TheSamba.com :: View topic - Pneumatic Brake Bleeder at Harbor Freight for 20 bucks

Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:20 am

If you go out to Harbor Freight and look for brake bleeders, there is a pneumatic brake bleeder I've heard good things about and am ordering.

http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

It is 25.00. Use the coupon code 83634902 and it will be 19.99.

Thought I'd share this in case anyone was looking

Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:14 am

I use the Motive power bleeder that pushes fluid thru the MC reservoir. Your bleeder looks interesting... how do you hook it up?

Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:30 am

Maybe it is just me, but I have never had much luck with HF.

My take is that if the tool is broken or doesn't work when it is brand new, it won't get any better with age.

Buy the Motive bleeder. It actually works.

Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:34 am

Quote: I've heard good things about and am ordering
I didn't have much luck getting it to bleed a new MC. This model here did a much better job and didn't make all the noise the other makes because of the compressed air.
http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-69328.html

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:14 am

runamoc wrote: Quote: I've heard good things about and am ordering
I didn't have much luck getting it to bleed a new MC. This model here did a much better job and didn't make all the noise the other makes because of the compressed air.
http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-69328.html .....you must "bench bleed" any new master cylinders before you install one in the vehicle....then you use the bleeder device.

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:19 am

runamoc wrote: Quote: I've heard good things about and am ordering
I didn't have much luck getting it to bleed a new MC. This model here did a much better job and didn't make all the noise the other makes because of the compressed air.
http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-69328.html

I have one similar to that as well. Works pretty well and can also be used for other vacuum testing. I've used it to troubleshoot EGR problems on other cars.

Oh, and: :lol:

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Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:32 am

@fe203 -- hilarious! wish I knew where to find that in hard copy.

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:37 am

Well, once it arrives, I'll test it out, and maybe do a video review of it.

Most of the reviews I read said it will work just fine as long as you put some grease on the base of the zertec fitting.

We will see what we see. If it works, then it is 10% of the price of the oher brands.

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:38 am

i came across it last time i was there. Did not look like quality part
i sure could use a laser guided paint brush thou =P~

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:49 am

Steve22 wrote: @fe203 -- hilarious! wish I knew where to find that in hard copy.

I think it's from MAD magazine.

edit: Confirmed:
http://www.madmagazine.com/issues/mad-515

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:55 am

I've got some HF tools that have been very good for me:
1/2 inch bench drill press for $50 (10 years)
1/2 inch electric impact wrench for $50 (15 years)
pneumatic staple gun for $20 (needed for VW Convertible rear window frame stapling)

so don't overlook everything there....these are not for the person who uses them every day, but enough decent if you know what you are looking for

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:58 am

Bench bleed, bullshit!! I been using the same plastic mityvac for 25 yrs., never a problem. Bled off motorcycles, trucks, vws, anything with a hydraulic brake system.......just sayin"

Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:31 am

mschiffel wrote: runamoc wrote: Quote: I've heard good things about and am ordering
I didn't have much luck getting it to bleed a new MC. This model here did a much better job and didn't make all the noise the other makes because of the compressed air.
http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-69328.html .....you must "bench bleed" any new master cylinders before you install one in the vehicle....then you use the bleeder device.
Not with the one I linked. 8)

Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:50 pm

Getting back to brake bleeding devices, the important difference between the vacuum and pressure tools is that the vacuum tools pull the fluid from the bleeder nipple, while the pressure tools push the fluid through the reservoir, master cylinder, and out to the wheels.
The cautionary note that normally goes with the vacuum bleeders deals with the possibility of pulling air into the cylinder (or caliper) along the threads of the loosened bleeder nipple. Some people put a blob of grease on the threads to prevent air from being sucked in.
The pressure bleeders can be a mess when used as directed, and a brake fluid mess will make a mess of painted surfaces.
In my personal experience, the easiest and cleanest method is to use the Motive pressure bleeder, but only to push air. I top up the reservoir with brake fluid, but leave the motive bottle empty. The only caveat is to keep an eye on the fluid level in the reservoir, so it doesn't empty. This way, there's no clean-up, and more importantly, no possibility of fluid spills. In the motive bottle, 10 psi is plenty adequate for the job.
Good luck, Mondshine

Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:16 pm

I saw that particular tool when I purchased my manual vacuum bleeder. the tool uses compressed air to create a vacuum much like a paint spray gun works. my 72's brake reservoir wouldn't accept any of the attachments and the manual vacuum tool didn't work out either because I couldn't get a good seal at the bleeder. I screwed with it for 2 hours after replacing the rear wheel cylinders. my wife came home and we bled the damn thing in 20 minutes. harbor freight tools are crap. I also bought a wrench set that had a 7 mm box wrench for the bleeder that didn't grab well enough to tighten the bleeder screws. their tools look like what they are sold as, but I've found they underperform.

Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:47 am

[quote="mondshine"
The pressure bleeders can be a mess when used as directed, and a brake fluid mess will make a mess of painted surfaces.
In my personal experience, the easiest and cleanest method is to use the Motive pressure bleeder, but only to push air. I top up the reservoir with brake fluid, but leave the motive bottle empty. The only caveat is to keep an eye on the fluid level in the reservoir, so it doesn't empty. This way, there's no clean-up, and more importantly, no possibility of fluid spills. In the motive bottle, 10 psi is plenty adequate for the job.
Good luck, Mondshine[/quote]

I'm going to use my Motive as mondshine suggests from now on. Last time I used it one of the plastic hoses blew and I ended up with brake fluid all over the trunk. The hoses were several years old but looked good at the time. :x Replace those hoses every few years to prevent problems...

Fri Sep 28, 2012 5:48 am

Quote: I screwed with it for 2 hours after replacing the rear wheel cylinders. my wife came home and we bled the damn thing in 20 minutes.

I'd rather have no brakes, then to deal with my wife for 20 minutes. :evil:

I keep hearing that people had problems with the connectors, but why not just connect directly using the tube instead of the connector, or just make a connector that fits. I don't mind modifying a few things to save a few benjamins.

Fri Sep 28, 2012 6:06 am

jasonty wrote: If you go out to Harbor Freight and look for brake bleeders, there is a pneumatic brake bleeder I've heard good things about and am ordering.

http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

It is 25.00. Use the coupon code 83634902 and it will be 19.99.

Thought I'd share this in case anyone was looking

great tool
suck fittings
the rubber looks like its real rubber and comes already deteriorated.
the rubber is no good, i use my mityvac fittings, they are tops.
but the tool is great, (i use both)

yes , make your own fittings and hoses , yes....
the tool dont rust (corrode) like the mityvac alum type...