Replacing Power Brake Booster (1988)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Hillsboro OR
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?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
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?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,465
Likes: 114
From: Hillsboro OR
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?
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Posts: 6,800
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From: So. Cal.
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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; Feb 4, 2009 at 07:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,465
Likes: 114
From: Hillsboro OR
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
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Posts: 6,800
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From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
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booster
Have you experienced the "heater core replacement" job yet? That one will leave you with memories also.
Corvette Mike
Corvette Mike
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Hillsboro OR
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 132
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From: Austin Texas
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
1/4" swivels and extensions. Been about 3 years since I've done a booster, and my back still hurts. I remember thinking "Sh*T, if I get that 13mm nut off, how the hell will I ever get it back on?"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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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Its do-able but not an easy fix. Been there, done that. Use a socket with two swivels and one extension. Level of pain/difficulty----its a cross between a root canal and a vasectomy. 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 132
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From: Austin Texas
I found it easier to pass a kidney stone than replacing a booster. ....it would be nice if the booster mfg. would also supply 40cc of demoral...at least this way you could contort your body every which way but loose and not feel a thing !!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,465
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From: Hillsboro OR
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.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 132
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From: Austin Texas
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 !!!!!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: Hillsboro OR
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From: Jyväskylä, FINLAND
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Uniontown MO
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
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 655
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From: Vancouver Washington
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.