My thoughts on the MityVac 8000.....

[Magnum440d100]

Yesterday, I bought the MityVac 8000 from harbor freight. I had 2 rear wheel cylinders to replace on my 73 Lincoln Mark IV. I rebuilt the front suspension and brakes about 2 years ago. The brakes have never felt “right”. I knew the rears were “bad” because I rebuilt them about 15 years ago or so. Probably closer to 20 and they were questionable back then. But it never drove much, so it was in the back of my mind and forgotten about.

Ok, so to the MityVac...

I decided to pull the fluid out of the master cylinder first with the MityVac. It worked great. I still had to wipe it out with a clean lint free rag, but that is to be expected.

I topped off the master cylinder with new fluid bought today.

I decided to flush the lines with the old wheel cylinders still installed so that I didn’t fill the new wheel cylinders with old crusty fluid. The MityVac worked great.

On the new wheel cylinders, I tried 2 different methods. One side, i gravity bled, finishing with the MityVac. The other side I used the MityVac, no gravity bleed.
The gravity bled side finished quicker than the non gravity bled side. I had to pump and pump and pump the MityVac. I got all 4 corners bled with the MityVac and then finished up with the old school method of having a friend pump the pedal, hold, and I crack open the bleeder. It wasn’t really necessary, though I wanted to see.

So, my lesson learned is to gravity bleed first, and finish with the MityVac. It seems like the MityVac works best with fluid already in the lines and cylinders/calipers.

Overall I am happy with it. I know there are better ones out there, but this one worked just fine. I have 3 trucks to do, so maybe my opinion will change hahaha

 

[CJM8515]

better off using the air powered bleeder they sell.

 

[Magnum440d100]

better off using the air powered bleeder they sell.

Yes I totally agree

My air compressor is absolute ****. I got it from a tweeker house after my friend (the owner/landlord) kicked them out. It has worked semi decently, but it is on its last leg.

When I upgrade compressors, I will upgrade my air tools as well

 

[kctyphoon]

I ponied up - and bought the big floor standing one, with suction and dispense, and bought the brake bleed kit..

Here’s my opinion - get the motive power bleeder..
or - rig yourself up a little 20 oz soda bottle with some small flexible hose that fits tight on the bleed screw. Run the other end trough a hole in the cap, and down to the bottom of the bottle .. fill bottle with brake fluid past the hose, so it cant **** any air in the line, and just pump away with the brake pedal in the car..

I cant get the big mityvac kit to seal using their adapter kit.. i gave up..

For a quick bleed the hand pump model is prob fine.. for a flush - get a pressure bleeder.

Finally got around to finishing the brake job on my car today.. next chance i get I’m flush the brake system.. truck is next hopefully.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I would agree on the Motive bleeder.It works very well.

 

[928'er]

I'll add another vote for the Motive bleeder. Just pump it up, crack the bleed screws, done.

I've had zero luck using the MityVac. It always ends up sucking air around the bleed ******* rather than actually pulling fluid (or air) out of the lines. You never know if the air bubbles are coming out of the lines or just being sucked around the bleed screws.

 

[PoorOwner]

I don’t have the newest mityvac just the classic. But never got good pedal feel with it.
I found the best feel as good as 2 man technique, is to be using motive bleeder.