Anyone used these? I'm thinking to buy some as I plan to flush the brakes soon (servo set up). There seem to be a few brands out there. Anyone had experience of using them?
Speed bleeders
- Thread starter Slipperyeel
- Start date
are these the rubber tube with a stop end and a slit in the bottom. if so yeah they work amazingly well
Ah no. These are replacement bleed nipples which have a spring and bearing arrangement inside meaning the split tube affairs you describe are history 
You don't really need speed bleeders. Having just changed the fluid on my Servo brakes, the only issues I had was bleeding the foot brake control circuit. No matter how I tried, when pumping the brake pedal I was always getting a small number of bubbles out at the three bleed nipples on the servo unit. I put this down to air tracking down the threads on the bleed nipples. Didn't get it from either of the three bleed nipples on the hand brake control circuit probably because the reservoir was higher that the nipples.
For the power circuits a speed bleed nipple would be a waste of time, as the pump forces the fluid out.
Having just replaced all my standard hoses, for stainless steel braided hoses. I considered the additional cost of speed bleeders, but decided against it.
But don't let me put you off. However, there are 3 nipples on the calipers, and 6 nipples on the servo.
Ian
For the power circuits a speed bleed nipple would be a waste of time, as the pump forces the fluid out.
Having just replaced all my standard hoses, for stainless steel braided hoses. I considered the additional cost of speed bleeders, but decided against it.
But don't let me put you off. However, there are 3 nipples on the calipers, and 6 nipples on the servo.
Ian
I can't see what benefit speed bleeders give you. With normal brake nipples, you put a tube over the end of the bleed nipple and open the nipple with a spanner, pump the brakes and close it.
How much faster and easier is it using a speed bleeder ? you still need a tube (otherwise the fluid pisses out over the caliper), you still need to open the nipple, you pump the brakes and then close it.
And with servo brakes speed bleeders are pointless as it's even quicker as you use the electric servo as the fluid pump.
How much faster and easier is it using a speed bleeder ? you still need a tube (otherwise the fluid pisses out over the caliper), you still need to open the nipple, you pump the brakes and then close it.
And with servo brakes speed bleeders are pointless as it's even quicker as you use the electric servo as the fluid pump.
Bendy toy
Registered user
I guess a vacuum sucking on the billed nipple would help. But biggest issue is keeping the reservoir topped up. Let that get close to empty and you have to start again
Thanks for the feedback gents. I guess my thinking was to reduce even further the chances of getting air into the system, especially on the power circuits (rather than the Servo unit itself).
I always hate the flippin bleed tube coming off the nipple, especially at the front where you can't reach it so easily. A speed bleeder would fix all that guaranteeing no air goes back in. But I'm forgetting the pumps on the Servo pretty much cancel out that risk, if I can make sure the tube status on
I always hate the flippin bleed tube coming off the nipple, especially at the front where you can't reach it so easily. A speed bleeder would fix all that guaranteeing no air goes back in. But I'm forgetting the pumps on the Servo pretty much cancel out that risk, if I can make sure the tube status on
Thanks for the feedback gents. I guess my thinking was to reduce even further the chances of getting air into the system, especially on the power circuits (rather than the Servo unit itself).
I always hate the flippin bleed tube coming off the nipple, especially at the front where you can't reach it so easily. A speed bleeder would fix all that guaranteeing no air goes back in. But I'm forgetting the pumps on the Servo pretty much cancel out that risk, if I can make sure the tube status on
Use a small zip tie of you must.
Well, I thought of that (and I'll probably end up doing that!). But that's why I thought of the speed bleeders. Just makes an easy job even easier
Well, I thought of that (and I'll probably end up doing that!). But that's why I thought of the speed bleeders. Just makes an easy job even easier
The caliper nipples are easy. The 6 on the servo unit (control circuit) are a pain in the arse. The access is fiddely and you have to keep moving the bleed tube around. I packed loads of paper towel around the bleed nipples and the reservoirs. Just as well because I had lots of spillage swopping the tube around and topping up the reservoirs.
Ian
Bendy toy
Registered user
My bike has the effects of brake fluid spilled on top of the engine. 
