Power Brake Booster

Steve81OR · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:33 am Post subject: Power Brake Booster

Today I pulled one of the biggest "what the h3ll was I thinking" moves since starting this project. OK, I it's not really all that bad, but I can't believe I wasn't paying attention.

My car originally came as a bone-stock '81, no frills, no options, no fun. The first thing I did was rip out the 3.8L V6 and (groan) 3 speed manual tranny, and drop in a rebuilt 355 ci engine and TH350 transmission. I removed the unused clutch pedal, but kept the skinny brake pedal until I could find a replacement. On a one of my excursions to the local car cemetery I found a full size brake pedal a few months ago and decided to put it in today. I should have stayed in bed, I should have cleaned my gutters... I should have done anything else.

Removing the bolt that holds the pedal under the dash was no picnic, but I managed to contort my body enough to get it off. Putting it back in was another story. I somehow managed to miss the hole in the pedal assembly and didn't notice it. I tightened down the bolt, but didn't notice it. I tested the dang pedal by hand, but didn't notice it. I did, however, notice it as soon as I started the car, stepped on the brake and put it in gear. I nearly hit the neighbors car when I realized the pedal was hard as a rock and crammed my foot into it to stop.

I remounted the pedal correctly and thought I was all done. Then realized the pedal was still hard as a rock, and still wouldn't stop the car. So I got out and stuck my head under the dash one more time, knowing I couldn't have mounted it wrong twice. I hadn't, but I could hear air escaping. I was coming from around rubber boot that plunges into the booster.

I removed the booster and found out I managed to push my foot into it so hard that I broke the plastic "tube" that sticks through the firewall, and I guess I punctured the rubber bladder inside or something.

I'll pick up a new booster tomorrow, no big deal. But I can't believe how careless I was.
_________________

1981 Chevy El Camino
1991 Chevy S10
"The only thing collecting dust in my garage... is my broom"

MEvang · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:27 am Post subject:

Man that sucks, the plastic part that sticks out just holds a foam muffler material. But it sounds like you push the shaft sideway. It should only hiss the moment you hit the pedal. If it does it all the time the booster valve is damaged.
Mike
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"That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced." (Scientific American January 2, 1909).