I was looking at a vacuum pump to change the brake fluid in my truck. I ran across this video that shows how to do it with just a hose and a pop bottle. Is this actually possible? When you let up on the brake, what keeps it from sucking dirty fluid back through the hose instead of through the brake line? I watched a similar video where he set the bottle on top of the axle. That would make it even easier to suck dirty fluid back in. I'm no mechanic but I've always been taught that you need 2 people if you don't use a vacuum pump.
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A cinder block leaned on the brake peddle also works, but it's pretty slow. I might try this at the next brake project.
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I've bled brakes many times in the past by myself using a hand held vacuum pump attached to a bleeder valve. The last time I tried this method it didn't work because air was leaking around the bleeder valve threads even though I used grease that was supposed to seal the threads. I finally gave up and used the gravity method to bleed the brakes. You just put a transparent plastic line on the bleeder valve, run it to a clear cup, loosen the valve and let the fluid drain. When the fluid is clean and free of bubbles tighten the bleeder valve. Just remember to keep the master cylinder full of brake fluid.
I think the Harbor Freight bottle bleeder is like $5 - just a smaller version of the pop bottle above. I never had any luck with it though and ended up buying the vacuum pump. I've used it enough on various things that I've got my money out of it.
have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings
Swinging wrenches on vehicles sucks.... But it needs ta be done...... I would rather cut grass.... That's how much wrenching on vehicles sucks to me....
I've bled brakes many times in the past by myself using a hand held vacuum pump attached to a bleeder valve. The last time I tried this method it didn't work because air was leaking around the bleeder valve threads even though I used grease that was supposed to seal the threads. I finally gave up and used the gravity method to bleed the brakes. You just put a transparent plastic line on the bleeder valve, run it to a clear cup, loosen the valve and let the fluid drain. When the fluid is clean and free of bubbles tighten the bleeder valve. Just remember to keep the master cylinder full of brake fluid.
This is the way I do it. Especially with antilock brakes. Crack all 4 and let them bleed. Keep the master cylinder full, and done.
Clyde
The liberal mind is an endless black hole of stupidity.