How to Bleed Brakes With a One-Man Brake Bleeder Kit

You must bleed the brakes whenever you replace a brake part, flush the brakes, or do something that exposes the hydraulic system to air. It’s also time-consuming, since you must bleed the brake line for all the wheels. Fortunately, using a one-man brake bleeder kit can speed up the process. Learn how to use the one-man brake bleeder kit to save you time and energy.

How to Build and Use Your Own Brake Bleeder Kit by Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

If you have four water bottles with lids and a fifth water bottle for a reservoir topper, you can build your own kit using a rubber hose that will slide over the bleeder screw nipple.

Step 1: Get 5 empty 16-ounce water bottles washed out with brake fluid.

Step 2: Drill a hole in four of the bottle caps near enough the outside diameter of the hose so that the hose will slide tightly through the hole in the cap but won’t slip back out.

Step 3: Drill a second much smaller hole in the cap for a vent.

Step 4: Get enough 5/32 hose to have 18 inches of hose for 4 of the 5 bottles.

With the end of the hose very near the bottom of each bottle, connect the other end of the hose to the bleeder screw. Open the bleeder screw. You may need to use a piece of wire to support each bottle.

Step 5: Pump the brakes slowly until you see nothing but fluid in each bottle.

Step 6: Close the bleeders and check the pedal to see if it’s spongy.

Step 7: Use bottle number five up-ended over the master cylinder like this to keep the master cylinder reservoir full. This bottle also works as a sight glass so you can see how much fluid is still available.

How to Use a One-Man Brake Bleeder Kit

Now, if you plan on bleeding your car’s brakes with a one-man brake bleeder available commercially, prepare the following items beforehand:

• One-man brake bleeder kit
• Brake fluid
• Box end wrenches that fit the bleeders screws
• Jack and jack stands
• Lug wrench
• Towels or rags
• Safety gear

Securing the Vehicle

Park your vehicle on a flat area and engage the parking brake to keep it in place. Wedge wheel chocks behind the rear tires to negate the risk of rolling.

Use a jack to lift the vehicle and place jack stands underneath to support the weight then remove the wheels to expose the brake lines.

Check the Brake Master Cylinder

The next step is to check the brake master cylinder. Open the hood of your vehicle and look for the master cylinder. You can usually find the master cylinder on or near the firewall that separates the engine compartment from the vehicle’s interior.

Once you find the master cylinder, remove the cap of its reservoir and measure the brake fluid level. Top the reservoir up with new hydraulic fluid if it looks too low then seal it again for the next step.

Set Up the Brake Bleeder Kit

Prepare the brake bleeder kit for use. Refer to the instruction manual that comes with the kit.

The specific steps for setting up the brake bleeder usually vary between different products. Generally, you connect the bleeder to your vehicle’s brake system with a flexible bleeder hose.

Find and Prepare the Bleeder Valve

Next, locate the bleeder valve. Begin with the rear wheel that is farther from the master cylinder. The valve’s location might vary between vehicle models, but it’s usually on the brake caliper or wheel cylinder.

The bleeder valve has a dust cover that keeps contaminants out. Open the dust cover–it’s the connection point for the brake bleeder hose.

Attaching the Brake Bleeder Hose to the Bleeder Valve

Bleeder valves might vary in size between vehicle models. Most brake bleeder kits include several adapters for the most common sizes of bleeder valves. Once you find the right one for your vehicle, attach the adapter to the bleeder valve.

Now, connect the brake bleeder tube to the adapter. The hose leads to the catch container, which will collect the fluid from the brake system.

Open the Bleeder Valve

It’s time to open the bleeder valve. You’ll need a box end wrench for the task.

Place the box end wrench on the bleeder valve and rotate the valve counterclockwise by roughly a half-turn. Partially opening the valve enables sufficient flow of brake fluid while minimizing the risk of air entering the brake system through the opening.

Operate the Brake Bleeder Pump

After sealing the bleeder valves, use the brake bleeder pump to force brake fluid out of the brake system.

The brake bleeder will draw fluid into its catch container. Continue pumping until only clear fluid flows out of the bleeder valve. The expelled brake fluid should have no visible contaminants or air bubbles.

Shut the Bleeder Valve

After ensuring you have bled the brakes clean, shut off the bleeder valve by rotating it clockwise. Disconnect the bleeder hose and put the dust cover back on the valve.

Bleed the Rest of the Brakes

You must repeat the process for the brake lines on all of the other wheels. Once you have bled each line and closed their respective bleeder valves, reinstall the wheels.

Check the Master Cylinder Again

Return to the master brake cylinder. Ensure it still has enough brake fluid after bleeding the brakes. Remove the reservoir cap and check the fluid level in the container. If necessary, top off with more brake fluid. Seal it, ensuring the cap snugly fits over the reservoir’s opening.

Test the Brakes

Drive your vehicle at a sedate pace and test the brakes. The brake pedal should feel firm beneath your foot, while the brakes should respond immediately.

If the pedal comes off as soft or spongy, there’s a chance that some air either remained in the brake system or got inside because of an error during the process. You must bleed the brakes again to get rid of the air bubbles.

What is a One-Man Brake Bleeder Kit?

A brake bleeder kit is a collection of tools and equipment for bleeding a vehicle’s brakes. The basic kit has a pump, at least one adapter, and a tube or hose.

Many brake bleeder kits require at least two people. One person pumps the brake pedal while the other operates the bleeder valve.

However, some brake bleeders are designed for use by a single person. Called one-man brake bleeder kits, they use a vacuum pump. While basic pumps effectively push brake fluid out of the brake system, vacuum pumps create a vacuum that draws out the fluid.

How Does a One-Man Brake Bleeder Kit Work?

You can divide one-man brake bleeders into three groups according to the type of vacuum pump they use: hand, electric, and pneumatic pumps.

Hand pump brake bleeders require manual pumping to create a vacuum for drawing brake fluid. The simplest and most affordable option, they are also the most tiring to use.

Pneumatic pump brake bleeders create a stream of fast-moving air with an air compressor. The stream produces a vacuum effect that pulls fluid and air bubbles out of the braking system. They require less effort than hand pumps.

Finally, electric vacuum pump brake bleeders draw power from a motor that runs on electricity. They can keep running without direct input, which saves you time because you can handle other tasks without pausing the brake bleeding. However, electric vacuum pumps have the heftiest price tags and contribute to your electricity bill. If you consider how valuable your time is, electric pumps can pay off their initial cost in time.

How Much Does a Brake Bleeder Kit Cost

A brake bleeder kit can go anywhere between $10 and $200.

Where to Get a Brake Bleeder Kit for Your Vehicle

Bleeding your brakes can be done in the comfort of your garage. If you’re a dedicated DIYer, there’s no need to save up for labor fees when you’ve got a brake bleeder kit.

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