Well, having replaced the Brake master booster less than two years ago with a reman part from a second tier parts place. It's failed again. I found that the Vacuum checkvalve broke, sending pieces down into the bottom of the booster.

I bought a new valve and pulled the booster so that I could get all the
broken pieces out. Upon reassembly (wadda bi*ch) there still isnt' any power
assist. :mad Vacuum is good, so that's not the problem.

So. Any hints on a replacement? Having failed miserably one in rebuilding
a Master Cylinder, I'd rather not attempt the booster if it's in any way
tricky. If it isn't, any clues on finding a rebuild kit, or is this another
one of those 'better belly up and buy the GM part' kinda situations?

 

i wouldn't buy anything but ac/delco for most parts ..... however, you may want to try "master power brakes " ..... i'll look for the web address, or you may search .....

 

The below address explains and diagrams how the booster works (if anyone is interested).
http://www.howstuffworks.com/power-brake.htm

 

i got a nice metal booster at discount auto parts, like $120 or something like that. i do not suggest rebuilding the booster yourself. i tried and failed - you need a special tool for tightening it back up.


[Modified by samc, 11:12 PM 8/7/2001]

 

Thanks guys! I'm serisously considering buying the GM part from The Last Detail. (http://www.tld-corvette.com/catalog.htm) It's about $50 more expensive than NAPA ($210 vs. $167), but I want to be assured I don't have to wrench my back getting at those two PITA nuts in the inside firewall again.

 

I have been through this adventure myself. Depending upon the year car you have, you have several options. I think Autozone has a booster for 91 and prior cars. I would go with that because its got a lifetime guarantee and you booster will fail after a few years no matter where you get it from. If its 92 or later, you should look into getting one from a discount GM dealer. I haven't checked this but another forum member told me that he got a new one for 250 from GM which is a pretty good deal compared to the rebuilt ones.

You can also rebuild your unit. I did mine and after several attempts I got it to work. The difficult part for me was to put a couple washers on the correct side as indicated on the diagram. The rebuild kit I got was 56 bucks but there is another kit as well. I recommend getting a new vacuum piston also which may come in the other kit. That part wears with the booster. You will also need some silicon grease. The final assy requires that the distance between the ends of the two bolts that hold it together be a specific value. You can make a gauge to do this from card board or use a caliper. Its an easy measurement to make. The rebuild kit from GM comes instructions and the measurement for the final assy.

Good Luck............

I found the two bolts that hold the unit to the fire wall are easiest to get to with some wobble adapters and by laying OUTSIDE of the car to get to them. The tough part is keeping them from disappering into the carpet or accl pedal bracket.