Topic: Pix of My Cheapo $12 Vacuum Brake Bleeder

[elquenada]

I am a cheapskate and I love making stuff so I whipped this up before installing my new brake lines tomorrow.

I used a brass 1/4 barb fitting, a brass coupler and a rubber gromet (roughly $5) to make a tightly sealed port for my brake fluid to run into.  In order to provide sucking power I got a "wine saver" from the super market for about six bucks.  Since the wine saver is a little small for the soda bottle opening I fattened up the top of the bottle with some electrical tape toi get a tighter seal.

So far Ive only test it with water but it seems like it will do a fine job. 

[wannabridin]

nice tool!!  i got my brake bleeder at harbor freight for about $15 or so with a coupon, and there's a lot of attachments with it.  so just in case others don't wanna make it or can't get a vacuum device...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92474

with a 20% off coupon, you're only looking at $16, so just food for thought.  good thinking though with yours!  hope the bottle doesn't collapse with too much vacuum...

[markb]

nice tool!!  i got my brake bleeder at harbor freight for about $15 or so with a coupon, and there's a lot of attachments with it.  so just in case others don't wanna make it or can't get a vacuum device...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92474

with a 20% off coupon, you're only looking at $16, so just food for thought.  good thinking though with yours!  hope the bottle doesn't collapse with too much vacuum...

Great ideas.  So I went to check the $16 one and found this one too, for $4.99!  A lot like the original post.  I might have to try this one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37201

[wannabridin]

the vac does make it much easier!!!  and an enlarge master cylinder fluid bottle would make it even EASIER!!!


but to explain how it works real quick...

1. you hook up the vac handle to a container, then to your bleeder nut on your caliper.

2. take off the master cylinder reservoir cover and fill with fluid.

3. pump up the handle on the bleeder and crack open the bleeder. 

4. watch for bubbles and the amount of vacuum on the gauge.

5. close bleeder nut and pump up brake handle (not always necessary, but i like to do this to help ensure a good flush)

6. top off master cylinder reservoir if necessary.

repeat steps  3-6 until you have nice clear bubble-less fluid coming out of the bleeder nut.  be sure not to allow any air into the system while the bleeder is open.  otherwise you have to start over 

i hope this helps!!!

oh ya, if you have 2 calipers, then repeat this step for each caliper