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The best method for one person to bleed brakes? #113097 08/31/08 05:26 PM 08/31/08 05:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,159 Cruising! Q QuickDodge OP super stock
QuickDodge OP super stock Q Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,159 Cruising!	I've done a bit of research on the net regarding tools which allow an individual to bleed brakes without any help. There are several different methods available. 1. Pressure bleeding: A few pounds of air pressure is applied to the fluid in the master cylinder. 2. Vacuun bleeding: A vacuum is applied to the wheel cylinders to pull brake fluid through the lines. 3. Check valves: These allow fluid and air to leave the wheel cylinder when the brake pedal is depressed, but don't allow air back into the brake system when the pedal is released. The check valves are only a few dollars, while the pressure and vacuum systems are more expensive. This tool will not see a lot of use in my garage, but decent quality tools are the only kind of tool worth buying. So, how do the various systems compare and what would you folks recommend?

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: QuickDodge] #113098 08/31/08 05:35 PM 08/31/08 05:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 390 pacific northwest W wings471 enthusiast
wings471 enthusiast W Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 390 pacific northwest	I use a qt. jar and a appropriate length of tubing that fits over the bleeder nipple. Fill the jar about 1/2 full of fluid, open the bleeder, make sure the tubing is down at the bootom of the jar connect the tubing to the bleeder and start pumping the pedal. RR..LR..RF..LF. Close the bleeder valve before you disconnect the tubing and move to the next one. Remember to keep the mc full. Waaay better than asking the wife for assistance. Last edited by wings440; 08/31/08 05:38 PM. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/wings440/P8050125-1.jpg "Uhmmmm......I got nuthin'."

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: wings471] #113099 08/31/08 05:39 PM 08/31/08 05:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,954 Grand Prairie,Texas stumpy I Win
stumpy I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,954 Grand Prairie,Texas	Take the cap off the master and open all the bleeders. Let them bleed with gravity until no air comes from the bleeder then close it. Keep the MS filled.

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: QuickDodge] #113100 08/31/08 05:39 PM 08/31/08 05:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass DAYCLONA I Live Here
DAYCLONA I Live Here Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass	Go out and spend $50 on a Miti-vac,....nice tool to have around, if you have no friends or your bleeding brakes at 2 O'clock in the morning Seriously, I know sometimes you feel your better off bleeding the brakes by yourself,.....because the "helper" is just not in sync with you!.....my wife, could never get the "stroke" right 4654156-0000a.jpg (59 downloads)

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: DAYCLONA] #113101 08/31/08 05:51 PM 08/31/08 05:51 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A	Quote: Go out and spend $50 on a Miti-vac,....nice tool to have around, if you have no friends or your bleeding brakes at 2 O'clock in the morning Seriously, I know sometimes you feel your better off bleeding the brakes by yourself,.....because the "helper" is just not in sync with you!.....my wife, could never get the "stroke" right hmmm, funny. she had it done perfect when she helped me out jk, I havea mity vac also and the little bleeding bowl but Ive never used it. Ive always used the wife (mine, not yours)

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? #113102 08/31/08 06:34 PM 08/31/08 06:34 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 824 NH 72challorange He's Game
72challorange He's Game Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 824 NH	I got one of those "1 man brake bleeder kits" cost < than 10 bucks, works great. It has a check ball in it to keep the fluid from going back in between strokes. Tom

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: wings471] #113103 08/31/08 06:55 PM 08/31/08 06:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,362 Rancho Cordova, California (Sa... hemi71x master
hemi71x master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,362 Rancho Cordova, California (Sa...	Do what wings440 says. That's the "flat rate" mechanics way of doing it. I do it that very same way, every day at work. Other mechanics aren't going to drop what they are doing to help doing a simple thing as bleeding brakes. RF-4C Phantom 69-370 Zweibrucken, Germany

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: 72challorange] #113104 08/31/08 07:01 PM 08/31/08 07:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 11,836 Florida M mopar346 Let me tell ya about fat chicks!
mopar346 Let me tell ya about fat chicks! M Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 11,836 Florida	HAve used gravity successfully, raise the front a little more than the rear. Have a mity-vac with canister, it works great. Have used the 1/2 full jar it works great. Haven't used the check valves but that sounds interesting. Many ways to accomplish it, main thing is to becareful to keep the master cylinder full and keep brake fluid off of the fresh paint! Careful, your character's showing!

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: DAYCLONA] #113105 08/31/08 07:10 PM 08/31/08 07:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 28,600 Shopping @ HoBo Fright 340SIX Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
340SIX Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 28,600 Shopping @ HoBo Fright	Quote: Go out and spend $50 on a Miti-vac,....nice tool to have around, if you have no friends or your bleeding brakes at 2 O'clock in the morning Seriously, I know sometimes you feel your better off bleeding the brakes by yourself,.....because the "helper" is just not in sync with you!.....my wife, could never get the "stroke" right Thats what I did [img]https://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/sig%20pics/2840886-340SIX-1.jpg[/img] VP of the MPM in New Orleans 73 Dart Sport 340/ 70 challenger vert. That may still get built, If I live long enough

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? #113106 08/31/08 07:23 PM 08/31/08 07:23 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	Quote: Seriously, I know sometimes you feel your better off bleeding the brakes by yourself,.....because the "helper" is just not in sync with you!.....my wife, could never get the "stroke" right hmmm, funny. she had it done perfect when she helped me out jk, I havea mity vac also and the little bleeding bowl but Ive never used it. Ive always used the wife (mine, not yours) Too funny!! I divorsed my wife and twenty years later we get back togeather and she says we can do anything together if we put our minds to it. Then she says the only thing I won't help you do is bleed brakes. We were hi school sweet hearts and before we were married she used to help some in the garage. She was tramatized by me telling her how to do it. I did not realize I was so hard on her but she never forgot. Since then I bought a pressure bleeder that uses different adapators to fit different master cylinders. It's a for sure deal and works great.

