Cool Tools, Part 2
Bleeding Brakes with Speed Bleeders

The “normal” way to bleed brakes requires two people, one person to pump the brake pedal and the second to open and close the bleeder screw. And if you don’t coordinate the opening and closing of the bleeder screw, you can end up with more air in the system than when you started.

Alternatively, brake bleeding can be done by one person in these ways:

• Pressure bleeder. This attaches to your master cylinder (MC) fluid reservoir and pressurizes the system. Each bleed screw is then opened in sequence to purge air. This method works well, but a commercial pressure bleeder costs about $300. (A poor man’s version of this involves an inflated balloon over the MC reservoir fill opening.)
• Hand operated vacuum pump. Attach to a bleeder screw, pump to create a vacuum, and open the bleed screw. The device sucks air and fluid from the master cylinder. If not used correctly, it too can let air into your brake system. It costs from $30 to $100.
• Tubafor. Depress the brake pedal and then wedge the tubafor between the pedal and seat. A bleed screw is then opened to purge air. This low tech method is not recommended.
• Speed Bleeder. Speed Bleeders are patented bleeder screws with built-in check valves that replace your existing bleed screws. Once installed, Speed Bleeders becomes a permanent part of the brake system. When you need to bleed your brakes, the thread sealing system makes it easy to open the bleeder screw to perform the bleeding operation.

Bleeding Brakes with Speed Bleeders

Clean the area around the old bleeder screw to exclude dirt and contaminates from entering the brake system. Replace all of the existing bleeder screws with Speed Bleeders. Tighten the Speed Bleeders into the calipers until they seat. To bleed, unscrew a Speed Bleeder 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Then pump the brake pedal four or five times. It’s not necessary to close the bleeder screw between pumps, because a check valve lets air and fluid out and prevents air from entering the system between pumps. (an adequate level of brake fluid must be maintained in the master cylinder reservoir.) When bubble-free fluid comes out of the bleed screw, close Speed Bleeder until it seats. Proceed to the next caliper until all are bled. That’s all there is to it.

Speed Bleeders can be ordered from their website:

www.speedbleeder.com

Or via post:

Speed Bleeder Products,

PO Box 306

Lemont, Illinois 60439

Voice: (630) 739 4620 Fax: (630) 739 9626

Each Speed Bleeder costs $6.50 each. You must specify quantity, size and thread pitch when ordering. For example, for my Milano I ordered two 10mm x 1.0 and four 7mm x 1.0 Speed Bleeders.