Speed Bleeders - dumb question

ozz · ozz's Garage

I've had my front (S) calipers off while doing other suspension work as well as for clean up, backing plate replacement, etc. While cleaning them I noticed that the bleeder screws are not original - they were way too clean and broke loose with very little hassle. I had planned to add Speed Bleeders but, before I spend my $40, how can I tell for sure that these that are in there are not speed bleeders? I'm working alone so I can't really try to bleed and see if fluid in a catch container gets sucked back in when I let off the peddle (telling me that they were not speed bleeders). I presume you can't see the tiny check ball in the Speed Bleeders so, is there any visible external difference from the OEM bleeder screw that would give it away???

It may be only $40 to just buy the Speed Bleeders but hey, $40 would keep the garage fridge stocked for week or two!!

jpnovak · 02-18-2005, 11:04 AM

put a tube on the end and open the valve. If nothing comes out they may be speed bleeders. If fluid comes out you will be gravity bleeding the system (my personal favorite method). Just make sure to tilt the hose up so that a backup of fluid covers the bleeder valve and retighten.

NO air in, question answered, problem solved.

ozz · ozz's Garage

Jamie,

Good idea but my understanding of speed bleeders is they have a spring loaded checkball that opens under pressure and closes when pressure was let off. If that's true, gravity may not be enough to open the ball and gravity feed the fluid out. Not sure, I have no experience with speed bleeders.

jpnovak · 02-18-2005, 11:13 AM

Exactly, If no fluid comes out you have speed bleeders (or a clogged regular one). If fluid comes out you have regular bleeders and have not introduced air to the system. This is a test to ID what you have without pulling them totally off the caliper.

ozz · ozz's Garage

Yup, you're right ----- Not likely that these will be clogged so, your test is a good one. I missed the obvious on this one.

thanks again....

H20911 · 02-18-2005, 11:38 AM

I thinks that you already have it with the no fluid flow and I don't know if these will help but

look for the big black caps too.

ozz · ozz's Garage

H20911 - thanks for the pics.

I think Jamie's test will tell the tale but in looking at the pics, it looks like the hex portion of the bleeder is smaller than OEM. Might be just the packaging or picture playing with the optics but, they look smalller than 10mm to me. I'll hook a hose up tonight and open one up and see.

jpnovak · 02-18-2005, 12:07 PM

Yes, they are smaller. 8mm If I remember. I have a set on my targa.

H20911 · 02-18-2005, 12:20 PM

From the back of the packs

SB7100 (M7 X 1.0)
SB8125 (M8 X 1.25)

Seems the part numbers = the sizes just take off the SB and you will see the pattern.
These were bought for a 77 911s and not used yet.

ozz · ozz's Garage

well, mine are likely new OEM then since they are 10mm... damn, thougth I was going to just refill the fridge with that $40

safe · safe's Garage

I just installed speedbleeders on my car and they are wonderfull!!!

logician · 02-20-2005, 12:49 PM

I started to install speed bleeders on my 911s a few years ago. Then I read all the caveats.

A big problem is that the bleeders can leak air between the threads while you are using them. That's why they have that red stuff on the threads. The manufacturer says to repaint the sealer on the bleeders periodically, and sells the sealer separately. The problem with resealing is that requires removing the bleeders, which introduces air into the caliper, not to mention it is messy. I was also concerned that air might get past the threads, even with fresh sealer on the threads.

In the end, I decided against installing the speed bleeders, rather than risk the possibility of introducing air into the system. The additional work and mess involved in maintaining the sealer was also a factor.

-Juan