Best way to flush brakes

[CadillacLuke24]

2015 Silverado Z71 LTZ, 6.2L V8. 114,991 Miles.

 

Coming up on my next brake fluid flush at 116xxx. Last time I did the ol' pump the brake pedal to cycle new fluid through the lines. That was kind of a PITA, so I'm inquiring about easier/more efficient methods. I know parts stores have the one man bleeder kits, NAPA has a reverse bleeder, and I've even heard about gravity bleed. Would there be any benefit to pumping the brake pedal with the truck idling to let the ABS pump do the work? Open to ideas. 

 

Thank you!

[diyer2]

I just bought this from Harbor Freight.

Videos of it in use on You tube.

Waiting to try it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

 

The ABS has to be cycled with a scan tool I believe. 

I'm not going to worry about the fluid in the ABS circuit. Can't be that much IMO.

 

[Grumpy Bear]

3 hours ago, diyer2 said:

I just bought this from Harbor Freight.

Videos of it in use on You tube.

Waiting to try it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

 

The ABS has to be cycled with a scan tool I believe. 

I'm not going to worry about the fluid in the ABS circuit. Can't be that much IMO.

 

I have a Mighty Vac but I think I like this HF tool better. Fewer trips from under the truck. Thanks! 

[Ozer]

I have that HF one and used it few times. It worked great. Just remember not to send full PSI thru it.

It may say in the booklet how much PSI to use. The fresh fluid reservoir works nice.

[camcamaro1991]

OP you asked for the best!

 

My favorite tool, pressure bleeding is recommended over vacuum, VCX nano will allow for GDS2 so you can bleed your ABS. 

 

Brake bleeder (separates air from fluid via diaphragm )

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-3795D-Brake-Bleeder-Tank/dp/B003U459B8/ref=ice_ac_b_dpb?crid=3G0WRUPT4EGA7&keywords=gearwrench+brake+bleeder&pd_rd_i=B003U459B8&pd_rd_r=f4f2c228-84b7-4a63-9684-64eb280e3ff6&pd_rd_w=wE99L&pd_rd_wg=12cCo&pf_rd_p=f0479f98-a32d-45cd-9c12-7aaced42b1ec&pf_rd_r=R8Z67PEQ6W52YBW8GDV9&qid=1558396648&s=gateway&sprefix=gear+wrench+brake+%2Caps%2C255

 

GM adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Probe-BA04-Bleeder-Adapter/dp/B0037668CI/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_2?keywords=power+probe+gm+brake+adaptor&qid=1558396760&s=gateway&sr=8-2-fkmrnull

 

Brake fluid catch can.

https://www.amazon.com/Allstar-Performance-ALL11017-Bleeder-Bottle/dp/B00F9XHVKA/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=brake+fluid+catch+can&qid=1558396976&s=gateway&sr=8-5

 

VCX (there's nothing you can't do with this VS dealership.) you'll need a laptop. 

https://www.amazon.com/VXDIAG-Tech2Win-Diagnostic-Programming-System/dp/B074365Q6H/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia?keywords=vcx+nano&pd_rd_i=B074365Q6H&pd_rd_r=a7ae5411-eaef-4ea4-a745-bc8818386e32&pd_rd_w=VxXMF&pd_rd_wg=pfmgD&pf_rd_p=f0479f98-a32d-45cd-9c12-7aaced42b1ec&pf_rd_r=MQAR608RQ7PKXXGX1BYK&qid=1558396851&s=gateway

 

Yes I use these on my vehicles, they are well used & tested.

Edited May 21, 2019 by camcamaro1991

[CadillacLuke24]

Wowza the Gear Wrench tank looks sweet, lotsa coin for that though. The harbor freight system looks good too, but I don't have an air compressor. That Allstar performance bleeder bottle though, that looks like a handy little deal. Glad I asked! Thank you for the answers guys, looks like I have some shopping to do!

[Nitrousbird]

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Products-System-Bleeder-Trucks/dp/B000TK9FE8/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1XG9H2OPRZCKU&keywords=motive+brake+bleeder&qid=1558956609&s=gateway&sprefix=motive+bra%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-9

 

I have adapters for our German cars and one for my boat trailer.  Works great, I end up using it at least once a year.

[diyer2]

I got one of these.

No adapters for the brake fluid reservoirs like the Motive one. 

https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

Haven't used it yet but there are videos on YouTube of people using it.

 

[davester]

I got the Motive pressure bleeder setup for my truck, initially with the plastic cap for the reservoir.  Pumped the tank up to the pressure that GM's FSM says to use, it worked briefly, then the cap blew off the reservoir and sprayed brake fluid all over.  Continued doing it, at a lower pressure (about 10-15 psi or so IIRC), and then the plastic cap stayed on.  I did buy Motive's metal cap after this, and that does hold at the pressure GM has in their FSM (25 psi I think, it's been awhile).

 

It's been 3 years or so, so it is time for me to flush my brake system...

 

The only real problem I had, was that for whatever reason, Motive was utterly incompetent at putting the correct address on the label to send it (the metal cap, purchased separately) to me.  I literally had to scan a piece of mail from someone else, and email the scan to them, before they could/would figure out how to make a label with my correct address (they sent it out, then it was returned for an addressing problem 3 times before they finally got it right).

Edited May 27, 2019 by davester

[royalkangaroo]

You can make your own bleeder with a couple parts.  Spare reservoir cap, clean pump sprayer, hose clamps, etc.  A quick google search will turn up some examples.  At this point you might be able to find one online just as cheap as a DIYer, however.

 

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/bleeder/index.htm