TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:04 am

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

when you use one of these do you just wait till its a constant stream of brake fluid?

I've never used one and im looking for some insight any help would be much appreciated thanks.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:12 am

You will be sucking gallons of brake fluid through a VW system waiting for it to be free of bubbles when you try to use a "suction" set up like that.

Pressure bleeding or gravity will get you better results.

You can use that set up to do some initial bleeding and get the system good and "wet" and finish by the pedal pump method and save some time though.

Just don't expect a "mity vac" type deal to suck all the air out of the system.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:22 am

I have the Harbor Freight vacuum brake bleeder. Works ok on every car/truck I own except the VW. I could not get it to bleed properly. If you look at the shop manual, it says to pressure bleed (pressure bleeders cost $50 +). The alternate method is to pump the pedal (2 people required; pretty time consuming). Here's what I installed on my buggy:

http://www.speedbleeder.com/

Works great with either pressure or pedal pumping (which is now a 1 person job). I'm too cheap to buy a pressure bleeder, so I made one for less than $20 (it also automatically fills the reservoir to the correct level).
You will need to get a spare reservoir cap to go with the pressure bleeder. Pull the inner piece out of the cap.

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/pressure-bleeder/bleeder.shtml

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:10 am

I gave up on the vacuum the first time I ever used one.
Reason?
The pistons in the wheel cyl's seal in only one direction "Pressure". If you use the vacuum method it will draw air through the pistons and you will never get a proper bleed.

I use one of these..

http://store.motiveproducts.com/shared/StoreFront/...=982856392

I don't know if they have adapters that fit old VW's. I use one for my Ford trucks.

Jim

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:16 am

This is the one I have, works well, but so does gravity bleeding.

http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1184

Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:42 am

another vote for gravity bleeding here.... that's how I've done it for many years.... It's been hard to convince vw people that gravity bleeding is good... seems since it's cheap and easy, they'd be more receptive to it! :lol:

it is kind of nice to see a thread where others are mentioning it also...

Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:36 pm

i actually did it today.
-one man bleeder kit from harbor freight for 3.99
-20 minutes
- and one friend.

doesnt get any easier, or cheaper.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:48 pm

neat thing about gravity bleeding is that it works on all kinds of vehicles...its the only way to bleed early CAT wheel loaders...it makes it easy cause you can work alone...no yelling at the wife or kiddies to pump and hold...