[Tom]

I used this in 4x4 tech, and thought these are some good brake bleeding tips

There is the vacuum pump brake bleeder. It is a small hand pump that you pump a vacuum with, then you open the brake bleeder valve and it is supposed to pull the fluid from the master cylinder out through the pump to remove any air in the system.

The second are brake bleeders that replace the wheel cylinder bleeder valve with one that is a check valve. When you open them up you just have to push on the brake pedal, the check valve allows the fluid and air to be forced out but when you let up on the brake pedal the check valve then closes so no air gets back in the cylinders. An easy way to bleed brakes

The last is a system I have used where you take a small squeeze bottle with a small tapered snout. Put a plastic tube on the snout and fill the bottle with brake fluid force out the air then push the tube on to the brake bleeder port, open it and force the fluid that is in the cylinder and brake lines back up through the master cylinder. That will force the air back out through the master cylinder.

All of these systems can be used to refreash the brake fluid as well as bleed the system.

[Tom]

Forgot to add that all three of the above procedures, make it possible for one person to bleed the brakes.

[Jim B]

Tom,

I use your #2 description, I think they are called Solo Bleed. Not sure but I think I purchased them at JC Whitney.

Hey did you or anyone else here ever try the gravity bleed? Heard that works well and it's pretty simple.

[JeepinIan]

I use gravity bleeding all the time. It takes a little longer, but it works well. One thing to remember is to keep the master cylinder full or you have to start over.

[Tom]

I have not tried gravity bleeding, I am usually in a hurry.

The bleed ports with the check valve, (solo bleed) came with the Warn full floater kit. They make bleeding brakes so easy, I wonder why we do not see them more often?

[TJRon]

Good ideas!
When I have to do it by myself (usually), I stick one end of a piece of clear plastic tubing over the bleeder valve and the other end into a plastic container so it's submerged in a little brake fluid on the bottom. I reach in and apply the brakes while I look uner the Jeep and watch the fluid go through the tube. The first time clears the air from the tube and then you can watch the air leave the brake system. the fluid in the bottom of the container stops any air from returning to the system. I now flush the whole brake system more often because it's so easy. Keep an eye on that master cylinder!

[Rollbar]

JeepinIan, on Nov 6 2003, 07:51 AM, said:

I use gravity bleeding all the time. It takes a little longer, but it works well. One thing to remember is to keep the master cylinder full or you have to start over.

Ian, I've never done it so what do you do open up all of your bleeders & keep the MC full & that's it.

How long do you wait or do you just cycle a couple of time through the MC refill.

Thanks,
RollBar

[Jim B]

Rollbar,

I've watched someone do this once and it worked out pretty good. There might be other ways but the way he did it was one at a time, just like you normally would in the same order. The valve is not open all the way, just enough, leave it overnight to drip into small container.

Make sure you have plenty of fluid in your reservoir, you are not going to run out.

[281 QuadCam]

i think ill try to follow jim and get the brake bleeder valves... they work good for ya? i just got new wheel cylinders on my DD - and im afraid i was a bit lonely that day, subsequently im sure i have a decent amount of air in my system.

EDIT : seems like im always doin something meant for two people - by myself... :sneak:

[Rollbar]

Thanks Jim,

[Jim B]

281 QuadCam, on Mar 29 2004, 08:33 PM, said:

i think ill try to follow jim and get the brake bleeder valves... they work good for ya?

Yes they work real good as Tom can also attest too.

Even though you can do this by yourself I use a few mixtures of ideas listed here. For example, I use TJRon's idea of a plastic tube into a small container (you can pick this up cheap at the auto parts).

If my wife is around I'll still be under the vehicle watching the plastic tube and tell her to stop once I see that there is no more air. If she is not around, I'm on my own, can't be as nosey getting in and out of the Jeep more often.

[Rollbar]

I have to replace Peaches MC tomorrow & this time I'm gonna use the hand vacuum pump & see how it works. I'll let U know.

Rollbar

[Jim B]

Rollbar, on Nov 23 2006, 09:52 PM, said:

I'm gonna use the hand vacuum pump & see how it works. I'll let U know.

I expect no less than detail pictures, instructions, brief and to the point write up. Oh, and how much of a mess if any.

[Rollbar]

Jim B, on Nov 24 2006, 12:40 PM, said:

Rollbar, on Nov 23 2006, 09:52 PM, said:

I'm gonna use the hand vacuum pump & see how it works.  I'll let U know.

I expect no less than detail pictures, instructions, brief and to the point write up. Oh, and how much of a mess if any.

Well o.k. I'll try to remember, so U want a uninstall & a reinstall, it might cost U :sneak: , oh, but I still owe U anyway,

[Rollbar]

Well we did the MC install & the new one went in perfect except for the rod was a hair shorter which is no big deal except it kept the brake light on untill we could adjust the switch. The switch is a nightmare to get to if U have A/C (that doesn't work, bad hose) on a CJ. The switch had to be pushed forward so the brake arm could push against the switch all the way to turn it off. We found that taking the steering column plastic cover off helped us to see the switch & put a screw driver on it to push it forward. It lacked a 1/16" from turning off but we had just enough left on the switch for movement.

Next we bled the brakes w/a hand vacuum pump which worked great on the front (pumped it down to 24") & took no time but the back was sucking some air off the bleeders so we used a bottle and it worked well. We ran two complete large bottles of fluid through the system for a complete flush. Cleaned up and completed the job.

Later I took the old MC back to get a refund on my core & bought Peach some new wires, cap and rotor, gunked the engine & now she's running fine. Oil change next Friday B-4 the trip down to the show.

Signed,
RollBar
Official Jeep Tech. :sneak:

P.S. Thanks to Travis (Treasure Coast Jeep Club) for the help with the project.

[Jim B]

How much for the vacuum pump and would you spend money on it again instead of purchasing the automatic bleeder adaptors

Btw, I want to see a picture of the pump hooked up and a short video clip while it's working.

[Rollbar]

The vacuum pump worked awesome. It leaked on the back brakes cause I changed out the brake cylinders about a year ago so the bleeders are just a hair small for the vacuum tube. The front worked excellent, I hooked up the pump squeezed it three times to get a vacuum (-24") & cracked the bleeder and watched the air come out. The brakes are better than they had ever been on any Jeep I have owned w/manual brakes (which I prefer).

As for the video clip, I can bring the pump w/me to the show & U take the video :sneak: cause that's just a little over my head. Remember, I only take pictures when the lighter is full.

I would use the vacuum over anything else. Plus it sucked out some crud and dirt.

Rollbar

P.S. I can lock some wheels up w/33"tires.

[Fuzz]

Where can I get one of the pumps...I dont think mine have ever been done, I flush wouldnt hurt...

[Rollbar]

Fuzz, on Nov 30 2006, 12:05 PM, said:

Where can I get one of the pumps...I dont think mine have ever been done, I flush wouldnt hurt...

Try NAPA or 4WDH, remember hand vacuum pump.

[Rollbar]

Here is the picture of what U R looking for.



The Hand Vacuum Pump kit is designed for easy use by do-it-your-selfers on any type of vehicle. It includes everything necessary for automotive tune-ups, diagnotic tests, liquid siphoning and one-person brake bleeding. The Hand Vacuum Pump is made of durable PVC which is resistant to all types of fluids and is easily maintained by the user. The center facing guage provides clear and easy viewing for left and right hand users.

[Fuzz]

great...thanks...