The Best Brake Bleeder Kits and Tools

When brakes on the vehicle in your effect decreases, you can often fix the problem with a brake bleeder. As the name suggests, the helper is used to remove air from the brake system. Air enters the system, for example, when regularly changing the brake fluid.

As various tests in practice have shown, brake bleeding devices are usually easy to use.

They are available in two basic versions, pneumatic and electric.

Read below what you should bear in mind when looking for the right brake bleeding device and how to proceed when bleeding.

Brake Bleeder Kit Best Choice

Table of contents:

1. Manual Brake Fluid Pressure Bleeder
2. Capri Tools Vacuum Brake Bleeder
3. Mityvac Hydraulic Brake and Clutch Pressure Bleeding System
4. Motive Products Power Brake Bleeder Kit
5. Mityvac Premium Pneumatic Air Operated Brake and Clutch Bleeding Kit

Best 5 Brake Bleeder Kits and Tools

Buying advice

The most important facts in brief

• A brake bleeder is always used when you change the brake fluid in the recommended 2-year cycle. This measure serves your safety as well as that of your passengers.
• You can choose between tool variants that are electrically or pneumatically operated. In various brake bleeder tests, both perform equally well, depending on the brand and model.
• In principle, changing the brake fluid is easy to handle. If in doubt about how to use a brake bleeder, it is advisable to consult a specialist workshop.

The air in the brake system reduces the braking force in your vehicle, which means that the braking distances become longer and longer. To be able to intervene here sensibly, you need a break bleeder for the motorcycle or your car. The same applies if you change the brake fluid yourself, which is recommended after two years at the latest, regardless of the kilometers driven.

How does a brake bleeder work?

Before you buy a brake bleeder for a car or motorcycle, it is recommended to briefly familiarize yourself with how the brake systems work. In addition, the question arises whether, in addition to the bleeder, other accessories are needed when changing the brake fluid.

The brake system briefly explained

Remove air from your vehicle’s brake system with a brake bleeder.

Simply operating the brake pedal is by no means enough to achieve the desired braking effect; various hydraulic systems are installed. The pressure is distributed to the individual breaks via the brake fluid. If air gets into the system, the braking power is reduced. If you want to bleed the system yourself, you need a brake bleeding device that works manually, electrically, or pneumatically.

• How it works

Regardless of whether you need a brake bleeding device for the motorcycle, a classic car, or other vehicles: The principle of operation is identical depending on the variant you choose. For example, one brake bleeding device works with compressed air, while others work electrically or manually like a vacuum pump.

• The procedure

In principle, you need to attach the brake bleeding device from ATU or other suppliers to the bleed valve of the brake system. After this first step, you will be able to either squeeze out the air or suck it out, which depends on whether you are using a compressor brake bleeder or another variant. To avoid mistakes during the application, it is recommended to study the brake bleeder instructions as thoroughly as possible.

With a brake fluid tester, you can easily test how high the water content in the brake fluid is. If this is too high, the brake system loses its effectiveness at high temperatures, and the risk of air bubbles forming also increases. In addition to changing the fluid, you will also need a brake bleeder from ATU or a bleeder from another supplier.

Brake bleeding devices in comparison: What types are there?

In the following section, we introduce you to the different types of brake bleeding devices for professionals and do-it-yourselfers with which you can perform bleeding and a complete brake fluid change yourself. As a rule, you will need suitable brake bleeder adapters to be equipped for both activities.

Which type of brake bleeder to choose in terms of function?

To perform a bleeding or fluid change, you will need a professional brake bleeder if you own several vehicles or manage a small fleet.

• Electric Brake Bleeder

Features:

• brake bleeder-electric;
• the electric brake bleeder requires a 230-volt power supply;
• is mobile on wheels, but primarily intended for stationary use;
• in comparison, low time expenditure with a high bleeding performance;
• after switching off, the pressure is automatically released;
• relatively expensive, therefore only worthwhile if used frequently.
  

• Pneumatic Brake Bleeding Device

Features:

• brake bleeding unit-pneumatic;
• the pneumatic brake bleeder is operated with compressed air;
• a compressor is needed in the workshop, in the home workshop, or in the garage extension;
• depending on the version it is primarily suitable for stationary use;
• this brake bleeding device develops high pressure, which is why the time required remains within a manageable range here as well;
• is located in the middle price segment.

Another option: The manual brake bleeding device

If you are looking for an inexpensive brake bleeding device, the alternative described below with its advantages and disadvantages may come into question:

Advantages:

• neither electricity nor a compressor is needed for operation;
• can be used on the road if you are planning a longer trip;
• cheaper compared to the other variants;
• can also be used as a brake bleeding device for the bicycle in a set.

Disadvantages:

• • the time expenditure increases, since the brake bleeding device is operated with a hand pump;
  • is somewhat more cumbersome in handling and thus error-prone, as various tests of these brake bleeding devices have shown.

What purchase criteria do I need to consider for a brake bleeding unit?

• For which brake systems are the brake bleeding unit suitable?

Within the product descriptions you will find corresponding information, whereby the following systems are relevant:

• ABS (anti-lock braking system).
• ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation).
• ESP (Electronic Stability Control).

• The capacity of the collection tank for the brake fluid

Regardless of whether you choose a version without a compressor or a brake bleeder in monochrome, a conventional vehicle requires an average of 1 l of brake fluid. This is a value that you can use as a good guide. In most cases, the capacity of the collecting tank is 2 to 3 liters, so that there is a sufficient reserve.

• The length of the bleeding hose

Unless you are working with a manually operated device, the length of the deaeration hose plays a role. The longer it is, the larger the action radius.

Notes on accessories

In principle, the sets contain everything you need for bleeding the brake system, except that you may need additional adapters or covers for the brake bleeder. Filters and safety valves are usually not necessary.

Tip: If brake fluid drips onto the floor or onto the container during decanting, for example, you can wipe it away without any problems, as brake fluid reacts with water by nature. Nevertheless, make sure that it does not come into contact with your skin. Even better, wear protective gloves and ideally safety goggles.