Replacing Power Brake Booster (1988)
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Replacing Power Brake Booster (1988)
It looks like I need to replace the power booster on my '88 (pedal is hard as a rock - doesn't seem to have any power assist). Any tips on how to remove the two nuts located on the firewall (inside the car) that attach the booster to the firewall?
#2
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The "detailed" disassembly instructions in my FSM state "remove:
1. Nuts attaching MC to the rods.
2. MC.
3. Vac hose from vac check valve.
4. Pushrod end of valve assy. from brake pedal.
5. Nuts from the rods.
6. Power Head assy. from cowl.
Can't you get a wrench onto those nuts?
1. Nuts attaching MC to the rods.
2. MC.
3. Vac hose from vac check valve.
4. Pushrod end of valve assy. from brake pedal.
5. Nuts from the rods.
6. Power Head assy. from cowl.
Can't you get a wrench onto those nuts?
#3
Team Owner
Thread Starter
The "detailed" disassembly instructions in my FSM state "remove:
1. Nuts attaching MC to the rods.
2. MC.
3. Vac hose from vac check valve.
4. Pushrod end of valve assy. from brake pedal.
5. Nuts from the rods.
6. Power Head assy. from cowl.
Can't you get a wrench onto those nuts?
1. Nuts attaching MC to the rods.
2. MC.
3. Vac hose from vac check valve.
4. Pushrod end of valve assy. from brake pedal.
5. Nuts from the rods.
6. Power Head assy. from cowl.
Can't you get a wrench onto those nuts?
#4
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2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
booster
Isnt there 4 bolts inside? Anyway, take the seat out, use lots of swivels and extensions, and a good flashlight. Its do able. You may need a helper to hold the unit in place when you put it on. Good luck, A project you wont forget about for a while. I still have memories of that project 5 years ago.
Corvette Mike
Corvette Mike
Last edited by CorvetteMike2024; 02-04-2009 at 07:58 PM.
#5
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Isnt there 4 bolts inside? Anyway, take the seat out, use lots of swivels and extensions, and a good flashlight. Its do able. You may need a helper to hold the unit in place when you put it on. Good luck, A project you forget about for a while. I still have memories of that project 5 years ago.
Corvette Mike
Corvette Mike
#7
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Thread Starter
While replacing a heater core is quite possibly the worst job to do on most any car, I've heard it's an absolute nightmare on a C4. Something to look forward to......
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Isnt there 4 bolts inside? Anyway, take the seat out, use lots of swivels and extensions, and a good flashlight. Its do able. You may need a helper to hold the unit in place when you put it on. Good luck, A project you wont forget about for a while. I still have memories of that project 5 years ago.
Corvette Mike
Corvette Mike
Well, it took me like an hour to get that nut threaded by using :
lots of swivels and extensions
I should have taken the time to remove the seat......but nooooooooo, I didn't want to be a girly-man.....
When you get the job done, pay yourself $500, you'll feel like you earned it !!
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#11
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BTW, there was a 4" crack in the housing of the old booster. I'm not sure what would cause that to suddenly happen, but whatever the reason, I'm happy to have brakes again! Now all I need is nice weather so I can play.
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mjlorenson (02-04-2020)
#12
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Congrats !!! You are mans man!!
I totally forgot about that SOB clip on the brake connector rod that you have to remove blindly!! Man, I am re-living the horror through your thread......
Did you enjoy that one nut on the right side of the pedal ?? You know, the one that you can only see with one eye and barely get a socket on it.....
Anyway, glad you got her all fixed up....way to go !!!!!!
I totally forgot about that SOB clip on the brake connector rod that you have to remove blindly!! Man, I am re-living the horror through your thread......
Did you enjoy that one nut on the right side of the pedal ?? You know, the one that you can only see with one eye and barely get a socket on it.....
Anyway, glad you got her all fixed up....way to go !!!!!!
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mjlorenson (02-04-2020)
#17
Safety Car
#18
#19
Intermediate
I agree that even if it is an old thread it contains a lot of great suggestions. I had to replace the booster on my '89 twice. The first time I bought a replacement at NAPA, which went bad (housing cracked) in a couple years. The next time I took the suggestion made by many on this forum to use the metal booster that fits my '89. I think they are actually from other years of Vettes, but it was a direct replacement. I got mine from Zip Corvette. It was P.N. DB-606. I'm hoping it's the last time I have to replace it. At 67 years old it wasn't fun crawling in and out and in and out of the car when I would leave something outside the car that needed to be inside the car, with me laying on my back!
Lynn
Lynn
#20
Pro
Changed my second booster in 9 months. First one was plastic. This time I went with a metal one...........Hope it lasts longer than 9 months. I use long extensions and only have to get all pretzel ed up when installing the pushrod on the brake pedal.