Best one man brake bleeding on a budget?

[Toaster Pilot]

I really want one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALBA-PRESSURE-BRAKE-BLEE... - I've used a similar unit in the past and it is so easy but £250 for a brake bleeder is a bit out of my realistic price range even though it will see a fair amount of use.

So... what alternatives are there for less? The Gunson thing you need to hook a spare tyre up to seems like a faff unless I was to get a small, light wheel from somewhere to solely use for it.

[S1_RS]

I've used the Gunsons kit for years and found it to be a very handy tool. I don't fill the container with brake fluid though as it fills the master cylinder to the brim, meaning fluid goes everywhere when you remove the kit. I just use it as a pressure bleeder and top up the MC when required. I also don't use a great deal of pressure.

[HumbleJim]

I use a Gunson Kit. Hooking up a spare wheel (don't use too much pressure) is a faf. I only use it once every couple of yrs on average so can cope with the inconvenience.

[paintman]

Gunson here too. Had mine for years & keep an old Metro wheel & tyre to power it.

[lexusboy]

A stick and your own foot is the cheapest option. Bleed as per usual and then hold the pedal down with the stick whilst tightening the nipple

[226bhp]

lexusboy said:

A stick and your own foot is the cheapest option. Bleed as per usual and then hold the pedal down with the stick whilst tightening the nipple

Exactly how does that work then?

[kev b]

Many professional mechanics I know use a cut down broomstick and a simple eezi bleed even though they have all the other more sophisticated types of brake bleeders to hand.

The advantage of the stick is that you can use it to pump the pedal without getting in the car yourself, as this can be tricky when the car is on a two post lift, then you can hold the pedal down to check for leaks, all without assistance. A more sophisticated two piece hold down tool is available but it doesn't work any better than the stick.

[DrDeAtH]

Bit of windscreen washer hose and a non return valve would be the cheapest method

[Jazoli]

DrDeAtH said:

Bit of windscreen washer hose and a non return valve would be the cheapest method

A non return valve from pets at home is a quid, (fishtank accessories, Halfords want £7.99 for the same thing) a length of hose/tube is a couple of quid, you can't get any cheaper than that.

[226bhp]

Jazoli said:

DrDeAtH said:

Bit of windscreen washer hose and a non return valve would be the cheapest method

A non return valve from pets at home is a quid, (fishtank accessories, Halfords want £7.99 for the same thing) a length of hose/tube is a couple of quid, you can't get any cheaper than that.

You can
Short piece of tube, bolt wound into one end. Just above the bolt make a slit with a sharp blade about 20 - 25mm long up the length of the tube. Attach and pump away.

The slit acts like the gills of a fish, the fluid forces it open, but the suction then pulls it back and it seals shut.

[Richyvrlimited]

Even cheaper, a bit of windscreen hose and a jar full of liquid - old brake fluid is best.

As long as one end is in the jar you won't get any air drawn back into the cylinder.

[lexusboy]

226bhp said:

Exactly how does that work then?

Do about 10 pumps with the nipple open whilst connected with some tubing to a collection vessel

[bennyboysvuk]

A bit more money, but the Sealey VS820 is pretty good for £48.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-and-Clutch-Fluid-B...

[Toaster Pilot]

bennyboysvuk said:

A bit more money, but the Sealey VS820 is pretty good for £48.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-and-Clutch-Fluid-B...

That looks good - I assume it fits onto the master cylinder the same way the electric one does

[bennyboysvuk]

Toaster Pilot said:

That looks good - I assume it fits onto the master cylinder the same way the electric one does

That's right. It's easy to use and feels quite robust. It's very easy to build the pressure up and it bleeds the system very quickly.