Installation
of Speed Bleeder®
Once you get your Speed Bleeder®, it is very
simple to install:
- Simply clean the area around the old bleeder screw so that
no dirt or contaminants can get into the brake system.
- Remove the old bleeder screw and discard.
- Screw in the Speed Bleeder® into the wheel
cylinder or caliper until it seats.
Unscrew the Speed
Bleeder® 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
Here comes the magical part. Slowly pump the brake
pedal approximately 4-5 times. (You do not have to close the bleeder screw between pumps.)
A one way check valve lets the air and fluid out when the pedal is pressed and closes
between pumps preventing new air from reentering the system between pumps.
After bubble-free fluid comes out of the Speed
Bleeder® screw, close the Speed Bleeder® until it seats.
Proceed to the next wheel cylinder or caliper until
all are bled.
That's all there is to bleeding brakes with
the Speed Bleeder®.
Thread
Sealant Now Available
The thread sealant is now available in 1/2
oz. bottles so that you can replace the sealant that has worn off over time.
It comes in a plastic bottle with a brush cap applicator. It is available for $10.00 and can be used in many other
situations where a quality pre-applied pipe sealant is required. A little goes a long
way. The recommended procedure for applying is as follows:
Clean the Speed Bleeder
with soapy water to
remove any brake fluid or grease and dry. A hair dryer does this nicely.
With the brush cap applicator apply a small amount of thread sealant evenly to the
threaded portion of the bleeder screw. (Leave the first
1 1/2 threads uncoated. This makes it easy to start threading into the wheel cylinder or
caliper without cross threading.) After it is applied,
dry with a hair dryer on high setting for about 1 minute. When cool and dry it
is ready for installation. |
Installation Notes:
Speed Bleeders are made from
one of these four hex stock sizes...
1/4" hex,
5/16" hex,
3/8" hex,
7/16" hex
This also applies to metric
sizes. This means that metric wrenches will not work with Speed Bleeder even though
it might have a metric sized thread. You have to use an inch wrench or SAE
wrench size. The reason is that metric hex stock is not readily available at a
reasonable price in this country.
When you first install the Speed Bleeder® you
will note a slight resistance when you reach the thread sealant. This is normal. The
thread sealant is conforming to the shape of the threads to provide a seal between
the internal threads of the caliper or wheel cylinder and the external threads of the
Speed Bleeder®. When the Speed Bleeder® bottoms out, it is closed.
If it still leaks tighten it a little more. (no more than 1/8 turn)
If you tighten it more you might break it off.
***DO NOT OVER
TIGHTEN***
On an aluminum caliper you could strip out the
internal threads of the caliper and on a cast iron caliper or wheel cylinder you could
strip off the threads on the Speed Bleeder® .
Speed Bleeders® are intentionally not
case
hardened. This makes it easy to remove if you break one off in the wheel cylinder or
caliper. A case hardened bleeder screw is very hard if next to impossible to remove.
Slipping a piece of clear plastic tubing onto
the nipple of the Speed Bleeder® and placing the other end into a clean container makes
it easy to see when the bubble-free brake fluid appears and lets you know it is time to
close the Speed Bleeder® . |
