The one I have is an older version of this:



Wow, that's almost life-sized.

Yes, the vacuum can be regulated, and there is a bottle to catch whatever comes out, which makes it very NICE.

.

[mmattockx]

Overall, it's much faster, easier, and more thorough to vacuum bleed.

+1 to vacuum bleeding. The only thing better is filling from the bottom on a fluid change or when installing new lines.

I had pretty good luck using a Mity-Vac, but it's even MORE fun now that I am using an electric vacuum pump.

And I thought it was easy to suck the MC reservoir dry with a hand pump...


Mark

[mrbill5491]

I tried them, then tossed them.

[Steve]

And I thought it was easy to suck the MC reservoir dry with a hand pump...

Now, it's not only easy, it's QUICK.

Fortunately, I can adjust the amount of 'suck', making it easier to keep track of fluid level.

Still handy to have a helper around, though. They can keep fluid topped off while I monitor suction at the bottom.

.

[LAB3]

After an old skool mechanic showed me how to use a syringe to bleed brakes about 20 years ago I have never had the need to use anything else since.

Could you explain how to do that, or a link to a page with instructions? Having a plan B, C and D are better than one plan A in my book!

[suzukizone]

Bleeders

I don't know where you would find one on a public/commercial level. I guess that is one of the perks of working in a hospital.

The pump that I have is one that was retired from service on what we call a "crash cart". That is the cart that has the defibrillator, suction pump and all the emergency drugs that are wheeled QUICKLY to a patient when the call a "Code Blue". One of the hospitals where I work was upgrading their pumps to units that included a battery backup. The one I have is an older version of this:



Wow, that's almost life-sized.

Yes, the vacuum can be regulated, and there is a bottle to catch whatever comes out, which makes it very NICE.

.

I use one of these from Harbor Fright: https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-...der-92924.html Hooks up to compressor & works great especially for flushing the system.

Just hard to deal with brake lever AND LH caliper at same time if needs be. So far I have found these "bleeder vales" in some places cheaper than the stock OEM bleeders. I could just use them as replacement parts and not as actually bleeders tho I would always be tempted to give them a try if they were sitting there anyway.
I don't see a problem in using them in lieu of the OEM bleeders to save a buck or two (cheapskate on fixed income, of course) unless there is something I am missing/ What sez ye?

Thanks for the multiple replies BTW, you are a great team over the years. If I ever manage to actually learn anything before I kick the bucket I'd love to pass it on. Right now I seem to be better at forgetting than learning.

DH

[Steve]

I don't see a problem in using them in lieu of the OEM bleeders to save a buck or two (cheapskate on fixed income, of course) unless there is something I am missing/ What sez ye?

I am all for saving money, but really hesitate to do so when my life depends on it.

You have seen the experiences of other forum members. I have not bothered to go back and look at them all, but were any of them positive? I know there were several negatives and possibly a "meh" or two, but were any of them positive? For a couple of bucks, I would go with the real deal.

.

[aclaytonb]

I'll be that guy - used speed bleeders on my FZ6 and they worked great. Was considering getting a set for this ancient gremlin. Never used vacuum units but I can say the speed bleeder is better than a 10yr old pumping the lever while I open and close the valve.