Recommend me a pneumatic brake bleeder system

One of the one-man operations.  Should I just hit Amazon and ignore anything that's $20?

Rosie's brakes still feel off, only thing I can think is there is still air lurking in the lines somewhere, so I'm gonna go at it a little more better next time.

I have a Motive brand unit. It's been worth the money to me. Over the years I have collected a variety of different adapters for the random projects I've fooled with. I'm sure there's cheaper pathways than I have chosen, but I like my projects to be enjoyable and minimize frustration so I sometimes tend to buy more upscale tools and supplies in hopes of getting better performance from them.

Depends on how long you want it to last.  My motiv is over 20 years old, had to replace the plastic line a few times but the pump still works fine.

Ive had a Motive bleeder for years. Its like a small garden sprayer.

Just looked on Amazon & there are a bunch of copies, but the original is still $60

On my cheapo amazon unit the llittle handle on the pump fell off but otherwise it has worked perfectly for bleeding the brakes and clutch on my europa

Nothing but good to say about my Motive unit after 5ish years of service. Probably getting to the point where I need to replace the line though. Some of the best money I've ever spent on a tool

Use a spray bottle sprayer on the bleeder screw with some tubing?

I finally broke down and bought a Motive one last year.  Tyler (my son) has used it a handful of times while we were sorting out his $500 SAAB, I should have bought one years ago.

I have a Motive, but I must admit I don't use it all that much. I usually just grab my Mityvac because it's smaller and easier to deal with.

The motive is great. Works awesome. If I had one wish, it would be a hookup for shop air to draw a vaccum. I have another extractor that does that and it is great.

I have the Motive one if you want to borrow it. I have the plate for that style master cylinder too.

porschenut said:

...had to replace the plastic line a few times but the pump still works fine.

I have had a Motive for years, too. Just wanted to emphasize the need to replace the hose periodically. 

Looks like I will be looking for a Motive.  Thanks guys

Another vote for the Motive. Also, i dont put fluid in my motive. I just fill the reservoir of the vehicle and use the Motive for pressure.  

In reply to TJL (Forum Supporter) :

Motive bleeder for me also, and yes, I just use it for pressure as well. Worked a treat on clutch cylinder also.

I have the Motive. 

Don't forget that drum brakes need to be adjusted very carefully before they'll feel good.

Also I'm not the guy to give tips on brake bleeding. It almost never seems to go well for me. 

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

Rear disc conversion already done.

I wonder how much of the crappy breaking is the rusted ass rotors.  It's not all of it I'm sure, but some of it definitely. 

I have a Motive bought long ago. Over the years I purchased a few adapters and repaired hose and I don't remember what else.  Although I use it from time to time my preference is Speed Bleeders, catch bottle and leg pumps. My only beef with Speed Bleeders is the vinyl caps that come with them (which) will be gone the next time I bleed the brakes. I'm going to get a bunch of rubber ones and see how they fare.

 Amazon.com: Brake Bleeder Screw Cap Grease Fitting Cap Rubber Dust Cover for Cars and Motorcycles (100 Pieces) : Automotive

I built my own using a garden sprayer and it has held up fine over 10 years. For my BMW which uses an ATE master cylinder I just grabbed an extra cap at the U-pull yard to make the pressure adapter, for the Subaru I bought the Motive adapter which is nicer than my DIY one. I'm posting this mostly to show that DIY is possible if someone wants to go that way, the motive back when I built it was the only option and a bit expensive up here.

One thing I do like with my setup was I drilled a hole in my sprayer tank and threaded a quick disconnect fitting in that I can hook up to my airline, I just dial my regulator down to 5ish PSI and it does all the work, I just need to keep an eye on the fluid level.

I also have a Motive and a question:  why doesn't anyone make something you can mix with brake fluid to change its color?  The reason is because if you bleed frequently, like a track car, how do you know when you've pushed all the old fluid through?  It may not be visibly dirty yet.  I don't like spending money to buy new fluid just to put it in the master cylinder and push it out the bleed screw on the other end because I'm not sure when to stop.  If I could mix something in to the new fluid to change its color, I'd know when I was in fresh fluid and I'd then tighten the bleed screw.

In reply to A 401 CJ :

Because the feds say so. Its why you can't have ate blue anymore.

Ranger50 said:

In reply to A 401 CJ :

Because the feds say so. Its why you can't have ate blue anymore.

Nope.  That reg was in place for like 5-10 years before dyed fluid got banned.  ATE got banned cause they got too much out there and got too big while flaunting the law

DOT gets upset when something is labeled as DOT-Legal when it isn't. 

Now, someone wants to make non-DOT-Legal dyed fluid, more power to em

ATE must have used some kind of compatible dye, I guess the question is what could a DIYer add?

Was using mine just today. Its so nice to be able to push copious amounts of fluid through a system to get everything flushed clean and not have to burden anyone with pumping the pedal and countless trips back up top to refill the reservoir. 
 

This is a very pedestrian application so I buy generic store brand brake fluid by the gallon from Atwood's (20 bucks).