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: QuickDodge] #113107 08/31/08 07:34 PM 08/31/08 07:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,623 Millinocket, Maine J JonC master
JonC master J Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,623 Millinocket, Maine	I have used a 2x4 between the seat and brake pedal before. Works.

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: stumpy] #113108 08/31/08 07:36 PM 08/31/08 07:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 9,066 Eugene, Oregon M minivan master
minivan master M Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 9,066 Eugene, Oregon	Quote: Take the cap off the master and open all the bleeders. Let them bleed with gravity until no air comes from the bleeder then close it. Keep the MS filled. Simplest best way I have found also....

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: minivan] #113109 08/31/08 08:28 PM 08/31/08 08:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass DAYCLONA I Live Here
DAYCLONA I Live Here Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass	Quote: Quote: Take the cap off the master and open all the bleeders. Let them bleed with gravity until no air comes from the bleeder then close it. Keep the MS filled. Simplest best way I have found also.... [/quote Sometimes that works?....but usually when you need "mother nature's help"......she can dissapoint you sometimes!

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: DAYCLONA] #113110 08/31/08 08:29 PM 08/31/08 08:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,954 Grand Prairie,Texas stumpy I Win
stumpy I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,954 Grand Prairie,Texas	Far as I know they have never revoked the law of gravity.

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: minivan] #113111 08/31/08 08:35 PM 08/31/08 08:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 11,684 W. Kentucky justinp61 I Live Here
justinp61 I Live Here Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 11,684 W. Kentucky	I use a small electric vacuum pump with a mason jar. The jar goes between the pump and the bleeder that way the fluid goes in the jar not the pump. There is also a pet [Edited by Moparts - Keep it clean] in line to break the vacuum when needed. My wifes not hip on helping in the shop so I do most of my work alone.

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: Challenger 1] #113112 08/31/08 08:47 PM 08/31/08 08:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass DAYCLONA I Live Here
DAYCLONA I Live Here Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass	Too funny!! I divorsed my wife and twenty years later we get back togeather and she says we can do anything together if we put our minds to it. Then she says the only thing I won't help you do is bleed brakes. We were hi school sweet hearts and before we were married she used to help some in the garage. She was tramatized by me telling her how to do it. I did not realize I was so hard on her but she never forgot. Since then I bought a pressure bleeder that uses different adapators to fit different master cylinders. It's a for sure deal and works great. I hear ya Gary! ....I remember one time I called the wife in to bleed brakes in my Chally T/A....I gave her the usual you know what to do speech,...she gave me the usual, I know, I know!...let just do it! .....I'm laying on the ground, yelling "pump it"...."hold it".....and nothings happening?....again......nothing! ....so I yell out, Your not pumping the clutch are you! .....typical womens response...." what you think I'm stupid!".....again pump it! .......nothing?.....Oh yeah!....you get up, walk over to the drivers door and just ask....."show me how far the pedal goes down?" So when she steps on the clutch, or tries too (3400 lb BorgBeck ).....you learn to just say..."thats good....honey!...we're all set!"....which is then followed by "that was easier than last time!"....(72 Cuda"...auto!) That's why you buy a miti-vac....money well spent,....and sanity saved....and maybe marriage 4654490-0000a.jpg (39 downloads)

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: DAYCLONA] #113113 08/31/08 09:04 PM 08/31/08 09:04 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A	I have a mity vac pump have used it but dont have really good luck with it. I always end up calling out the wife. Sometimes just to torture her I'll just lie there and yell keep pumping the pedal nope not done yet keep going nope not yet keep doing it.Even though Ive been done for awhile and Im just lying under the car kinda daydreaming. Its good fun and it dont cost nothin.

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? #113114 08/31/08 09:26 PM 08/31/08 09:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass DAYCLONA I Live Here
DAYCLONA I Live Here Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 18,157 Mass	And I thought I was the only one guilty of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? [Re: DAYCLONA] #113115 08/31/08 09:34 PM 08/31/08 09:34 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A

Re: The best method for one person to bleed brakes? #113116 08/31/08 09:57 PM 08/31/08 09:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,159 Cruising! Q QuickDodge OP super stock
QuickDodge OP super stock Q Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,159 Cruising!	Wings440's method explains what I saw on Sear's website. They had a jar and some tubing for bleeding brakes. I couldn't figure out how it worked from the picture! Now the picture makes sense. Thanks! My wife has always helped with bleeding brakes, but it's NOT her favorite activity!

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