Having difficulty disassembling power brake booster

7517 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by MaineVette, Jun 17, 2007

MaineVette

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2007

Ok, so I've been trying to disassemble my power brake booster for the last hour and a half or so with no luck. What I'm struggling with is getting the front and rear shells separated. Is there a special trick to this? I realize the chassis overhaul manual calls for using a specialty tool, and that the housing is spring loaded, but it seems that you should be able to do the disassemble the booster without the specialty tool (especially since the spring doesn't seem to be very strong).

I've already done a bit of hammering to try and spin the housings, but I don't want to end up damaging them. I also spraryed the hosing flanges with lubricant to try and help ease things along with no luck.

Anybody have some ideas?

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TwinTurbo

· #2 · Jun 9, 2007

It's a bajonet type lock, just clamp the side w/ the studs in a vise and carefully tap on the "tabs" of the other half to rotate it past the bajonet locks. There are a couple of locking "sections" where the case is tapped in toi prevent the other half from rotating loose. It's just very very tight. Use a drift and tap the drift w/ a hammr. Hammering directly on the tabs will damage it guaranteed.

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MaineVette

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 9, 2007

That's what I've been trying so far, I guess I'll just have to hammer a bit harder! No guts, no glory, right?

Thanks!

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TwinTurbo

· #4 · Jun 9, 2007

did you bent those sections back where the case is dimpled to keep it from spinning? Kind of hard to explain this one.

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mrvette

· #5 · Jun 9, 2007

TwinTurbo said:
did you bent those sections back where the case is dimpled to keep it from spinning? Kind of hard to explain this one.

TT is correct in his callout of course,...but I gotta ask WHY?? MY booster was more or less functional....and when I tore it up but good trying to get it apart nicely....I could find NO obvious malfunctions/failures/wear anywhere in it....when taking out the check valve, it sucked air pretty good....

still did't work worth a damn though....

I went to hydroboost brake booster like many of the guys, and now sharkey tips on his nose....

allmost a year now since install, and except for the brake hose swelling and locking a front rotor, those brakes have been PERFECT.....longest time ever with a GREAT set of mostly STOCK configuration brakes on any GM car I have ever owned....and I been on the road for ~45 years now....

IMO, GM vacuum boosters....suck....

:devil: :WTF :cheers:

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SIXFOOTER

· #6 · Jun 10, 2007

I think this is what TT was talking about
Hope it helps

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TwinTurbo

· #7 · Jun 10, 2007

Yes, ah okay.. staked is what they call it. That's exactly what I mean.

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MaineVette

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 10, 2007

Thanks guys, I'm hoping to make it back out to the garage today and give it another shot. I'll let you know how it works out. :thumbsup:

The reason I'm taking it apart is two-fold. First I want to check things out inside because the power brakes just didn't seem very powerful at all (seemed like there were no power brakes at all). Second, I want to thoroughly clean up the outer housing and repaint it before putting it back in the car.

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peterey

· #9 · Jun 16, 2007

Great restoration site

MaineVette,
I just wanted to say that's an incredible site you put together on the restoration of your 71 BB. If you guys haven't been out to the link thats listed in MaineVetts signature you should. Its definately worth the trip. :thumbsup:
Unfortunately I can't help you with your booster question. I purchased a remanufactured booster instead of rebuilding it myself but it looks like your getting input from the right people. These guys never fail to impress me with their knowledge.

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MaineVette

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 17, 2007

peterey said:
MaineVette,
I just wanted to say that's an incredible site you put together on the restoration of your 71 BB. If you guys haven't been out to the link thats listed in MaineVetts signature you should. Its definately worth the trip. :thumbsup:
Unfortunately I can't help you with your booster question. I purchased a remanufactured booster instead of rebuilding it myself but it looks like your getting input from the right people. These guys never fail to impress me with their knowledge.

Thanks Peterey, the website is definitely a lot of work, but if it helps other folks out it's worth the effort. :thumbsup:

As a quick update, I gave up on disassembling the brake booster. After trying to get it apart for about 2 hours I came to the realization that, even if I did get it apart, I could never get it put back together again! Those two halves are together waaaay too tight. So, for now I'm just cleaning the booster up so it's a bit more presentable. If when I get the car all together the booster really isn't cutting it I'll just replace it. It may be expensive, but it'll be worth it to save the headache.

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