Brake bleeder tool advice
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,419
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
Brake bleeder tool advice
I'm big on maintenance, as change the brake fluid on the cars in the family fleet on a regular basis. However, since most of the cars now have plastic m/c reservoirs, I've been struggling.
I have an ancient Plews "bleeder ball" that was the nutz, for the metal m/c's, but won't work with the plastic ones. So, I bought one of the Phoenix suction tools, and while it works OK, it gets tiring squeezing the thing like a hand gun, 15-20 times at each wheel.
I was looking at the Motive bleeder, but saw a lot of mixed reviews, at least on the Summit Racing page. Anybody have any comments?
TIA!!
I have an ancient Plews "bleeder ball" that was the nutz, for the metal m/c's, but won't work with the plastic ones. So, I bought one of the Phoenix suction tools, and while it works OK, it gets tiring squeezing the thing like a hand gun, 15-20 times at each wheel.
I was looking at the Motive bleeder, but saw a lot of mixed reviews, at least on the Summit Racing page. Anybody have any comments?
TIA!!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 129
From: Chandler Az
I bought one at Harbor Freight... used shop air and would suck it through the bleeder fittings... Cheap maybe $20-$25 worked great!!
Sorry don't have the part number or name
Pete
Sorry don't have the part number or name
Pete
I'm big on maintenance, as change the brake fluid on the cars in the family fleet on a regular basis. However, since most of the cars now have plastic m/c reservoirs, I've been struggling.
I have an ancient Plews "bleeder ball" that was the nutz, for the metal m/c's, but won't work with the plastic ones. So, I bought one of the Phoenix suction tools, and while it works OK, it gets tiring squeezing the thing like a hand gun, 15-20 times at each wheel.
I was looking at the Motive bleeder, but saw a lot of mixed reviews, at least on the Summit Racing page. Anybody have any comments?
TIA!!
I have an ancient Plews "bleeder ball" that was the nutz, for the metal m/c's, but won't work with the plastic ones. So, I bought one of the Phoenix suction tools, and while it works OK, it gets tiring squeezing the thing like a hand gun, 15-20 times at each wheel.
I was looking at the Motive bleeder, but saw a lot of mixed reviews, at least on the Summit Racing page. Anybody have any comments?
TIA!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Likes: 12
From: Lancaster Ohio
I have the Motive Power Bleeder and used it for mine. I was a bit nervous as this would be the first time using a pressure bleeder like this, but it was much simpler than I had anticipated. I also used a Youtube video as guidance. Here it is:
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Another vote for the Motive Power. I've used it on my Vette and it took me around 15 minutes to bleed the entire system. Worked great. I also used it to bleed my pickup after I replaced some rusty brake lines.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,419
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
Let me make sure I understand what you're saying......You're using the Motive tool to pressurize the M/C, so it pushes the fluid out, that's in the reservoir, and refilling the reservoir pretty much after you flush each caliper?
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
That's pretty much it. First I drain the MC and fill it with new fluid and since I've got 01 & 04 vettes they do the RR LF LR RF bleed pattern and I can get one rear and one front caliper before I have to refill the reservoir.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
I use a one way valve connected to a piece of hose. No speed bleeders required. Takes 15 min to bleed the whole system start to finish with the wheels off. Cost $5-10. My brakes are rock hard.
I don't see the point of buying the motive. This is easier since you can leave the reservoir open to put in new fluid.
I don't see the point of buying the motive. This is easier since you can leave the reservoir open to put in new fluid.
Last edited by jz2003; Mar 10, 2016 at 09:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,419
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
I never though of using the Motive tool just as a pressurization tool. The old "bleeder ball" I had, worked well, but using the quick disconnect fitting, when done flushing the system, was tricky. Sometimes I'd get a little fluid spillage......not good.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 392
From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
Another vote for the Motive. I'm a backyard mechanic not a pro and read that if you get an air bubble in the ABS system its a trip to the dealer so they can use a Tech II to fix it. (Can someone confirm that?) That was enough for me to buy one. Fast, easy, little to no mess I recommend it. I have nice clean fluid and a solid brake pedal.
The bleed (pressure bleed) order is in the forms here somewhere which is what I used.
Last edited by Dutch08; Mar 10, 2016 at 07:07 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
For you backyard mechanics, if you have a bubble in the ABS just put the rear wheels on jackstands and put in in first and "drive". You will confuse the abs and set it off. This will cycle the bubbles out.
If that doesn't work go slam on the breaks and trigger the system.
If that doesn't work go slam on the breaks and trigger the system.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10,805
Likes: 706
From: Feverish All Over
Nice vid from Froggy. but wondering why he doesn't load the motive bottle with fluid once he fills the brake reservoir? It's made for this very purpose and that way you don't have to refill the reservoir between calipers.
vetfever
vetfever
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,443
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
I used the Motive along with the Tech 2 and did the ECBM complete auto bleed !!!!!!!!!!!! I now know every component is working as it should !!! and my entire brake system has fresh fluid !!!
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,443
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas