So after putting one together to bleed my brakes, it came out as a big disappointment. Here is the link to the one I made The DIY $20 brake bleeder

What failed for me was the cap on the master cyclinder. As little as 15psi caused the fluid to leak from around the bottom of the cap. I used the correct rubber gasket for the cap, which doesn't provide enough of a seal.

Anyone ever use this setup with any success?

BTW the master cyclinder is a Motorcraft part, and the modified cap and seal are from "HELP". The MS and calipers are brand new, along with a new booster.

 

I just took a low pressure regulator and made my own. Hooks to my compressor and I can totally flush my entire system in 15 minutes. As far as pressure bleeding I would not put more than 10 psi on the master cylinder anyways.

 

So you just used low pressure air to pressurize the reservoir? No brake fluid? If so, I guess I can just hook up my DIY bleeder, minus the brake fluid, pressurize it to 10 psi and try bleeding the system. Hopefully there will be enough volume in the pressure vessel to compensate for the leak around the cap. I only have one of those small compressors that doesn't put out much cfm.

 

15psi, way too much pressure. It will only take a pound or two to push the fluid through the truck.

 

I'll try less pressure and see what happens.

 

I've just used the one man brake bleeder kits with no problem? Or are you talking about flushing?

 

Not sure if we're talking about the same thing, but the device I'm using applies fluid, under low pressure, to the master cyclinder via a modified cap. What happened is that the modified cap and rubber gasket I am using did not adequately provide enough of a seal to keep the fluid from leaking from around the cap.

The device allows for one person to either bleed or flush the system. There should be enough fluid in the pressure vessel (garden sprayer) to keep the master cyclinder reservior from running out of fluid.

 

I know Harbor Freight isn't the greatest stuff, but I have one of these and have used it several times with no complaints:

Brake Fluid Bleeder

This is the kind that hooks to your compressor. I don't use the auxiliary bottle for the reservoir because it's too much of a PITA. Instead, I stop and check the master every little bit (or have someone else check it for me if possible).

So far, I've used that to completely flush the brakes on my truck AND on a motorcycle. Worked great! The only problem I had was was that it can suck fluid out so fast that I had to be real careful not to empty the reservoir on the bike.

Mike

 

Here is the pressure bleeder that I built out of crap I had laying around. I bought the QD fittings at a plumbing supply and the master cylinder caps.

First is the entire setup with the Ford cap setting to the side and the 04 Z71 and 04 Impala cap attached to the bleeder.




Next is a closeup of the low pressure regulator and fittings.



And here is a closeup of the cap that fits my 94 F150 so you can see the QD fitting. I just drilled and tapped the cap then epoxied the fitting into the cap. On the underside you need to cut the rubber slightly to allow the air to flow.

 

Intimnasc, so you don't have the problem of air leaking out from under the cap like I do? Or is it not an issue with your setup since it appears you are using shop air to pressurize the MC?

I think that my setup should work if I can get the cap to seal properly. If not, I may just use the bleeder as a pressure device, without fluid, and bleed it that way.

Still looking for suggestions on some type of cap sealing material or options. If not, I'll guess I'll just have to figure it out. BTDT, but no sense reinventing the wheel if someone will share their ideas