Any recommendations for a brake bleeder?

[Court_S]

Looks like I’m going to have to replace at least one of the brake callipers on my other half’s 125i (plus it’s due a brake fluid change).

Can any one recommend a decent bleeder? I currently considering this one:

Sealey VS820 Brake & Clutch Bleeding System https://amzn.eu/d/b1QRMa5

[gt40steve]

If you have a compressor - a Sealey VS 020 vacuum bleeder. Suck the fluid through, rather than pressurising the master cylinder and risk a leak showering the front of the car with brake fluid.

[Court_S]

Thanks, I’ll look into one of those since I have a compressor in the garage.

[E-bmw]

Never (personally) been a fan of vacuum bleeders as they can suck air in past the threads of the bleed nipples, always used pressure bleeders for that reason.

[Daston]

E-bmw said:

Never (personally) been a fan of vacuum bleeders as they can suck air in past the threads of the bleed nipples, always used pressure bleeders for that reason.

That shouldn't cause an issue as its not adding air to the system as long as the nipple is shut whilst under pressure

[GreenV8S]

E-bmw said:

Never (personally) been a fan of vacuum bleeders as they can suck air in past the threads of the bleed nipples, always used pressure bleeders for that reason.

Me neither. I want to see the state of the fluid coming out, and if it's being aerated by the vacuum bleeder you've no idea whether there's still air in the system.

[E-bmw]

Daston said:

E-bmw said:

Never (personally) been a fan of vacuum bleeders as they can suck air in past the threads of the bleed nipples, always used pressure bleeders for that reason.

That shouldn't cause an issue as its not adding air to the system as long as the nipple is shut whilst under pressure

You miss my point.

It is harder to tell if you have bled the air out if there is air being pulled in through the bleed nipple thread.

[Tasmin200]

I've never had any issues bleeding up a system using an old coffee jar with a bit of fluid in it and a clear hose. Ideally with a helper to press the pedal but normally OK solo.

[Daston]

E-bmw said:

You miss my point.

It is harder to tell if you have bled the air out if there is air being pulled in through the bleed nipple thread.

Ah yes that's very true, I was conviced there was still air in my MG brakes as the pedal felt horrid. I was then told by another owner (after they drove it) "no they are all like that"

[Court_S]

Thanks all, I’ve bought a pressure bleeder. It’s been recommended by enough people so I’ll give that a whirl.

[paintman]

In that case pay attention to the operating pressure.

Old master cylinders esp don't like pressure at the top end of the max recommended pressure & the results are indeed spectacular!

[Court_S]

paintman said:

In that case pay attention to the operating pressure.

Old master cylinders esp don't like pressure at the top end of the max recommended pressure & the results are indeed spectacular!

Will do. I doubt it’ll need huge pressure and it all else fails, I’ll just use the catch bottle and rope the wife in to help (it’s her car after all).

[dhutch]

Ive only ever used a bog standard 'Gunson Eezibleed' and have had no issues.

Fortunately the kitcar which it the usual candidate has tyres at a nice low pressure.

[chrisch77]

The vacuum bleeder is a useful addition to the toolbox so you can pull lots of fluid through the system via a bleed nipple on the calliper, and even to vacuum the fluid out of the reservoir. However I’ve suffered the same issues as reported already and found it useless for the actual bleeding process as you will always see a stream of bubbles due to air pulled through the bleed nipple threads if the bleed is open.

Easybleed therefore gets my vote!

[blueST]

Court_S said:

paintman said:

In that case pay attention to the operating pressure.

Old master cylinders esp don't like pressure at the top end of the max recommended pressure & the results are indeed spectacular!

Will do. I doubt it’ll need huge pressure and it all else fails, I’ll just use the catch bottle and rope the wife in to help (it’s her car after all).

It doesn’t take much psi and I start to see stress in plastic of the reservoir on my Defender. Makes me a tad nervous, but it hasn’t exploded yet.

[ninjag]

I use this device that makes it a super easy one man job: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B081HD3CNB/ref...

[Court_S]

ninjag said:

I use this device that makes it a super easy one man job: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B081HD3CNB/ref...

Thanks. That’s basically what I bought.

Will be using it tomorrow.

[Anoymously101]

I wrap the threads of the bleed screw with ptfe tape, then they seal and I get no stream of bubbles with a mityvac bleeder.

Years ago in the Montoya days I managed to get a visit to the Williams pits after Friday GP practice, They were using a mityvac to vacuum bleed the brakes. I bought mine after that, abandoned the Gunsons easibleed, and it’s still going strong. Always seems to be a really easy way no mess way to bleed brakes.

Jon

[austina35]

Recently fitted a new clutch master and slave to one of my classic cars. Today I bled the clutch for the 1st time. I have a gunsons ezibleed but decided to use my pela oil extractor.

Job was done in less than 10 mins. With the clear hose on the pela, I could watch the fluid under vaccum. Easily the best way to do the job.

[pcn1]

I've toyed with buying something for years.

But these days at my age, I'm looking for reasons NOT to buy any more tools

So for me, as its only once a year job I'll keep doing it the old fashion way. Get a family member to pump the pedal while I'm at the bleed nipple with an old jar and a length of tube !

Just as my dad taught me back in the day