Brake Booster Question

[Wendell Allen]

Anybody ever rebuild their own PB booster? Mine has a vacuum leak, and I'd rather save the bucks it would take to have someone else redo it.

Thanks a Mil!

Wendell

[Patrick H.]

Re: Brake Booster Question

Wendell,

Never done it and don't intend to. I think its too much of a safety thing.

If you buy one re-done, like at AutoZone, get the master cylinder/booster combo if you'll need a booster anyway. The warranty is better if you buy the pair.

The toughest part of the whole job is getting at the 4 deformed-thread nuts that hold the booster to the firewall on the back side of the dash. Definitely one of the more challenging things I've ever done. Access is Zero. 0.

Good Luck,

Patrick

[Gary Cederman]

Re: Brake Booster Question

Wendell,

I tried to rebuild the booster on my '63 and found out that I could not get all of the parts that I needed. You can get some of the parts such as: diaphragm, felt filter and front seal. But, there are some internal rubber parts that you can not buy from corvette vendors. I felt that the rubber being 40years old should be replaced. So, I checked around to some of the rebuilders and they have the parts but stated that they could not re-sell them. I then checked with the manufactures of these parts and they stated that they only sell to rebuilders.

I gave up and send it out to have it done.

Gary

[Gary Cederman]

Re: Brake Booster Question

One other thing. I did take mine completely apart and I do not believe that it would have been difficult to rebuild. I know some will talk about safety but I think that is incorrect! You can rebuild the other parts of the brake system. Shouldn't that be a safety issue? I think that it is more difficult to hone and sleeve a master cylinder than it is to rebuild the booster. JM2C.

Gary

[Michael S.]

Re: Brake Booster Question

A brake booster rebuild from "Booster Dewey" or "Steve Degrogorio" will only cost you $100.00 or less. This assumes you get just a rebuild. Plate the booster can and the price goes up. For less than a hundred bucks I would not fool with it if you gave me the proper parts. I would not rebuild one without plating the unit. Unfortunately some of the "rebuilds" you get from the parts houses "Autozone" MAY/CAN have a wrong diaphragm for your application causing the brake pedal to "slam" to the floor when you apply the brakes. Why, because although the can may appear externally correct, there are different applications for vacuum levels and "power assist" provided by the vacuum booster diaphragm. How will you know if you have the correct one. Just because the book says it's correct and will bolt on doesn't mean anything. Many of the units are set up for many applications. I bought one from "autozone" one time to save time on car. The master cylinder was NOT correct for my application but what the hell, I had the old one that was good. Result, the problem I outlined above.

Concerning safety. Safety is not the issue as to why rebuilders won't sell you the parts, its liability that the parts suppliers/rebuilders have when selling components. Sure, you can go buy a complete part, wheel cylinder as an example, and "install this part. They have no control over the "proper installation" of their remanufactured part but they do have control over the "remanufacture process" of their part. They have a liability when there is product failure, not incorrect installation. Yes, I know you can still go buy some rebuild kits such as caliper kits etc. Have an accident with brake failure and someone finds out you rebuilt them yourself, you could have a personal liability issue. Same could be true if you sold your car and buyer then crashed because of bad brakes/improper rebuild of the caliper. Depends on how deep you pockets are as to whether it's worth the effort. If someone is killed or maimed in the accident, all bets are off. Most people will come after you like stink on ****!

All the rebuilders, large and small, carry "boatloads" of product liability insurance for this reason.

If I were in that industry or any other rebuilder industry, I also "would not" sell anything other than a completed unit to a reseller or individul. For what you can buy some parts, why would anyone want to fool with them other than to see how they work.

Something to consider, one man's opinion.

Mike Strinich
#11202

[Jerry G.]

Re: Brake Booster air filters

I was looking at a part breakdown for my 66 PB booster unit and it showed "air filters" located in what looks to be the end of the unit that is against the firewall. Is this a servicable part? Is it supposed to be changed? After 36 years and a paint job I wonder is it's clogged?

[Gary Cederman]

Re: Brake Booster air filters

Jerry,
The filter is one of the parts that you CAN buy from a corvette vendor.

Mike,
I do appreciate your opinion. But, I do not agree with it. It is the same one that I have heard from others when I tried to purchase all of the parts to rebuild my booster a few months ago.

Even the ‘professionals’ can make mistakes. The booster is not some magical system. There are other parts on the car that if you do not install them correctly, or, if you do not use the correct part then there could be serious problems. That goes without saying. I just do not know why the boosters are given a higher status with respect to rebuilding.

FYI. I did take mine to Booster Dewey. He charged me about $120 and it was worth it. But, if I had the parts, I would have done it myself because that is one of the many reasons as to why I own an old corvette. Cost savings does not play into the picture of whether I should do it myself or not.

[Michael S.]

Re: Brake Booster air filters

Gary,

I understand and respect your opinion. That's what makes this hobby so great. I do agree, it should not be about the money.

Fortunately, you must drive you Corvette since you are concerned about the brakes working properly. That's the most fun one can have with an old Corvette. I too drive my cars. If it rains they get wet/washed. After all, they really are "just another old car"! Oh well, maybe not "JUST" another old car. But an old car non the less. Let em sit and they go to mechanical hell fast.

Mike Strinich
#11202

[Gary Cederman]

Mike: Hope to see you on the highway. Wave *NM*