Anyone tried the speed-bleeders?

I need to change the rotors, pads and flush the brake fluid on my '96 Z, and checked on the latest catalogs the new speed-bleeders or solo bleeders from Earl's and Russell. I thought the speed bleeders might make my work easier and faster but I don't know if anyone has tried them? can they be trusted not to open once they are tightened shut? will they work well and remove all the tiny air bubbles? Pros and cons of using them? I thought about getting a vacuum bleeder but these new fittings seem like a good alternative. Thanks for your input...

No, I just make my wife pump the pedal while I bleed the brakes. :)

Sorry to add another notification without an answer but I have two of them on the seat of my car - still in the package; so I'm curious for an answer too. At least my reply will move yours to the top. ;)

When I installed the steel braided brake lines I also added the speed bleeders.

This was on the v6.

It was VERY easy to install and made bleeding the brakes VERY easy.

I have had them on the v6 for 2+ years.

I will be adding them to the T/A sooner or later.

So you just loosen the one that you want to start with and let the check valve do its thing?

I'd still think you'd need a second person to watch and see when the fluid comes out clean.

Yes, you loosen it a bit.... the check valve only allows fluid to flow out and prevents air from going back in.

I would loosen the speed bleeder, have a container underneath to catch any brake fluid, jump in the car, slowly press the brake pedal 2 or 3 times, get out and check the resevoir level and fill if needed and then check to see if any brake fluid came out of the speed bleeder.

I would check the color of the brake fluid in the container - as it got clearer I knew I was in business.

It is pretty easy to do on your own.

Thanks for the answer 12secondv6, seems like a good deal to me then...

Can you hook up a piece of clear hose to the bleeder to drain in a bottle or it has to be free on the end to spit all the fluid out and use a pan under the caliper instead (to allow for the movement of the valve)?

I would think the clear hose attached to it would be fine.... once you are done bleeding just remove it :)

I have used them on my vehicles for many years (at least 5 now). Never had a problem.

As others have said, rather than let the fluid spray out and dribble all over the place, attach a clear tube and place it in a container so the end remains submerged. Watch the tube as best you can and observe when no more bubbles are in the tube. Keeping the end submerged minimizes the chance of sucking up air back into the system. Brake fluid is cheap, I use two containers at least when flushing the system.

Remember to add fluid to the reservoir between every corner. Start at the passenger rear, then the driver's rear, then the passenger front, and finally the driver's front. I usually do the flush twice. The first time with the car off, the second with the car running to energize the ABS system. Bubbles get trapped in there so you need to run the car to get the solenoids to open up and allow the bubbles to flow out.