Got a HF circular in the mail last weekend and I think this was in it on sale for something like $5-$7.  Anybody ever tried it??  I'm going by there to see if they have any on hand.  If it just works one time then its gotta be worth it.

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

I'll report back after I change out all of my fluid and let you know how it worked.  Never done a fluid change or even a bleeding, so I might not know if the unit is worth a damn or if it is just me!


They apparently also sell the MightyVac.  Maybe it will be on sale too (although not for $7, I'm betting).

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38053

an easier way is to gravity bleed them jut opne the MC top and open the bleeder tube and walk away. come back when they are empty add new fluid and bleed them. no need to use air to bleed them or stand by your tire until its done. productivity is the key

And then the next time you ride, there'll be brake fluid all over your pads and rotor.  That'll certainly make things fun when you try to stop.

Not to mention, I might might want/need to bleed the lines every so often.  I would think it would be worth it just for that. 

the little $5 one man bleeding kit is what most mechanics I know use.

Quote from: mach1 on May 23, 2008, 12:25:12 PM
an easier way is to gravity bleed them jut opne the MC top and open the bleeder tube and walk away. come back when they are empty add new fluid and bleed them. no need to use air to bleed them or stand by your tire until its done. productivity is the key

If productivity is the key, then why not use a tool that increases productivity? 

Quote from: spcterry on May 23, 2008, 12:44:52 PM
And then the next time you ride, there'll be brake fluid all over your pads and rotor.  That'll certainly make things fun when you try to stop.

.
Use a clear hose to put on the bleeder and dain inot a container .

Quote from: mach1 on May 23, 2008, 05:00:04 PM
dain inot

Ya know there's an immigration reform bill out there that would make fluency in English a requirement for citizenship.  Maybe the bills horizons should be expanded.

Maybe you want speed bleeders instead ? Some people like em, some people don't.

I'll watch the thread and see if you like the HF thing.

Good luck

My bleed set up is a 20 ounce dry water bottle and a piece of vacuum hose.Fill the bottle with brake fluid,enough to cover the end of the hose.Start pumping the levers.

That 33.99 tool I have used - good. Now that $18.99 tool is some how metal body but more tacky looking ... prolly is close  ... they all prolly work fine.
Cool.
Buddha.

I have a little kragen unit like that for the cars and it never failed me so far.

Quote from: spcterry on May 23, 2008, 05:16:58 PM

Quote from: mach1 on May 23, 2008, 05:00:04 PM
dain inot

Ya know there's an immigration reform bill out there that would make fluency in English a requirement for citizenship.  Maybe the bills horizons should be expanded.

lol terry that wont ever happen. ( too many liberals) [/sarcasm]

Quote from: Jon The Buddha on May 23, 2008, 10:51:32 AM
Got a HF circular in the mail last weekend and I think this was in it on sale for something like $5-$7.  Anybody ever tried it??

I have that one; got it from NAPA a few years ago.  It works pretty well; however, the magnet that was built into it popped right out the first time I used it, so I usually just set it on something next to the bike/car.  Also, the reservoir is a bit small for a car: I have to empty the reservoir at least three times per rear brake while bleeding.  I keep a bowl nearby, and unscrew the reservoir and dump (it drips while dumping, so do it over a bowl).

Also, the hoses they provide don't fit easily over the the brake nipples without a fair bit of work.  In winter, I had to soften the hose with a hair dryer to get it over the brake nipples on the car.

Thanks for the info, Rema.  That's good stuff to know.

I must have got ahold of some bad meth that day, because when I went to HF it turns out the unit was $18.99.  Plus, they were out of them.  I did find a MightyVac at O'reily Auto Parts for $35, so I'm thinking of just going by and picking that up instead.

And I was kidding about the meth.  It was actually crack.   Oh, alright...I was kidding about that too.  Stay off the smack, kids! 

Heh heh heh.... I was on my way back to O'reily Auto Parts to buy the MightyVac and decided to pop in to an Advanced Auto Parts store which was right across the street.  Told the guy in there what I was looking for and he says, "We have one kinda like that.  In fact, we have a loaner as well."

So I borrowed this from them....




They just charge the purchase price, and when you return it, they give you all your money back.  SWEET!!!!

I know several auto parts stores like Autozone loan tools, but it didn't dawn on me that any of them would have one of these.  Now if I can just figure out how to use the damn thing to replace all my brake fluids!

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on May 24, 2008, 02:50:23 AM
lol terry that wont ever happen. ( too many liberals) [/sarcasm]

Don't be such a pessimist, Obama actually supports this action.

Ok...I couldn't get the hand pump to create a vacuum.  Even went to the lowes to get some new tubing since the ones that came with it were pretty big.  No help.  The o-ring that was on the front of the pump was a bit loose, so I think it must have been letting some air in to the hand pump

.I ended up just doing it by the old-fashioned sqeeze brake/loosen bleeder/close bleeder/ repeat.  You know what...that works great!  Of course it was the rear brakes, so I was on the same level as the brake pedal and the calipers.  I imagine it is a bit more combersome doing the fronts.

So this thread is officially done.  I started a new thread called 'Just replaced my rear brakes' (or something simular) where I pick up with a couple of questions.  Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.  I appreciate it! 

gravity bleeding is the same as pumping the pedal in a shop you would need two people one inside the car the other under the car or you ould just lift the car open the MC top and open the bleeders, same goes for a bike, open the MC and open the bleeder use a clear tube to catch the fluid and walk away the 14psi of AP will do the rest.