76 brake booster
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
This is actually easier than you think and it can be done with the pad IN believe it or not.
All you need is a deep wall socket, a wobble without the spring, and a few full extensions. I take the seat out for more room, but it's not necessary either.
Just get the socket on the nut, and from out far away you can turn it off. Then do the next one...and before you know it you have all four nuts off and you're ready to get that booster off of the firewall.
Just curious, why the need to remove it?
All you need is a deep wall socket, a wobble without the spring, and a few full extensions. I take the seat out for more room, but it's not necessary either.
Just get the socket on the nut, and from out far away you can turn it off. Then do the next one...and before you know it you have all four nuts off and you're ready to get that booster off of the firewall.
Just curious, why the need to remove it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
It's not an easy job. Two of the nuts are a real PITA to remove and reinstall. I took my driver's seat out to make some working room and reached them from underneath. The clip that attaches the booster to the brake pedal is a pain too. Do a search of this forum. There are tips as to what tools and sockets, etc., you will need.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks, Durango boy. My pedal goes all the way to the floor when I apply my brakes. I've replaced every other part of the braking system. This is the last piece.
Should I take the seat out? I can imagine it is better.
Should I take the seat out? I can imagine it is better.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Let me ask you this first, with the engine off, when you repeatedly press the brake pedal, does it get very firm to where it won't press down any more?
That is how it should be when the engine is off, and then when it's firm and you start the car the pedal should get soft again.
You say it goes to the floor...and that usually indicates a bad master or a lot of air in the system. I am guessing you have already bled your brakes...but most often it doesn't get all the air out unless you use a pressure bleeder system or check valve speed bleeders.
I would hate to see you pull and replace the booster if that's not even your problem.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I've pulled the master off and the piston inside of the booster could be pulled out with no effort. I'm thinking there is a gasket inside the booster and the piston shouldn't be able to come apart from the booster.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
So before you disassembled it all, did you ever try to pump the pedal with the engine off? That's a key piece of info that'll indicate if you're replacing something that didn't need replacing.
Do you mean the tiny rod that pushes out of the booster and into the master? That comes out very easily. Booster seals rarely go bad, that's why I was looking at other options.
Also, bleeding Vette brakes seems like an easy task until you do it five times and still have air in the system.
Air gets trapped in the lines, and just moves back and forth as you bleed, while not actually being removed. Trust me, I would BET there is still a lot of air in your system.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Okay, when you tried that was the master still hooked up, and hooked up to the lines...or have some of the components been removed when you tried it?
Also, did you ever check the vacuum to the booster?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
The booster is usually not the problem with a low brake pedal. DB is right, most likely still air in the system. That rod will come out of the booster easily, that is normal. Make sure that rod is adjusted correctly or it may not push the master cylinder enough. Are you using a pressure bleeder? I've heard good things about the motive brand bleeder, but you can't beat the bladder style bleeders.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
All components was still hooked when I tried pumping. When I pulled the rod out of the booster there is a metal disc on the rod that was bent a little bit.
My real concern is will the pedal going to the floor still be because of air i the line?
My real concern is will the pedal going to the floor still be because of air i the line?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
The booster is usually not the problem with a low brake pedal. DB is right, most likely still air in the system. That rod will come out of the booster easily, that is normal. Make sure that rod is adjusted correctly or it may not push the master cylinder enough. Are you using a pressure bleeder? I've heard good things about the motive brand bleeder, but you can't beat the bladder style bleeders.
Make sure your booster is holding vacuum. Check it and also check the check valve the goes into it before replacing it. Sounds more like you may still have air in your brake lines/calipers.
I found a Motive brand pressure bleeder works best to get the air out.
Corvette brakes can be frustrating. Hang in there. By the time you get them working you won't be a rookie anymore!!
