Do speed bleeders really work......
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Sebastian Florida
Do speed bleeders really work......
and are they worth changing out on my new 1971 vert calipers? Do they really keep the air our when you are bleeding the brakes by yourself. They seem like a reasonable investment for the hassle you might save.
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I put the speed bleeders in last spring and couldn't believe how well they worked. I bled all 4 calipers, myself, in about an hour, which is fast for me. 
That includes jacking her up and removing the wheels.
That includes jacking her up and removing the wheels.
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From: Sebastian Florida
I actually have a new MityVac that I tried to use but it didn't seem to pull the fluid out very well, so I ended up doing it the old fashion way. Later I realized that I was an idiot and was using the MityVac improperly. But I just did the front brakes and shocks and will be doing the back brakes in a few weeks, so I'll have to bleed them again. But I didn't realize that those speed bleeders were so expensive (Ecklers $17 pr). I think I'll try to use that MityVac again to see if I can do a better job with it.
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From: Melville, Long Island NY
I also tried the Mighty Vac for brake bleeding w/o luck. While it's a very useful tool, I just couldn't get a good seal on the bleeder valves.I went with the gravity bleed method as was recommended by another CF Member. It took a little time but in the end I had no air in the system and a firm pedal with DOT 5.
Good luck.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Pleasant Grove AL
Originally Posted by Avette4me
i bought one of these...cheap and works like a charm... 
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From: Sebastian Florida
Another question on the use of a MityVac pump. When you attach the pump to the bleeder screw, open the screw and pump, should the brake fluid that comes out into the tubing of the pump completely fill the tubing all of the way down to the jar. Or is it OK for there to be a lot of air in the tubing as you pull fluid from the caliper? I have a lot of air in the tubing during this process and don't know if this if hindering a good bleed job.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Middle Tennessee
In my experience over 20+ years of Corvette ownership, I have found the power bleeder method to be the most efficient method of bleeding C3 brakes. The vacuum method has never worked for me. BTW, the only stitches I have ever had in my hide was from a C3 brake job! 
Race Director
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by pkgtaxcpa
Another question on the use of a MityVac pump. When you attach the pump to the bleeder screw, open the screw and pump, should the brake fluid that comes out into the tubing of the pump completely fill the tubing all of the way down to the jar. Or is it OK for there to be a lot of air in the tubing as you pull fluid from the caliper? I have a lot of air in the tubing during this process and don't know if this if hindering a good bleed job.
i have the mity vac and it just doesn't work well on vette brakes....those bubbles you see are probably air being sucked in around the plastic tubing or the bleeder valve.....the bigger spaces are coming from the brakes.....i have used the mity vac for about 10 yrs now and its a great tool just not good for vette brakes.....i bought the motive pressure bleeder and its the only way to go.....
EDIT: you want to have vacuum already established before you open the bleeder and close it before the vacuum dissipates,
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jan 16, 2006 at 05:13 PM.
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From: Melville, Long Island NY
Originally Posted by pkgtaxcpa
TPL79:
What is the gravity method for bleeding brakes???
What is the gravity method for bleeding brakes???
http://community-2.webtv.net/MATTGRU/BRAKES/index.html
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From: Sebastian Florida
I'll be trying the gravity method tonight. I check back in with my results. Thanks guys.
Reminder: the NCRS Winter Nationals are this weekend in Kissimme, FL. I hope to see you all there. This will be my first corvette event where I actuall own a vette. It should be fun.
Reminder: the NCRS Winter Nationals are this weekend in Kissimme, FL. I hope to see you all there. This will be my first corvette event where I actuall own a vette. It should be fun.
Melting Slicks
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From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Reminder: the NCRS Winter Nationals are this weekend in Kissimme, FL. I hope to see you all there. This will be my first corvette event where I actuall own a vette. It should be fun.[/QUOTE]
Aren't you jumping the gun on the NCRS meet this weekend? The NCRS Kissimmee event is scheduled for Jan 26-29. http://www.cfca.net/calendar.php
Wouldn't want someone showing up on Jan 21 and be disappointed.
Aren't you jumping the gun on the NCRS meet this weekend? The NCRS Kissimmee event is scheduled for Jan 26-29. http://www.cfca.net/calendar.php
Wouldn't want someone showing up on Jan 21 and be disappointed.
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yea uhmm.. i bled all my valves and replaced my mastercylinder in about 30 minutes. I'm guessing i used the gravity method. (3/8" tubing attached to valve on one end and other end in a clear cup of brake fluid. The end of the tube stayed in the cup fine and i was able to see the rear ends by using my rear view mirrors. Front end was tricky cuz i had to lean, but it was certainly faster and cheaper then buying a speed bleeder.
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From: Sebastian Florida
Yes, I did jump the gun on the NCRS dates. Sorry about that. I'm confused because I was under the assumption that it was this weekend for quite a while due to something I received from a corvette parts vendor that said it was this weekend. Only recently did I find out that it is the following weekend. Actuall I'm still confused as I've already arranged for a sitter for my disabled mother-in-law (who lives with us)for this weekend. And I've been so excited about it. Damn, I have to wait another week. Thanks for the kick in the ***. My wife is usually the one to correct me. She must be slacking.
Update my my gravity bleed attemp last night. Not much luck. I did both front brakes with little to show for it. I expected something to come out of the bleeder (a slow leak) into the tubing and catch jar I attached, but I got nothing after a half hour on each brake. Didn't bother with the back brakes yet until I figure out if I'm doing something wrong. I did notice some brake fluid around one of the front brake line/hose connections. Not sure if this is the problem, but it obviously requires fixing.
Update my my gravity bleed attemp last night. Not much luck. I did both front brakes with little to show for it. I expected something to come out of the bleeder (a slow leak) into the tubing and catch jar I attached, but I got nothing after a half hour on each brake. Didn't bother with the back brakes yet until I figure out if I'm doing something wrong. I did notice some brake fluid around one of the front brake line/hose connections. Not sure if this is the problem, but it obviously requires fixing.
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Bleed very often...
Purchased car July 2005
1. Locked up Right rear Parking Brake, temporary fix, order parts, bleed brakes.
2. Rebuild entire Front supension, bleed brakes.
3. Rebuild left rear TA bushings, bleed brakes.
4. Take wife for a ride in order to procure more $$$ for project.
5. Rebuild right rear TA bushings, bleed brakes.
6. Install new parking brake hardware, bleed brakes.
7. Install all new flex lines for calipers, bleed brakes.
8. Install new Rear TA hard lines, bleed brakes.
9. Install new front and rear shocks, bleed brakes.
You get the picture.... wish I had a better way than the one man bleeder I have. It's basically the same as a hose in a coke bottle.
Save The Wave!!
1. Locked up Right rear Parking Brake, temporary fix, order parts, bleed brakes.
2. Rebuild entire Front supension, bleed brakes.
3. Rebuild left rear TA bushings, bleed brakes.
4. Take wife for a ride in order to procure more $$$ for project.
5. Rebuild right rear TA bushings, bleed brakes.
6. Install new parking brake hardware, bleed brakes.
7. Install all new flex lines for calipers, bleed brakes.
8. Install new Rear TA hard lines, bleed brakes.
9. Install new front and rear shocks, bleed brakes.
You get the picture.... wish I had a better way than the one man bleeder I have. It's basically the same as a hose in a coke bottle.
Save The Wave!!