Anybody used the Speed Bleeder

#1

Has anyone tried the Speed Bleeders? Seem like a pretty easy way to bleed brakes single handly? Thoughts?

Keith

#2

Yep many times, and so has a few of my friends. It’s pretty popular. Most come with adaptor for Euro cars, standard fitting works on E30’s and audi for japanese autos, you need to get a special adaptor. Apex has a good deal on the whole kit. It’s was worth the money. Easy to use.

#3

I got a Bavarian Auto pressure bleeder for Christmas (thank you, Santa). The new design is much improved, including a special pressure release valve and a trick fitting on the cap so you don’t have to pre-twist the filler hose. Just install the cap and then snap the filler hose on the cap, with no twisting to worry about. Both are subtle changes, but big improvements.

Sasha

#4

Whole kit? Adapters?

The speed bleeders I have replace your standard bleeder screw with a bleeder with an integral spring loaded ball. Crack the bleeder loose, hook up a small tube and pump the brakes. Takes 15 min. to do the whole car with the wheels off.

I don’t see anything in the rules that make them Spec E30 legal.

-Scott

#5

double post

#6

quite confident nobody would care, and anything that makes it easier to bleed the brakes for safety is a good thing …
cheers,
bruce

#7

Sorry for the confusion, the Speed Bleeders, shown at: http://www.speedbleeder.com/ are what I was referencing. They replace the bleed valve in the caliper with a bleeder with a one-way valve. They claim you simply, open the bleeder 1/2 turn and then go pump the brake, out goes the air and fluid and when you let off, the one way valve closes to prevent air from returning…

Seemed pretty cool.

keith

#8

They works as advertised. I have them on 3 out of 4 vehicles.

-Scott

#9

I have them on mine. They are very convenient when no one else is around to help you bleed the brakes. I believe the bleed screws qualify as "hardware" and since hardware is free per the rules, then speed bleeders should be legal.

#10

Mity Vac also works well for one man bleeding.

#11

30SpecE30 wrote:

The only issue that I’ve heard of with Mity Vac or the speed bleeders is air getting back into the caliper by way of the threads. I have had a Motive Power Bleeder for the past 8 years and have used it 100% of the time. Great for doing the work yourself. Last year, I "treated" myself to an upgraded machined aluminum rotating cap to eliminate having to pre-twist the darn hose every time you attach it to the master cylinder.

BTW - I NEVER put brake fluid in the Power Bleeder, I just use it as a pressure device. Brake Fluid is "endoscopic" and absorbs moisture. When I first got it, I would keep fluid it in, but once I saw condensation in the tank, that was the end of using it that way.

I am looking at rigging up the setup that my buddy has using a variable pressure valve ($20 at Harbor Freight). He simply attaches it to his air tank and it eliminates the need to pump the tank and also takes up a lot less space.

#12

if you don’t put brake fluid in the pressure bleeder, how do you do a full bleed and make sure you don’t drain the reservoir? I imagine you stop and add fluid to the reservoir part way through. You can do the same thing by just putting a partial can of fluid in the bleeder. And, at <$10 for a can of Superblue, probably better to consider it a consumable for this brake change.
Brake fluid is hydroscopic, btw.
cheers,
bruce

#13

I don’t run speed-bleeders, but if someone was to file a protest because of speed bleeders, they would be tarred, feathered, and forced to drive a porch.
-Vic

#14

leggwork wrote:

[quote]if you don’t put brake fluid in the pressure bleeder, how do you do a full bleed and make sure you don’t drain the reservoir? I imagine you stop and add fluid to the reservoir part way through. You can do the same thing by just putting a partial can of fluid in the bleeder. And, at <$10 for a can of Superblue, probably better to consider it a consumable for this brake change.
Brake fluid is hydroscopic, btw.
cheers,
bruce[/quote]

you’re right - endoscopic is a medical term I think :ohmy:

When I am going to to a complete flush, I suck all of the fluid out of the master cylinder with the MityVac and then re-fill it to the brim and start at the rear and bleed until the MC is 3/4 empty. Then re-fill and do the same at the front. However, I only do this once/season before the first event. From there on, I bleed my brakes every weekend at the track. This results in the fluid being flushed through about every 2-3 race weekends.

#15

Yeah the leaky bleeder can be an issue. I find a dab of grease on the outside of the threads/brake caliper area solves it.

Aside from this I think it is a great way to bleed brakes.

#16

We have them on both race cars and IMO I wouldn’t leave for the track without them. They are great and fairly priced.

#17

I don’t see Spec E30 officials checking caliper bleeders any time soon.

Carter

#18

I have a Mityvac, and since getting the speed bleeder, it remains in its nice gray plastic case. So easy to use - just don’t tighten them down too much. And, yes endoscopic is a medical term and brake fluid is hygroscopic not hydroscopic (sorry Bruce :slight_smile: )
Ed