www.iFourWinns.com

I'm not sure who mentioned this, but I think it was someone on this forum. Anyway it seemed like a great idea so I made one. It was more work than it looks, but I think I might finally have a truly effective way to bleed brakes without assistance (who was it who said, "No man is an island... if he owns a boat?"). Temporarily replace the master cylinder cap, connect an air compressor, set the regulator to 20-30psi, and make sure to top off the fluid every few squirts.

I had to get an extra master cylinder cap from Tie Down, cut & re-thread a 4" brass nipple to fit the stainless nylock nuts, and seal the vent hole in the cap with RTV silicone.

It's probably more trouble than it's worth if you have a helper handy, but when I do it I'm likely to be 60 miles from the nearest help.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Nice work Mike, I've been able to bleed my trailer brakes by myself by using a Lisle one man brake bleeder kit, it's a little plastic jar with hoses that hooks up to the bleeder valve, and it keeps the air from re-entering the system

http://www.sears.com:80/shc/s/p_10153_1 ... 5198141255

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I've tried that one and one other, but they didn't work well for me. I probably did something wrong but I eventually gave up on both (maybe mine had a defective pump, not sure now). Actually the closest I've come was with a simple, short length of clear vinyl tubing and a 1-way valve from the hardware store, with some of the parts from the commercial products. But even that wasn't perfect.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Thats great!!

Mike that was probably me. Your idea was the exact direction I was going. I have my old Attwood cap off the dead-actuator. Gonna give it a try.

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

Well, then thanks for the inspiration; I'm glad I know who to thank now!

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

No No I was giving credit to your set-up. I thought your were referring to a post on iBoats by me. I copied YOUR design. Mine ain't as pretty tho............................. Will try it tomorrow. I forgot to pick-up the main thing I needed today.........BRAKE-FLUID ......I'm a retard sometimes..........

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

I didn't intend any sarcasm . I actually thought I saw something about it here but it was some time ago so I wasn't sure who to thank for it.

Anyway... pretty doesn't count for much when it comes to bleeding brakes. I just hope the thing works. The longer nipple on mine wasn't planned but it was the only way I could get a nut on both sides of the cap. It's a happy outcome though since my master cylinder cap sits down below the surface of the tongue.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I just drilled and self-tapped it into the old cap with some sealer. Should work, I hope!!!

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

It worked fabulously. It's still a PITA to bleed my brakes, mostly because the master cylinder holds such a small amount of fluid that I have to keep getting out from under to refill it so air doesn't get in. But, I do think this was the best bleed job I've ever done.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Oh no doubt very user friendly. I found if ya turn it down to 5 psi, you don't have to run to the front so fast...............

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

I just close the bleeder cap so I can take my time. With the heat and humidity we're having here, combined with the cramped quarters I have to work in, hurrying isn't an option.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic