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Hand Vacuum Pump Brake Bleeding Experience



Here is my experience using a US$24 hand operated vacuum pump for
bleeding my brakes (I left it in the trunk, but I think the brand
is "Mighty Vac"):

I had the best luck using the tapered inserts in the bleed nipples,
rather than the snap-on adapters, but even so, I did get a lot of
air bubbles from around the loose threads on the nipple, which was
somewhat alleviated by a drop of oil around the threads. Actually,
the air did not concern me because the old brake fluid was so
incredibly brown and filthy, it was easy to tell when I had purged
it from the system simply by observing when the extracted fluid
became clear in color. I guess I can look forward to rebuilding
my calipers and brake cylinders in the not too distant future.

Two of the bleed ports were totally stopped up so that no amount
of suction or even brake pedal application could expel the stoppage.
I finally cleared the clogs by removing the threaded bleed nipples and
using a long, sturdy pin to ream-out the hole.

Needless to say, my brakes operate much better now.

Someone else mentioned a one-man bleeder which relied on pressure
and included a reservoir for the fresh brake fluid, which costs
about US$35. If someone knows of a source, please post since I think
I would like to buy one. But otherwise, the hand pump was easier than
enlisting someone else's help to bleed the brakes.

Richard
84 733i