Changing brake fluid and Clutch

[1KoolAsp 14TA]

Has anybody changed their own brake fluid and clutch fluid? I'm looking for a one-man bleed system or the simpliest way to change these two fluids. I saw something in a magazine that was a "one Man Brake Bleeder" that works with an air compressor. Unfortunatlly, the price of the system was $188.00. I thought that was way out of line! Can anybody help me??

 

[Steve-Indy]

Try Griot's Garage for a suction type bleeder which is considerably cheaper...works WELL. Some use pressure bleeder...buy one or make one (see search on this board).

 

[Ulysses]

Pressure or vacuum bleeder for brakes, but I have been told by Viper experts that the clutch is best done the old fashioned way.

 

[ruckdr]

JC Whitney has suction type bleeders for less than $50.00.
Work fine.

 

[Ulysses]

This is a little write up by Jerry Scott with an addition by Viper Wizard at the end on how to bleed the clutch, in case you are interested.

1. Remove the cap from the reservoir.

2. Have someone in the car push the clutch petal to the floor and hold.

3. Put a 11 mm box wrench on the bleeder valve, then hold a cotton rag over the opening to catch the fluid.
(I could not get a hose to fit over the hex. shaped bleeder valve.)

4. Open the valve and let out a small amount into the rag.

5. Pump the clutch rapidly, a minimum of 10 times and repeat the bleeding.

6. Fill the reservoir to the step.

7. Pump rapidly 10 times, hold to the floor and bleed a third time.

8. Pump rapidly 10 times, then refill the reservoir to the step. (The level will go down after you pump the
last time.)

9. Replace the cap and your are finished.

10. Wait at least an hour! Have someone step down on the Clutch
ONCE and hold it down!
Crack the bleeder loose-Just a smidgen[1/16 of a turn] and listen
for the last of the air to come out of the system..
Repeat one more time.
Top off the Reservoir.

 

[Steve Ferguson]

I have these bleeders on my Viper that let you pump out the air without having to have two people. I think they are simply called bleeders? I got a set a few years ago and they are great. Since I got mine the company has released them now in a stainless material. At one point SVSi was selling them. I don't know if they still do, but if they don't let me know and I will stop by the place and get you the information (they are 4 miles from my house). Good luck.

 

[Henry Cone]

The bleeders that you want are called Speed Bleeders and are available from Speed Bleeder Products at:

http://www.speedbleeder.com/

A Viper uses a total of 6 bleeders (2 on each front caliper and 1 on each rear). The Speed Bleeder P/N that you want for a stock Viper is SB1010S for the standard steel bleeder. Thay are available in Stainless Steel as well - I believe that you add a SS suffix to the P/N for this.

We have been using these Speed Bleeders on both of our cars for 2+ years now and highly recommend them. We consider them as a mandatory item for track prepping a Viper. You really need to have a fast and easy way to bleed brakes so that you are able to do it before each track event....

 

[Steve Ferguson]

Thanks Henry, those are what I was talking about. Jon, get the stainless, I think they cost more, but should last for a long time. I will switch to those one day (when I need to), but the regular ones have lasted more than three years on my car. Remember Stainless!

 

[Henry Cone]

Jon, I don't think that there is any issue with the Speed Bleeder themselves wearing out. What will eventually happen if you use them a lot is that the thread sealant that keeps brake fluid from leaking around the threads when the bleeder is opened will wear out. Speed Bleeder sells a bottle of sealant to enable the thread seals to be renewed when this happens.

We probably have bled the brakes on each of our cars 25 times since we originally installed the Speed Bleeders. Ours are still working fine....

 

[ntmatter]

How tough are they to install? Is it something that a non-mechanic who's good with directions can do safely?

A

 

[Ulysses]

The hardest part is getting the car in the air.

Stainless steel bleeder numbers for '00 Vipers:


The size(s) that you need for your application is as follows:
Front....SB1010S
Rear.....SB1010S

$15.00 each + shipping and handling.

 

[motomike]

I just did my brake fluid and clutch fluid on my car before putting it in winter hibernation. I bought a MityVac unit a couiple months ago that I used to bleed the brake lines and to remove the fluid from the master cylinder and clutch reservoir. Worked very well and made it a one man job. The unit can be ordered on the web for about $40.00.

 

[jcaspar1]

The best way is with a pressure bleeder (according to the shop manual). You can get a good one at Motive.
It is cheaper than using speed bleeders(about 1/2 the price), better for the master cylinder (no excessive piston travel) and you don't have to run back and forth pumping the brake pedal for each bleeder.