Which is easier, Speed Bleeders or vacuum extractor?

[RyanD]

I'm looking for an easy way to bleed my brakes by myself. I came across this vacuum bleeder at Griots.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=85700
It costs about the same as 4 SS Speed Bleeders.

It seems to me the problem with the Speed Bleeders is that you can't see the fluid as it is coming out (since you have to pump the brakes). With the vacuum bleeder, you would be watching the fluid.

Any thoughts?

[PerforminNorman]

Speed bleeders are awesome.

[PaulS]

I have the 4 SS speedbleeders and I'm still considering the Griot's garage fluid extractor. Then you could use it with other cars. Don't get the gizmo that pressurizes your fluid resevior (sp??) to force the fluid out it doesn't work well at all, I still have it and will never use it....

[No Nails]

I have an older (slightly smaller) version of the vacuum system. For me that is the way to go (stressing that you wanted to do the bleed by yourself). You are right there to see the fluid as it comes out. This allows you to know exactly when the new fluid has made its way to that caliper. Also it allows you do more work under the car -- none of this go down hook up the hose, go up pump the brakes, go down... you get the idea. Just my opinion.

[chrisj]

So, the Griot's site says this is the easiest way to bleed brakes yourslef if you don't have an air compressor.

So, if you have an air compressor, what is the easiest way to bleed brakes yourself?

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by chrisj

So, if you have an air compressor, what is the easiest way to bleed brakes yourself?

This:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=35701

[XFordGuy]

Originally Posted by RyanD

It seems to me the problem with the Speed Bleeders is that you can't see the fluid as it is coming out (since you have to pump the brakes). With the vacuum bleeder, you would be watching the fluid.

Any thoughts?

Brake fluid is cheap, waste a little when flushing.

Despite having an air compressor, I use Speedbleeders. Maybe it is just me, but I like that the fluid pumps in the way intended instead of being "sucked" out.

I have a Mityvac that I bought for bleeding a couple cars ago. Fortunately, it is a good pressure and vacuum tester too

[RyanD]

I decided to order the vacuum bleeder. I'll let you know how well it works.

[DJWorm]

I do not recommend either a pressure bleeder or vacume system unless it is a professional closed loop system.

Pressure systems can actually dissolve air into the fluid and creates micro air at the fluid surface.

Vacume systems cause cavitation and will pull dissolved air out of solution and will leave it in the system, especially trapped in the solenoids.

I recommend installing Speedbleeders and using a catch bottle from either Pegasus or Mallett. This is easy simple and fool proof. You can do it yourself and will soon see the 3 pumps will clear a caliper. You can check the last "pump" by looking at the fluid in the evacuation line going to the catch bottle. If it is clear and bubble free you are done.

With an assistant you can do it even faster and tap the calipers with a rubber mallet during the bleed.

[Resist]

What about this gravity bleeding system?