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Hello — I’m in the process of building a 71 restomod and I’ve made my way to the engine bay and dash. I have to pull down the dash to install some new RTX gauges pretty soon. While I’m at it, I hope to have improved access to help me install a new brake booster. Anyone know if pulling the dash will make a difference? Is there a panel that comes out behind the dash that’ll give me better access to that upper left booster stud?
This car is a manual and the 3rd pedal, along with the clutch switch, are right in the way. I removed the old booster already and that nut was a bear to get out. I can’t imagine getting the nut back on the new booster without having improved access.
You just need to remove the seat and use a long extension with 1 or 2 universal joints with a deep extension.
Once you break the nuts loose, you can reach your arm up there to remove them.
Not as hard as some cf people think.
some tape wrapped around the universal joint will stiffen it. That will help, trust me.
Test the clevis thru the booster connector to ensure it will fit ALL the way thru. DAMHIKT!
There is an adjustment to make to ensure the booster will connect with the master cylinder. Someone will know these details and how to adjust it. Some boosters come with a gauge tool for this.
Anyone know if pulling the dash will make a difference? YES! That's the only way I was able to access the upper left stud. Others (on the other forum) said they were able to reach it with the dash in place. I have no idea how they did it. Is there a panel that comes out behind the dash that’ll give me better access to that upper left booster stud? NO. I also had the driver's seat and steering column out on mine. Here's the access point I used:
This car is a manual and the 3rd pedal, along with the clutch switch, are right in the way. I had the clutch rod disconnected from the cross-shaft, and all the clutch return springs disconnected which allowed the clutch pedal to drop to the floor, giving access.
Thoughts?I pity the poor service techs that ever had to replace one of these.
It can be done; just keep reminding yourself!
Last edited by Catfish4818; Mar 26, 2021 at 09:54 PM.
I love this forum. Thanks guys! These pictures and insight are exactly what I needed. My dash is definitely coming out, so I’m looking forward to having better access to get that damn nut on.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Pull the steering column. It's easier than most think but most folks won't and will take an hour or more trying to get the booster nuts off when if they had spent 30 minutes or less to remove the steering column it would've been so much easier to remove the booster nuts. Then the entire dash can be easily removed for maintenance/repairs with less risk to damaging the dash or dash pad. Unless one has removed the booster many times, its a b1tch to do the first time and will take a lot longer than if the steering column had been removed.
some tape wrapped around the universal joint will stiffen it. That will help, trust me.
Test the clevis thru the booster connector to ensure it will fit ALL the way thru. DAMHIKT!
There is an adjustment to make to ensure the booster will connect with the master cylinder. Someone will know these details and how to adjust it. Some boosters come with a gauge tool for this.
Pull the steering column. It's easier than most think but most folks won't and will take an hour or more trying to get the booster nuts off when if they had spent 30 minutes or less to remove the steering column it would've been so much easier to remove the booster nuts. Then the entire dash can be easily removed for maintenance/repairs with less risk to damaging the dash or dash pad. Unless one has removed the booster many times, its a b1tch to do the first time and will take a lot longer than if the steering column had been removed.
Here was my secret weapon. It made it way easier to R&R the brake booster:
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Dash removal and brake booster install
