Brake Booster internal seals
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
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From: Nottingham
Brake Booster internal seals
I've noticed of late that the idle rpms are rising when I push the brake pedal, making me think there might be an internal leak in my 80's brake booster.
I've not had a chance to have a proper look at it yet, so hoping it's something easier to sort out, but it got me thinking; are the internal seals/diaphragms available any more? Dr. Rebuild and Paragon (maybe the two most likely candidates) don't appear to have anything.
My 80 isn't exactly NCRS material, but I always like to rebuild original stuff rather than just chucking it and getting new parts.
Being in the UK doesn't help, so it'd be nicer to ship a bag full of seals than a whole rebuilt booster!
Cheers
Theo
I've not had a chance to have a proper look at it yet, so hoping it's something easier to sort out, but it got me thinking; are the internal seals/diaphragms available any more? Dr. Rebuild and Paragon (maybe the two most likely candidates) don't appear to have anything.
My 80 isn't exactly NCRS material, but I always like to rebuild original stuff rather than just chucking it and getting new parts.
Being in the UK doesn't help, so it'd be nicer to ship a bag full of seals than a whole rebuilt booster!
Cheers
Theo
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
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From: Washington DC
not sure about rebuilding yourself but you should be able to get a re-man for around $100 so it will still be stock. if you really have the time time to goof with it i'm sure someone has a rebuild kit for it.
Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Nottingham
Well the re-man route is less attractive because it's quite a big lump to have shipped over to the UK, and although I'm sure lots of the UK corvette specialists could sell me a unit, I just know it'll be pricey. A small bag of seals would cost a lot less to send over. (Even fairly basic vette parts seem to attract a "corvette tax" over here!)
I'm not yet totally sure that it IS an internal seal failure, but if someone knows of a seal supplier, it'll be good info to have.
I'm not yet totally sure that it IS an internal seal failure, but if someone knows of a seal supplier, it'll be good info to have.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 564
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From: London
Well the re-man route is less attractive because it's quite a big lump to have shipped over to the UK, and although I'm sure lots of the UK corvette specialists could sell me a unit, I just know it'll be pricey. A small bag of seals would cost a lot less to send over. (Even fairly basic vette parts seem to attract a "corvette tax" over here!)
I'm not yet totally sure that it IS an internal seal failure, but if someone knows of a seal supplier, it'll be good info to have.
I'm not yet totally sure that it IS an internal seal failure, but if someone knows of a seal supplier, it'll be good info to have.
The Uk corvette specialists seem to just swop the $ sign for the £ sign.What a rip off then they wonder why trade is bad.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Nottingham
... and the rest!
When I import parts for myself, I get stung for import tax and V.A.T, which comes out to an extra 23-ish% Then add the shipping cost, and you can effectively nearly swap the $ and £ signs! The UK suppliers then generally have to add their own cut, and things get even more expensive.
The only way to really do well is on the rare occasions that the packages miss out on the tax and duty, it all depends on how vigilant the customs guys are at this end.....
When I import parts for myself, I get stung for import tax and V.A.T, which comes out to an extra 23-ish% Then add the shipping cost, and you can effectively nearly swap the $ and £ signs! The UK suppliers then generally have to add their own cut, and things get even more expensive.
The only way to really do well is on the rare occasions that the packages miss out on the tax and duty, it all depends on how vigilant the customs guys are at this end.....
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 564
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From: London
... and the rest!
When I import parts for myself, I get stung for import tax and V.A.T, which comes out to an extra 23-ish% Then add the shipping cost, and you can effectively nearly swap the $ and £ signs! The UK suppliers then generally have to add their own cut, and things get even more expensive.
The only way to really do well is on the rare occasions that the packages miss out on the tax and duty, it all depends on how vigilant the customs guys are at this end.....
When I import parts for myself, I get stung for import tax and V.A.T, which comes out to an extra 23-ish% Then add the shipping cost, and you can effectively nearly swap the $ and £ signs! The UK suppliers then generally have to add their own cut, and things get even more expensive.
