vacuum brake bleeders

[DTL]

Anybody had any success with vacuum brake bleeders? I've got a pressure "power bleeder" but I don't have an adapter for the master cylinder on the Mustang. I tried a Harbor Freight el-cheapo vacuum bleeder and it didn't do squat (only made about 5" of vacuum). Anybody know a non-circus-stunt, one-man, trick method of bleeding the brakes on these cars?

Thanks!

 

[SoundGuyDave]

Yes, and it's easy. I LIKE pushing the "easy button." Russel solo-bleeders are the simple, effective solution... This is essentially a standard bleeder screw with a spring-loaded ball-bearing check valve. Simply loosen the bleeder, slap a hose on it (draining into a suitable reservoir like a soda bottle), hop in the car, and cycle the pedal a half-dozen times. Close the bleeder, check the fluid level, and that one is done.

When closed, it's a standard bleeder screw, solid metal fitting into the tapered hole, so no difference. When open, the spring-loaded ball lifts when there's sufficient fluid pressure (like stepping on the pedal), then pops closed when you release, preventing air from being sucked back into the caliper.

Simple and effective.

 

[DTL]

Thanks Dave,

I've seen those advertised, but never considered trying them. I guess they seemed like a gimmick to me. Not sure why. I'll give them another look.

Anybody know what thread size/pitch the factory brembo fronts and rears are on these cars??

 

[Napoleon85]

Yes, and it's easy. I LIKE pushing the "easy button." Russel solo-bleeders are the simple, effective solution... This is essentially a standard bleeder screw with a spring-loaded ball-bearing check valve. Simply loosen the bleeder, slap a hose on it (draining into a suitable reservoir like a soda bottle), hop in the car, and cycle the pedal a half-dozen times. Close the bleeder, check the fluid level, and that one is done.

When closed, it's a standard bleeder screw, solid metal fitting into the tapered hole, so no difference. When open, the spring-loaded ball lifts when there's sufficient fluid pressure (like stepping on the pedal), then pops closed when you release, preventing air from being sucked back into the caliper.

Simple and effective.

I just ordered something very similar to that from this site:
http://speedbleeder.com/

They sell some hose and "iv bag kits" to catch the fluid too for a pretty reasonable price (I had a hell of time tracking down anything appropriate locally).

 

[Apex50]

Agree on the speedbleeders- they should come on every car. No gimmicks, at all.

I had a Phoenix Brake Bleeder that worked well for a time, but when the seal failed I ended up pumping a bunch of air into the system, just not paying attention, long day at work, yada yada.

From here on out I'll install speedbleeders on all our cars.

 

[tomkay]

I have the MityVac and could not get it to work at first. Put some grease around the bleeder base and that sealed up the leak from the threads, worked great after that.

 

[CPRsm]

Never liked the pump stlye. You have to crack the bleed to get them to work (obviously), but when you do the vac pulls ait past the threads. So you can't really tell when the air is bled since tou always see bubbles in the clear tubing

 

[white05gt]

Never liked the pump stlye. You have to crack the bleed to get them to work (obviously), but when you do the vac pulls ait past the threads. So you can't really tell when the air is bled since tou always see bubbles in the clear tubing

I usually use a vacuum pump if I change out a caliper or brake line to get most of the air out, then I have someone pump the brakes while I crack the bleeder. That way I know I got all of the air out.

 

[CPRsm]

Yeah, or a gravity bleed. Still loke the old fashioned way by far

 

[Bill220]

I have a Mighty Vac and it's a POS. I bought it to change the fluid on my bike and could never get it to work correctly. I have a new Motive Power Bleeder that I bought specifically for my Mustang but haven't used it yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DTL]

I ordered a set of the "speedbleeders" so we'll see how that works out. I've got a Motive pressure bleeder, but I got a little down on it after I used it on my off-road truck and it blew the seal between the brake master and the power steering in the hydroboost. Basically filled my power steering tank with brake fluid. That sucked.

 

[JAJ]

I ordered a set of the "speedbleeders" so we'll see how that works out. I've got a Motive pressure bleeder, but I got a little down on it after I used it on my off-road truck and it blew the seal between the brake master and the power steering in the hydroboost. Basically filled my power steering tank with brake fluid. That sucked.

Don't you just hate it when that happens? One fine afternoon, the plastic hose that connects the pressure bleeder container to the cap on the master cylinder separated at the top of the bleeder container. The container had about a quart of fluid in it and there was a fountain of brake fluid right to the ceiling. I got soaked trying to contain it. What a mess. I switched to Russell speed bleeders after that and it's so much tidier.

 

[warpig12354]

Nvm

 

[Bullitt 3309]

I ran the speed bleeders on all four corners of my 2001 Bullitt. Did the whole brake system by myself no issues.