DIY Brake bleeding

[Chakka71]

I'm getting ready to start the DE season(whoooohoo!) and need to bleed my brakes. Last service was in Aug. using ATE blue. 2 DE's and maybe 500miles of street driving since. For tech I need to have them blead. I've been reading thru the different threads and it seems pretty straightforward to do. I used to do it on my motorcycles and that was a breeze. I notice different ways people do it. I'm just trying to determine what I need to do it and what is the torque value on the bleed valve. Seems like a pretty easy DIY job? Doesn't seem worth it to pay a shop to perform a simple procedure.

[HarryD]

I like using the Motive Bleeder.

I have used the two person and vacuum methods inhte past and feel the pressure method is better. Gravity bleeding is ok too but I do not like to wait.

[tonythetarga]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_bleed_brakes/mult_bleed_brakes.htm

Wonderful thing about this site..apart from the ability to search the archived threads, there is a nice selection of Tech Articles. The one I linked you to is in the brake section.
Pretty easy job and I also recommend the pressure bleeder to avoid damaging the master cylinder. Make sure you pinch off the overflow line on the side of the reservoir (if you have that type of reservoir) or you'll have fluid all over the floor.
Bleeders just need to be snug only.

[arbita1]

I second the Motive Bleeder.

It's a very simple procedure. Buy one and it'll pay for itself after it's first use.

[vytenis]

For DE you'll need flush not bleed

[RWebb]

garden sprayer for $10 + tubing for $1 + brake cap with hole and nipple = Motive Bleeder

if you want to save $$

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

The easiest way to fully flush, if you have ATE Blue in there, is to replace it with ATE Gold. That way, you'll be able to tell when the last of the old fluid is coming out and the new gold-colored fluid has replaced it. I also use the Motive bleeder, and I always used to forget to plug the vent line, until I attached the plug to the bleeder.

[Chakka71]

I appreciate the advice! Sorry, I mean't flush.

[jtfreels]

I made the pressure style bleeder. With it flushing the brakes is one of the easiest things I've done. Would have been even easier if I had done what Steve suggested, flushing with a different colored brake fluid.

Jay

[CMDR Perry]

Get the speed bleeders sold by our host. They work great, makes it a one man job and very fast. A superb product.

[efhughes3]

I too vote for the Speed Bleeders over the Motive any day. I used the Motive for about 4 years, and I've been on Speed Bleeders for the last 3. Much cleaner and simpler, IMO.

[Eagledriver]

I use a garden sprayer from Wal-mart. You just plug it onto the vent tube for the brake reservoir. Don't bleed more than a couple of oz. before refilling the reservoir so you don't put air into the lines.

-Andy

[Don Plumley]

I'm a big motive fan. I've never understood those that want to only flush with whatever is in the reservoir - if you are not very careful and let the level get too low you'll put air into the clutch or MC and then you have a real problem on your hands. Just dump a liter of fluid into the motive and flush until it is all gone. Could not be simpler and you are not always worrying about depressurizing, topping off the MC, pressurizing, etc. IMHO.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

I'm a big motive fan. I've never understood those that want to only flush with whatever is in the reservoir - if you are not very careful and let the level get too low you'll put air into the clutch or MC and then you have a real problem on your hands. Just dump a liter of fluid into the motive and flush until it is all gone. Could not be simpler and you are not always worrying about depressurizing, topping off the MC, pressurizing, etc. IMHO.

The problem iwith that is cleaning the BF out of the bleeder. That's what I hated about the Motive. IMO, it is a good way to contaminate new fluid.

If one does keep an eye on the M/C, the speed bleeders are quite slick. I bleed/flush at least 4 times a year, and have yet to suck any air into the system.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by RWebb

garden sprayer for $10 + tubing for $1 + brake cap with hole and nipple = Motive Bleeder

if you want to save $$

Better yet - scrap the $10 garden sprayer and connect tubing directly to your shop compressor set at 10 PSI.

[tomphot]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

I'm a big motive fan. I've never understood those that want to only flush with whatever is in the reservoir - if you are not very careful and let the level get too low you'll put air into the clutch or MC and then you have a real problem on your hands. Just dump a liter of fluid into the motive and flush until it is all gone. Could not be simpler and you are not always worrying about depressurizing, topping off the MC, pressurizing, etc. IMHO.

How do you clean your bleeder out when the job is done?

[NO LIFT]

If you use a Motive or similar pressure method, be sure to block the overflow tube...a golf tee work nicely.

Also, get out that double-jointed elbow and do the clutch slave cylinder too.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by tomphot

How do you clean your bleeder out when the job is done?

Drain hose, wipe it down with a those blue shop paper towels until it is dry. Store with the lid on. Every few years I might get compelled to clean it out with brake cleaner, but I use it 4x a year so there's always new fluid flushing it out.

[tonythetarga]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

Drain hose, wipe it down with a those blue shop paper towels until it is dry. Store with the lid on. Every few years I might get compelled to clean it out with brake cleaner, but I use it 4x a year so there's always new fluid flushing it out.

even though the instructions say to put fluid in the pressure bleeder, I keep mine dry and add to the reservoir. No clean up whatsoever and no need to worry about brake fluid absorbing water between flushes/bleeds.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by efhughes3

I too vote for the Speed Bleeders over the Motive any day.

Yup. The first thing I do to any of my cars is put speed bleeders on the first time I touch the brakes. They're so freaking easy, so freaking cheap, and they just WORK.