The only way to really do well is on the rare occasions that the packages miss out on the tax and duty, it all depends on how vigilant the customs guys are at this end.....
http://www.moving-parts.com/theconcept.htm
i spoke to Steve there and it seems they can get parts into the UK and bypass the duty.Have a word with them they might be able to help.
Thread Starter
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From: Nottingham
karioth; fair enough, I guess it's no fun in that respect! What are you doing driving euro-boxes anyway?! I thought you all went around in Cadillacs the size of supertankers.... only joking 
Just like all us Brits live in London 
With the vette you have the double problem of it being an old car AND a US machine. But I guess a little extra on the part prices is a relatively small price to pay for driving a car that makes people stop what they're doing in the street and nearly wet themselves with excitement as you drive by
Dell Boy, thanks for the advice, I've been in touch with Steve before now, and they seem to have a very good service. But for small things it's actually better (by Steve's own admission) to ship yourself. When you get around the gearbox/engine size, then they become the economical choice. Appreciate the heads up tho!
ANYWAY, someone was trying find out about brake booster seals, I recall...
Cheers
Theo
Just like all us Brits live in London With the vette you have the double problem of it being an old car AND a US machine. But I guess a little extra on the part prices is a relatively small price to pay for driving a car that makes people stop what they're doing in the street and nearly wet themselves with excitement as you drive by
Dell Boy, thanks for the advice, I've been in touch with Steve before now, and they seem to have a very good service. But for small things it's actually better (by Steve's own admission) to ship yourself. When you get around the gearbox/engine size, then they become the economical choice. Appreciate the heads up tho!
ANYWAY, someone was trying find out about brake booster seals, I recall...
Cheers
Theo
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Joined: Dec 1999
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They are pretty easy to rebuild.
I however suspect the problem is the floating valve, it's in the tube where the rod goes into behind the foam filter and it's held in by a serrated retaining ring, sometimes the retaining ring pops out and the booster won't hold a vacuum. Just pull out the foam filter and check if the ring is in place, if in doubt pull it out bend the teeth so it'll grip and put it back in
I however suspect the problem is the floating valve, it's in the tube where the rod goes into behind the foam filter and it's held in by a serrated retaining ring, sometimes the retaining ring pops out and the booster won't hold a vacuum. Just pull out the foam filter and check if the ring is in place, if in doubt pull it out bend the teeth so it'll grip and put it back in
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Jan 15, 2007 at 03:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Hazerswoude-Rijndijk Zuid Holland
Lucky me
Sorry didn't see the topic earlier, because kts.de had sales weekend (50%) off. I just ordered an new brake booster for €150 .
They have that 3-4 times per year, subscribe to their news letter. If you need anything I or most dutch members are willing to translate to English. you can also ask them.
Good luck with the rebuild
.They have that 3-4 times per year, subscribe to their news letter. If you need anything I or most dutch members are willing to translate to English. you can also ask them.
Good luck with the rebuild
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 601
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From: Nottingham
TT, interesting, thanks.
I obviously need to get my teeth into this properly before assuming it's broken internal seals. I did actually wonder if it's just the one-way valve that's died, will look into that also. I can see the thing coming apart at some point in the not-too-distant future, as I'd like to get it re-plated anyway.
cajos, thanks for the info - just had a quick look round the kts website, seems like a good outfit. My German is pretty rusty (tens years or more since I learned!), but I can get a general gist of what's going on!
I obviously need to get my teeth into this properly before assuming it's broken internal seals. I did actually wonder if it's just the one-way valve that's died, will look into that also. I can see the thing coming apart at some point in the not-too-distant future, as I'd like to get it re-plated anyway.
cajos, thanks for the info - just had a quick look round the kts website, seems like a good outfit. My German is pretty rusty (tens years or more since I learned!), but I can get a general gist of what's going on!
