Bleeding brakes with hand suction/vacuum tool?

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Oct 21, 2003 | 01:04 PM

Skyhigh82

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 364

Likes: 0

From: Potomac MD

Bleeding brakes with hand suction/vacuum tool?

Do you leave the master cylinder cap off while bleeding?

Oct 21, 2003 | 01:21 PM

Lt1er

Drifting

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 1,462

Likes: 1

From: Reno nevada

Re: Bleeding brakes with hand suction/vacuum tool? (Skyhigh)

Yes, That way you can tell how much fluid you have. If you suck it out of the master your inducing air in the lines. It's pretty easy to suck them dry with a vacuum bleeder. I don't think that the cap is vented either.

Oct 21, 2003 | 08:48 PM

CF6873

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,107

Likes: 14

From: Lancaster PA

Re: Bleeding brakes with hand suction/vacuum tool? (Lt1er)

Many of us have found that gravity bleeding is the most effective way. Crack the bleeder and apply very slight pressure to the pedal to get it started and let it drip. Craig :seeya

Oct 21, 2003 | 10:01 PM

carriljc

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 6,746

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Do a pressure bleed...

I've been bleeding those annoying Corvette brakes now for 19 years. This past week I just got tired of trying use vaccuum, foot pedals, and all the stuff. So yesterday I made one of the following:
http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm

Today, I went out to the garage, pressurized the master cylinder, went around the car bleeding each port, then bled the Master Cylinder.....hardest brake pedal I've ever had. It took me longer to remove the rear tires than it did to do anything else. I recommend making (or buying) one.

Oct 21, 2003 | 10:12 PM

Marc80

Racer

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 296

Likes: 1

From: Sarasota FL

Re: Bleeding brakes with hand suction/vacuum tool? (Skyhigh)

Good luck with that bleeder b_tch POS! I did mine for quite a while before I figured out that it wouldn't seat properly.

Oct 21, 2003 | 10:46 PM

ROD NOCK

Pro

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 654

Likes: 0

From: Now Frozen in Michigan

Re: Bleeding brakes with hand suction/vacuum tool? (Skyhigh)

I've bled brake for years w/the mity vac w/good results. I use small spring clamps to secure the line to the bleeder valve for a positive fit. And yes, leave the M.S. cap off, and clean the inside of it well before reinst.
I do prefer the pressure bleeder method, and I'm overdue to build one! :yesnod:

Oct 21, 2003 | 11:58 PM

carriljc

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 6,746

Likes: 1,387

Master Cylinder cap

Well, I wasnt' able to find a master cylinder cap....didn't have time to go to junkyard....so, I just took a flat piece of aluminum, ~1/4" thick, made a rubber gasket for it, and pressed it against the cast iron master cylinder with a large C-clamp. I drilled a hole for hooking up the hose and I also notched the underside so that the brake fluid would be shared/transferred between both volumes. Only spillage I had was when I removed it....I should really add a vent valve so I can siphon out the excess brake fluid when I'm done. I'm not even dreading the next bleed!

Oct 22, 2003 | 12:54 AM

Z-man

Race Director

Joined: Nov 1999

Posts: 10,643

Likes: 8

From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible

Re: Master Cylinder cap (carriljc)

Man - you folks seem to all be doing it the hard way! The best way I've ever seen is to get a set of the bleeders with the ball check valves. The check valve allows fluid to exit the bleeder and prevents air from entering the system when you release pressure. To bleed the brakes:

1. Crack the bleeder 1/4 turn
2. Depress the pedal a few times
3. Re-tighten the bleeder

Repeat for each caliper. You can even do this in your tuxedo. It takes approximately 30 sec. per wheel, less if you are not having a beer!
:D