It's those front calipers I was thinking about. Can't reach them and operate the lever AND fill the reservoir at the same time. It's not that I can't do it. Been doing it doing flippin years already! But just thought those speed bleeders might make it all a tad easier.The caliper nipples are easy. The 6 on the servo unit (control circuit) are a pain in the arse. The access is fiddely and you have to keep moving the bleed tube around. I packed loads of paper towel around the bleed nipples and the reservoirs. Just as well because I had lots of spillage swopping the tube around and topping up the reservoirs.
Ian
As for those nipples on the Servo unit itself. You're right. I can see fluid getting everywhere on that part and a fancy bleeder valve isn't really going to change that...
I'm still tempted to try some for the front calipers. When my 5yr old grows up a little I can train him to help me! (Instead of distributing my tools all around the garden for 'special op's!)
Dread right. I normally start the job armed with a bucket of warm water with a shot of car shampoo for exactly that reason
brake cleaner aerosol and an air line 
It's those front calipers I was thinking about. Can't reach them and operate the lever AND fill the reservoir at the same time. It's not that I can't do it. Been doing it doing flippin years already! But just thought those speed bleeders might make it all a tad easier.
As for those nipples on the Servo unit itself. You're right. I can see fluid getting everywhere on that part and a fancy bleeder valve isn't really going to change that...
I'm still tempted to try some for the front calipers. When my 5yr old grows up a little I can train him to help me! (Instead of distributing my tools all around the garden for 'special op's!)
You don't need to worry about the calipers. Open the bleed nipple and leave it open. Operate the pump via the respective lever. Whilst putting fluid in the reservoir. Release the lever. The head of fluid pressure from the reservoir will continue to drain via the caliper bleed nipple preventing air from entering. Move to the caliper and close the nipple. Reestablish the reservoir fluid level. Job done.
I even replaced my bleed nipples without bothering to bleed my system. Just left the cap off the resevoir. Swopped the nipple over, tightened it up and refilled the resevoir (making sure the level stayed high during process) Brakes as solid as before. The nipple sits on top of the caliper, so next to impossible for air to enter from the caliper nipple end.
Ian
Hmmm. You may have just convinced me!You don't need to worry about the calipers. Open the bleed nipple and leave it open. Operate the pump via the respective lever. Whilst putting fluid in the reservoir. Release the lever. The head of fluid pressure from the reservoir will continue to drain via the caliper bleed nipple preventing air from entering. Move to the caliper and close the nipple. Reestablish the reservoir fluid level. Job done.
I even replaced my bleed nipples without bothering to bleed my system. Just left the cap off the resevoir. Swopped the nipple over, tightened it up and refilled the resevoir (making sure the level stayed high during process) Brakes as solid as before. The nipple sits on top of the caliper, so next to impossible for air to enter from the caliper nipple end.
Ian
Really need to get this job done along with the valves!
Hmmm. You may have just convinced me!
It is easy to convince yourself. Before you start to bleed your system. Lift the lid off the servo resevoir and crack the caliper bleed nipple. Fluid will drain from the resevoir down and out via the caliper nipple. Provided you keep the resevoir level high, air cannot enter via the resevoir. You could conceivable bleed your system just by this method, without using the pump. But using the pump is better as it will guarantee forcing all the old fluid and crap out of your system.
Ian
If you are worried about air getting into the caliper when the nipples are open you can always put some thick grease around the nipple thread. That should seal the thread enough to stop air getting past. I have never really had a problem with air getting back into the caliper but a mechanic friend of mine told me about using grease if worried!
Ok. Finally convinced . Thanks all the input invaluable as ever.
One last question. Does it really matter which order the circuits are bled in? Wheel first, control second? Other way around? Annoyingly I don't know what goes on inside that lump of aluminium! And I haven't had time to research it!
. Thanks all the input invaluable as ever. One last question. Does it really matter which order the circuits are bled in? Wheel first, control second? Other way around? Annoyingly I don't know what goes on inside that lump of aluminium! And I haven't had time to research it!
Similar threads
- Locked
