That $40 vacuum bleeder from Harbor Freight actually works great

I was SURE it would leak or break after one use but I used it on a 2004 Camry last Tuesday and it pulled all the air out of the brake lines in under 20 minutes. The plastic reservoir feels cheap but the seal held fine. Has anyone else tried the Pittsburgh one or should I just save up for a Motive next time?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark_mitchell7d ago

Kinda overkill for a 2004 Camry though isn't it? Those old Toyotas are tanks and usually bleed fine with the two person method. I get wanting the tool but 20 minutes to bleed brakes on a car that simple seems like a lot of drama for no reason lol.

the_lucas7d ago

Gotta disagree with you there man. Doing the two person method on a 25 year old car with rusty bleeders is asking for stripped nipples and a headache. The vacuum bleeder takes the guesswork out of it and lets you work alone, which is honestly worth the $40 alone. Plus you can use it for clutch fluid and even for siphoning gas or testing vacuum lines, so it's not just a one trick pony. Not everything has to be a race against the clock, sometimes having the right tool just makes the job less annoying.