Do it yourself brakes..???!!!!!

rs_petty

Well golly, Raybestos has been around longer than me, so I'd think they would match right up. There was absolutely no difference in the mounting hardware between the original and the replacement. Not sure the pad is the problem - probably the installer

wtd44

I have had great luck over many years using Raybestos. Example: I had a 93 Explorer that got under 30K on the stock pads, and I ended up with Raybestos (Super Stop) pads and shoes. They worked as well as the factory goods, but lasted SO MUCH BETTER. I sold the truck with about 70K on the odometer and the Raybestos pads and shoes still going strong. About 30 days later, the Firestone fiasco hit the news, and the value of old Explorers plummeted. I was lucky twice!

Mr_Shiftright

Raybestos is a brand name and makes a decent product, at least for domestics. By "cheap" I mean stuff from god knows where, brazil or whatever. Brake pads do vary widely in quality and fit problems.

wtd44

I had a set of after market front pads on the Explorer I mentioned above that shattered, thus leading to the Raybestos solution.
A couple days ago, I installed some CarQuest EIS-made rear shoes in my daughter's Prizm. The hard lesson here was how literally impossible it is to adjust the starwheel through the peep hole on the back of the housing. The brakes must be adjusted almost to final tightness from the front, with the drum off, and using a large caliper.

Mr_Shiftright

Actually, that's the best way for drum brakes anyway.

wtd44

You're telling me too late! (:^]
I needed to know BEFORE the hassle.

7937

Has anybody here bled a brake system using a Mityvac vacuum pump and, if so, would you recommend it? I happen to have a new one with all the fittings which I bought for $2 at a garage sale.

It seems to me that there is no difference in effect whether I use a vacuum or a pressure system. However, using a vacuum would only give me an effective atmospheric pressure of ±14.7psi or so on the surface of the fluid in the reservoir while, a pressure system, would give me a much higher pressure. I think about 30psi is recommended. Any comments on this would be appreciated.

7937

Well, I had no response to my question about vacuum bleeding so I went ahead and tried it anyway.

Using the instructions from the Mityvac vacuum pump manual and my trusty Chilton's for the 99 Cavalier, I was able to successfully transfuse the old brake fluid with fresh fluid. The old fluid didn't look bad at all however.

Just to be safe I followed the instructions in the Mityvac manual to release pressure in the ABS system as well as the instructions in Chilton's.

I was able to do the whole operation on my own in about an hour. The only precaution was to keep an eye on the brake-fluid reservoir and watch that it did not get too low.

The Mityvac comes with a handy vacuum guage that can also be used for other engine diagnostics. I've seen these units going for $25 at certain parts stores. I consider them a good buy.

wtd44

Judging from your comments, I assume you may not realize quite the bargain you got on the MightyVac instrument. The plain ones without the vacuum gauge sell for about $25, while the ones with a gauge are about double that. You should take a look at the MightyVac (part number 7200) Fluid Evacuator. It will move up to 6.5 liters of virtually any fluid using vacuum. Apparently there is a way to hook up a brake kit to this big unit, as well. P/N 7200 sells for $60+ and is exceptionally good quality.

7937

I've seen the Mityvac - ( that's how mine is spelt - are we talking about the same product? Mine is made in the USA) - for $25 at Habor Freight. It's a hand operated vacuum pump that comes with all sorts of fittings and containers. It has a vacuum gauge attached to it that can also be used for engine diagnostics. There is also a list of optional fittings that are available from the manufacturer. The manual that comes with it is very informative.

I know I was lucky to get mine for $2. It's amazing what a person can get at a garage sale. I once bought a brand new 700 watt microwave oven for $25 at another garage sale. Such bargains are few and far between though.

wtd44

You are absolutely right! The spelling is Mityvac.
I stepped out in the garage to see if there was a different spelling, and found it the same. Harbor Freight has some good deals. I have shopped there for many years. I happened to get my Mityvac stuff from J.C.Whitney mail order. I notice that all appearances indicate the Mityvac name has moved to a new "parent" company since when I bought my original kit quite a few years ago.