Applicable to: '90 - '97
Speedbleeders brake bleed valves for disk brake cailpers
I purchased 2 sets of these bleed valves (front and rear) from Raceshopper.com for $12.95 per pair. Each pair comes with 2 dust caps. I also got a complimentary "bleeder bag" with my order. (This is a long tube and IV-style bag to catch the used fluid, which was handy.) These bleed valves have an internal check valve that allow you to bleed your brakes without having to close the valve between each pedal stroke. Normally, when you bleed your brakes, one person opens the bleed valve with a small wrench while another pushes the brake pedal down, forcing fluid and any trapped air out. Next, the first person closes the valve and the 2nd person releases the pedal. You repeat this process over and over again until all of the air is pumped out of the system. With the speedbleeders, you just open the valve 1/4 turn and then pump the pedal until all of the air is gone and then close the valve. This allows you to bleed your brakes quickly and without assistance. You install the valves by unscrewing the old ones and screwing in these new ones. The valves come with a coating on the threads, but screw in easily. As with all bleeder screws, you must be careful not to overtighten them. If you overtighten them, you will either strip the hex fitting on the valve, or you will crush the valve opening inside the caliper. The hex fitting on the valve requires a 8 mm wrench, just like the OEM valves. The front and rear valves are different sizes, make sure you specify front and/or rear when you order.
Overall, I am thrilled with this product. The speedbleeders work as advertised and do not leak. I replaced my brakes lines during my last brake job. Doing this empties the system of most of its fluid and therefore requires a lot of bleeding. Having to do this old way would have been very time consuming. I highly recommend this item. General warning - Brake fluid is dangerous to your health. It can be absorbed through your skin, possibly causing kidney damage. Please wear latex or nitrile gloves when working with it.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
A bleeder screw with an internal valve to prevent air from reentering during the bleeding process.
They work as advertised, but I cannot overemphasize the necessity of being VERY gentle with them, and also spraying down the bleeder hole with wd40 to clean it out before you install them. Also, they are LONGER than the factory screws, so it will appear to be partially installed when it is in fact fully installed. If it feels even partly tight and brake fluid cant get out, then it is in all the way. Attempting to turn it further will break if off. Pain in the ass if you do that.
The people operating www.speed-bleeder.com are very helpful and even shipped me a replacement bleeder for the one I snapped off for free. I dont know if they are a reseller of Russel Speed Bleeders or manufacturing a copy or something, but they look and feel exactly like the Russel's so I would have to say they are probably related in some way. Assuming you dont try to gorilla tighten it the bleeders are reliable so far.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 +
Replacement for the stock bleeder screws. Allows for easy bleeding of the brake lines by one person.
I installed this product on my '99. This product works well. They are easy to install. All you need to do is remove the wheels, unscrew the stock bleeder screws (with an 8mm wrench) and replace them with the Speed Bleeders (note: the size of the screws are different for the front and rear calipers--you'll need to order a different sized pair for each). Then, bleed the brakes with your new Speed Bleeders, replace the wheels, and you're done! Be careful not to overtighten! I also broke the first one I tried to install. I then had to follow the instructions on the Speed Bleeder website, speedbleeder.com, to remove the broken screw from the caliper (not fun).
You can avoid breaking the screw by keeping in mind a few things: the instructions say that there will be resistance as you attempt to screw in the Speed Bleeder because of the sealant material they've added to the screw. This resistance is negligible! However, as you rotate the screw with your small 8mm wrench, there will be a definite point where you will hit resistance (for me, the screw was about half way in, just as the last bit of the colored sealant disappeared beneath the screw hole). This is where you stop! Don't try to rotate the screw all the way down. The threads at the top of the screw will still be exposed even though the screw has been fully installed. Remember, you still have to loosen the screw a half a turn or so to bleed the lines..and then re-tighten when you're done. The difference with the Speed Bleeders is that you don't have to re-tighten the screw after every pedal pump. Hope this helps. Tina
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
| Back to Product Reviews | 31 July, 2005 |