Bleeding brakes with vacuum bleeder
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 78
Likes: 35
From: Geneva, NY
Bleeding brakes with vacuum bleeder
I have a MityVac vacuum brake bleeder and am getting ready to install new pads and change the brake fluid. Has anyone used the MityVac to bleed their brakes? At the shop they use the Snap-On brake bleeder but Snap-On wouldn't sell me one so I bought the Mity. Here's my issue, I tried using the MV on my 2018 Honda Goldwing DCT Tour and it didn't work because I could pull a vacuum on the bleeder, but I think the bike's bleeder is smaller than the cars. Also, while I'm on the subject of brakes I have iron rotors and drive a spirited pace and am trying to decide between CarboTech 1521 or Hawk ceramic pads, anyone have experience with either of those? I'm not concerned that much about brake dust, it is a sports car and is driven like that, and I'm not unhappy with the GM pads that originally came with the car but am always looking to improve performance. Thanks for any input.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
I threw it away. I couldn't get a good enough seal. I normally suck all the old fluid out of the reservoir and half fill it and suck it out again to get any black stuff at the bottom. I fill it to the rim and use a pressure bleeder from Motive Products. With the system pressurized, I raise the back or front or whatever the order is and open the bleeder screws. Won't run dry since there is a huge reservoir in the device. I do this every 2 years since that was the MB standard. Every even year, I do all the vehicles on one day. 3 cars, 1 UTV and 1 trike. Sucks since I can't do the UTV or trike with it but since I am already dirty, might as well do everything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,361
Likes: 2,108
From: Loveland
Get the Motive bleeder with the C7 adapter. It hooks up to the reservoir to pressure bleed from the top out the wheel bleeder,,, very easy and it works. Just don't run the reservoir dry. They have adapters for all cars.
https://www.motiveproducts.com/colle...ioqyysSjWjtbPZ
https://www.motiveproducts.com/colle...ioqyysSjWjtbPZ
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 78
Likes: 35
From: Geneva, NY
I've got one, couldn't tighten the cap on the reservoir, I thought I was going to break the master cylinder reservoir tightening it so I shelved it in favor of the vacuum bleeder which is what the shop uses.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
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From: Hartford WI
Me too. It works out with the thin gasket and you don't have to click it. Just tight enough.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 78
Likes: 35
From: Geneva, NY
It's a MV6830, I haven't tried it on the car, I was trying to bleed my 2018 Honda Goldwing's brakes and I couldn't get it to pull a vacuum because the bleeder adapter wouldn't fit tight enough on the bleeder. I think the bleeder on the bike is smaller than the car's so I'm hoping it works on the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,361
Likes: 2,108
From: Loveland
I don't know how the physics works for sure, but it just seems to me, it's better to push the fluid from the reservoir out the bleeder screws than try to suck it out. I have used the Motive bleeder on 1961 cars to 2014 cars and it works very well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
Way I see it, you can get a good seal on the bleeder screw but if it has to be open to suck fluid out, how do you keep a seal around the screw threads?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 814
Likes: 458
From: Edgewater, FL
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Similar subject but different question.
Is there any reason not to use Speed-Bleeders on a C7?
I used them on my 2013 Goldwing and they worked like a charm and the Goldwings are very finicky about getting the brakes bled properly.
Is there any reason not to use Speed-Bleeders on a C7?
I used them on my 2013 Goldwing and they worked like a charm and the Goldwings are very finicky about getting the brakes bled properly.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 814
Likes: 458
From: Edgewater, FL
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
That is correct, one person bleeding process, attach a catch bag to the bleeder nipple, crack open the speed bleeder, press the brake pedal as needed to push fluid out, then close the speed bleeder like a normal bleed valve. Empty the catch bag as needed, no mess or fluid on the floor.
Just need to keep an eye on the master cylinder reservoir to ensure you do not run it dry.
Just need to keep an eye on the master cylinder reservoir to ensure you do not run it dry.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 78
Likes: 35
From: Geneva, NY
I'm not sure but I have a video of the mechanic at VanBortel bleeding the brakes with the SanpOn version of the MityVac and I didn't see them do anything special to seal the threads.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
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From: N. Alabama
Have been flushing my brake fluid on corvettes since 1999. I always use the Motive Bleeder on all four: C4, C5 and two C7's. I use a quick disconnect for the different M/C caps. I have found the right rear to require almost the volume of the other three calipers total for a good flush. I noticed this when using the 'blue' fluid years ago. Another interesting difference is the need to also pump the pedal in the '96 while M/C has pressure from the Motive in order to push the fluid. Have never experienced problems on the various road courses over the years. No complaints here. All flushes work very well.