Speed Bleeders - long term reliability

[amram]

Hi All, trying to determine if there's a consensus around long term reliability of Speed Bleeders. Heard some people having issues with them, researched and found mixed opinions (as usual I guess), some people said issues, some said they used for years and no problems.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=143192
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...-bleeders.html

A few people who had negative views said all was good in the beginning, but then leaks, etc started after a few years, so am specifically looking for opinions after long-term use, about 2 or 2+ years

Also heard on one thread (the corvette one) that it's recommended to remove the bleeders and use a sealant to reseal them every year. If you do that please note that too, or any other caveats or details around your recommendations.

Thanks!

[tobin]

I had them on my Legacy for 5 years.

[suaveflooder]

Great thread! I have them in my hands, just waiting to install

[CB762]

I have had those on my Supra for many years. But I've used to rebuild calipers about every two years and at that time I did re-seal bleeders.
No any issues though.

[Model Citizen]

I have one of these. Its fantastic.

[KenTK808]

Whats wrong with the normal bleed valves again?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[rice_classic]

I've used almost everything and nothing works like speed bleeders. I bleed my brakes about 15-20 times a year or more depending on how many race weekends I do.


The Stainless Steel ones are worth the money if you ever have helpers who tend to over torque things.


These are "maintenance" items. What allows them to seal is the special sealant on the threads, after enough uses or time the bleeder needs to be removed, threads cleaned and new sealant applied and baked on (oven 100 degrees for 10 minutes). It's all on their website and inside the instruction manual.


For me it comes down to this: Do I bleed my brakes more than once a year? If yes then get the speed bleeders. If no, then nope.




p.s. I still use a second person to push on the pedal but now I just opening the valve, have them push the pedal about 3-5 times and tighten it up when they're on the downstroke and I always get the rock solid pedal I've come to love.

[speargunsandracecars]

I've had SS ones for my past vehicles and now my BRZ. They're wonderful, and you don't need another person to bleed your brakes. Never had a leak, or any issues with them. I bleed my brakes every 6 months or so. I haven't tried it with my BRZ, but with my past vehicles, I was able to bleed the brakes without having to remove the wheels or lifting the car. Makes it sooo much easier.

[Model Citizen]

Just flushed my brake system with the motive bleeder tonight, worked absolutely fantastically, again.

No need for replacing bleed valves or adding another failure/maintenance point, no need for an extra person, no need to get in the car with dirty hands/gloves, just make sure theres enough fluid in the reservoir, put on the cap, pump up some pressure and open the desired bleeder. Couldn't be any easier.

It also works for any car you have a proper reservoir cap adaptor for. Some instructions say to fill the bleeder unit with fluid, no need, just pressurize the reservoir and make sure it doesn't run dry.

[amram]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

Great thread! I have them in my hands, just waiting to install

same here, personally I have them in hand also and just trying to decide last min, go or no-go (and if no-go then go with the motive power bleeder etc.)

Originally Posted by rice_classic

The Stainless Steel ones are worth the money if you ever have helpers who tend to over torque things.

For me it comes down to this: Do I bleed my brakes more than once a year? If yes then get the speed bleeders. If no, then nope.

Thanks for the great info. Yes, I think the SS ones are probably worth it based on another experience here - http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...34#post1310934 Guy had issues with non-SS one first and then went SS and worked fine, and did 2 other people too.

Originally Posted by Model Citizen

Just flushed my brake system with the motive bleeder tonight, worked absolutely fantastically, again.

No need for replacing bleed valves or adding another failure/maintenance point....

Good point, agree on the adding another failure/maint point, I like keeping things KISS. As rice_classic said, it's probably a good idea only if you flush more than once a year, then it's worth the additional failure/maint component, else not.

Since I don't think I'll be bleeding more than once a year it's a call I'm going to have to make.

Thanks everyone for feedback!!

[fooddude]

I forget the name/brand...but doesn't someone make a bleeder catch bottle with a speed-bleeder type valve on the drain tubing? (the tube that connects to the caliper's drain nipple bolt).

This sounds a lot smarter and better than having car-specific speed-bleeders (I used to have speed bleeders on my old S13 10+ years ago). Especially since you don't need to change out anything on the car itself and also because you can use that speed bleeder drain bottle on ANY car and not just a car that has speed bleeders installed ...not to mention you still retain the oem factory reliable bleed bolts.

This also sounds better than the Motiv one too...much less complex, way more simple and more universal (ie: no need to get an exact master cylinder cap/cover per each specific vehicle)

[Model Citizen]

Originally Posted by fooddude

I forget the name/brand...but doesn't someone make a bleeder catch bottle with a speed-bleeder type valve on the drain tubing? (the tube that connects to the caliper's drain nipple bolt).

This sounds a lot smarter and better than having car-specific speed-bleeders (I used to have speed bleeders on my old S13 10+ years ago). Especially since you don't need to change out anything on the car itself and also because you can use that speed bleeder drain bottle on ANY car and not just a car that has speed bleeders installed ...not to mention you still retain the oem factory reliable bleed bolts.

This also sounds better than the Motiv one too...much less complex, way more simple and more universal (ie: no need to get an exact master cylinder cap/cover per each specific vehicle)

You mean like using a mityvac? There are any number of ways to skin this cat, not sure though how anything can be much less complex than putting a cap on the reservoir, pumping and opening the bleeder.

[fooddude]

No..not a mityvac. Just simply a plain bottle with a speed bleeder valve type thing in it (basically works just like the speed bleeders; but it's on the drain tube/bottle, instead of in the bleeder bolt itself). No pumps, no pressure, no vaccum..just a bottle with a valve.


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/show...e-simple-bleed

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...sp?RecID=10387


Pros over the Speed Bleeders: More inexpensive, No need to replace anything on-car, works on your other cars/sedans/trucks and also clutch, comes with and no need to buy additional little things like tubing & drain bottles (everything comes in one neat package), also has a spiffy magnet to keep it in place.


.

[Wepeel]

Originally Posted by fooddude

No..not a mityvac. Just simply a plain bottle with a speed bleeder valve type thing in it (basically works just like the speed bleeders; but it's on the drain tube/bottle, instead of in the bleeder bolt itself). No pumps, no pressure, no vaccum..just a bottle with a valve.


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/show...e-simple-bleed

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...sp?RecID=10387


Pros over the Speed Bleeders: More inexpensive, No need to replace anything on-car, works on your other cars/sedans/trucks and also clutch, comes with and no need to buy additional little things like tubing & drain bottles (everything comes in one neat package), also has a spiffy magnet to keep it in place.


.

These seem like a really good idea - moving the valve to the tube instead of the bleeder valve... wondering if anyone on here has any experience with them.