Speed Bleeders retail source?

Christien · Christien's Garage

As posted in the tech forum...

Does anyone know if there are any retail sources for Speed Bleeders in Ontario, or anywhere in Canada for that matter? I need to bleed my brakes before next weekend, and wanted to use these if I could. (Turns out I bought the wrong size for the front calipers) Pelican would take almost 2 weeks and would be $50 in shipping, because they only ship USPS express to Canada.

Thanks!

Chris

djpateman · 05-26-2006, 06:35 PM

I have 3 7mm bleeders handy. Don't know what you want to use them on. Less than one hour away I'd guess. I'll have to order from Pelican again soon, need some more caliper kits.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Thanks - sorry, I should've been more specific. I need 4 of the 10mm ones. SB1010S is the part #.

djpateman · 05-27-2006, 06:00 AM

I wondered that. What calipers are they used on? I use my Mityvac more often these days, or a few other techniques. Never needed the Speed-bleeders even when working alone.

Christien · Christien's Garage

I've got S calipers on the front. Don't know the part #, but it was (I believe) a factory-option upgrade for the T's. Part of the "S options", along with the front chin spoiler.

djpateman · 05-27-2006, 03:48 PM

Are you sure it wasn't put on by a previous owner? S calipers require S struts or the E strut (hope not). I like the S calipers and used them on a car for years until it was sold. Still have a couple sets. I think they are 8mm threads, but could be wrong. My calipers are not at the house today for me to check.

Christien · Christien's Garage

No, I'm not sure at all - they very well could've been put on there by a PO. I'm not sure the size of the thread, but I know the size of the nut of the stock bleeder valves are 10mm. I bought 4 of the 7mm speedbleeders (last year, when the car was fairly new to me, before I even knew it had the S calipers) and when I finally went to install them last week, they slid right into the opening.

Eldorado · 05-27-2006, 09:23 PM

i know canadian tire sells pressure bleeders.. saw one at the parts counter the other day while i was getting my battery tested..

djpateman · 05-28-2006, 06:33 AM

The S calipers are pretty nice to bleed since both sides have to be done separately; bleed inside, then outside.

The rears are like the 914 calipers in that they have top and bottom bleeds typically. I always open both and drain the caliper first, then close the bottom and refill, then bleed. My reasoning is this: The brake line goes in behind the inner piston, and the bleeders are on the same side ; basically three holes all lined up. When fresh fluid comes in it generally mixes a little bit with the old fluid in the back of the inner piston, and the mixture exits out the bleed nipple. Depending on the velocity of the incoming fluid (a jet) the inner parts of the inner piston may or may not get fully flushed. Nowhere have I mentioned the outer piston simply because it is not in the loop. The only way to flush the outer piston is to drain it first. That is why almost all the calipers I rebuild have more crud in the outer piston than the inner.

I'm just finishing up a lot of ten calipers, then I'll only have 30 to go.