What size hose do you need for bleeding the brakes? And is there a preferred type, like clear? And where can I find it? Tried autozone last night when buying the brake fluid, but didn't see anything I could use for bleeder lines, except for in some 2.99 1 person bleeder kit. Didn't think I needed the kit, just the hose. Any suggestions?

 

I get mine at a home store or hardware store.

It's just clear plastic tubing, usually pennies per foot.

I think I use 3/16" or 1/4" ... can't recall. But $.50 of each will be enough ...

 

What brake fluid should I use when i get around to changing it? Does it really matter as long as its Dot 3? and How much do i need?

 

Street, track or Autocross?

 

I ended up going with the valvoline synpower that either mitch or trackbird (can't remember, they're both grand masters when it comes to brake and suspension stuff ) reccomended. Says it exceeds DOT 3 and 4 standards. Seemed reasonably priced too vs. generic DOT 3 stuff.

 

For street.

 

I have always used a chunk of 3/16th vacuum line. You can't see through it, but there will be a small amount of fluid right past the bleeder valve to help avoid sucking in air and it keeps the fluid from spraying everywhere (I use an old 2 liter bottle to catch the fluid in).

I'm pretty sure it is 3/16 that I use.....but I won't swear to it (test fit it if you can).

 

Rubber hose grabs onto the bleeder better than the clear vinyl hose. The bleeders get slippery so I like the black rubber, and I don't need to see inside the tubing because I run the tubing into glass jars so I can see when it is running clear. I hook up all 4 tubings/jars and let it gravity drip until clear fluid runs before I have someone press the brake pedal. So for me, it is four 18" 3/16ths black rubber tubing, and a liter of Valvoline Synthetic, and a turkey baster thing to draw off the old fluid from the reservoir that speeds up the process.

 

I concur when using $5 Valvoline fluid.

When using $70/litre Castrol SRF, one needs to preserve/conserve as much as possible. So seeing exactly whent eh fluid clears is important .. to me at least...