ketel

Gang,

I am about to do my first brake service on my C4 and was curious about what one-person brake bleeder (say that ten times fast) is the one most recommended by rennlisters.

I've seen some positive stuff about the Mighty Mite one, but are there others and what is the consensus in the community?

Thanks.

ketel

Rocket Rob

I've had good luck with the Motiv Power Bleeder - The Black Label version. The Black Label adds a nice aluminum cap instead of a plastic one. They are available via many different suppliers. It makes bleeding the brakes and clutch a breeze.

http://store.nexternal.com/shared/St...unt2=902289986

No affiliations.

AB-Oz

+1 on the Motiv, excellent contraption.

jimq

what he said

springer3

I have used pressure but switched to gravity bleeding. Gravity bleeding takes 5 times longer than pressure bleeding, but the results are equal. I found the time to service the car does not increase, because I adjust valves at the same time I am bleeding. When you get back on your feet to move the crank for the next set of valves, it is time to top up the reservoir and move to the next bleed nipple. Pressure bleeding requires full-time attention, and don't get enough time to do anything productive while bleeding is underway.

Get a fuel hose with a snug fit over the bleed nipple (clutch is a different size). Route the hose to the bottom of an open coffee can on the ground at a place you can observe it. Replacing amber fluid with blue and vice-versa helps to determine when old fluid has been displaced. It speeds things along if you suction most of the old fluid out of the reservoir first.

Gravity works well, especially after the hose fills with fluid and siphon action improves. It takes about 20minutes per fitting for a routine bleed, and about double when there was air to purge after replacing the clutch slave and the brake hoses. It takes about 40 minutes to drain the reservoir, so you need to stay awake. Bubbles exiting the hose stop when the air is purged. I have excellent brake and clutch action even after purging air from the system.

DAVISRILEY

I echo the statements on the Motive bleeder. If I was going to get another, I would get the black one, I think that has a swivel at the cap.

Jscaramella

+1 Motive

rotorheadcase

AB did you happen to buy your Motive bleeder in Australia or have it shipped in from the US? Thanks,

Neil

Wachuko

+1 on the Motive...

Motive Bleeder

elbeee964

+1 motive.

(trip to Lowes plumbing and pneumatic dept's mod'ed what was the basic model into a universal bleeder w/ 'black' friendliness. Did the corolla 3 weeks ago. Most goodly.)

crg53

I did my brakes yesterday with the Motiv Black label, it does not get any easier than that. Do yourself a favor and buy one.

MisterRisky

get the motiv as you need it to bleed your clutch as well as your brakes

TR6

Definitely Motive. Don't waste your time on the suction type bleeders (I ended up throwing mine away and bought the Motive instead).

jimq

can you post a picture of the upgrade?

Marc Shaw

+1000 Motiv but get the Black label - I had a red and sold it once I bought the Black as the aluminum (versus plastic) is swivel so the tubing does not get twisted and the hose is longer and more convenient.

There are endless threads on using the Motiv dry versus with fluid -- I use it dry but search and you'll get different opinions.

Marc