If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

[Ed H.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Of all the pain involved, I don't recollect only being able to turn the ratchet a 1/4 turn. I did use a long extension. And the threads on a new booster may be perfect, but if a nut gets cross threaded while you're working upside down, and discovering your shoulder joints aren't what they once were, you'll love to know the solution is a hand, and can be done without taking the booster out...

[Patrick H.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

I see. Get the young ones to do it.

Actually, we rotated.
Neither one of us wanted to stay in that position too long.

[Christopher K.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Larry,
As mentioned numerous times this is NOT a fun job. I was about ten years younger when I did mine on a 72 four speed with the dash in place. If you use a 1/4” ratchet with extension and universal it makes the job a little easier. Another thing I remember is when reinstalling put some masking tape in the socket to hold the nut. And take that seat out, only 4 bolts and well worth it. Have beer available.
Good Luck!

[Larry M.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Chris,

Thanks. I hadn't considered 1/4" drive tools; that sounds like a good alternative.

Do you recall any interference with your neutral safety switch when working on the upper outboard stud?

Larry

[Christopher K.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Larry,
I don’t remember it being an issue although everything is very tight up there. The 1/4” tool definitely helps. A mirror came in handy too. Take your time and don’t be afraid to walk away.

[Mark E.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Chris,

Thanks. I hadn't considered 1/4" drive tools; that sounds like a good alternative.

Do you recall any interference with your neutral safety switch when working on the upper outboard stud?

Larry

What's all this talk about neutral safety switches and 4-speed cars?

[Lawrence M.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

What's all this talk about neutral safety switches and 4-speed cars?

Just think clutch pedal safety switch.

[Larry M.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Wow! I should have known better. Yes, that's obviously the correct term.

That's what retirement does to me...

[Justin S.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

How do you test for a possible leaky booster?

[Edward J.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Justin, there can be a couple of things to look for, first listin under the dash for a hissing noise when at idle or slightly stepping on brake pedal. Another was Is to block off the vacuum supply and listen for a RPM speed increase.depending on just how bad the booster is leaking it could be causing the engine to run rough at idle.

[Larry M.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

I had to remove the steering column (and clutch cross-shaft, for what it's worth) in order to extract the leaking steering gear box so I can send it out for repair. With the column out of the way, I decided to see what progress I could make with the booster.

I'm happy to say that with a deep socket, swivel u-joint and 24" extension, I removed three of the four nuts in less than four minutes, with probably a total of 60 seconds of air ratchet operation spread over the three. And with the driver's seat still in place.

I'm not too happy to say that I can't even SEE the fourth nut (upper, outboard). It's hidden behind the clutch safety switch. At this point, with the column out, I'm considering loosening the lower dash pad and seeing if I can lower it just a bit to sneak an extension in through the gap between it and the upper dash pad. But that won't be today.

[Larry M.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

Yesterday I spent far too long on my back under the dash trying, in vain, as it turned out, to maneuver my fingers/hand to access that last nut. No luck whatsoever. I could see, at best, 1/4 arc of the nut.

Giving up that plan, I loosened up the dash pads, upper and left lower, but the gap I ended up with between the two was of no help; visibility of the nut and access to it was non-existent.

I reluctantly decided to remove the upper and lower pad; it was an extreme measure, but I was committed to finishing the job. With the pads out, I was able to get a socket, u-joint swivel and extension onto the nut and remove it; but even with that access it was still very difficult to get the socket seated onto the nut and keep it there while loosening it. Here's my access point:

IMG_3298.jpg


And here's the overall view:

IMG_3299.jpg

This was a lot more work than I expected, but I'm happy to have gotten the booster out. My hats off to you folk that were able to do so without resorting to the extreme measures I took; I've no idea how you did it.

Larry

[James W.]

Re: If you have ever removed a brake booster on a 1972 (or related C3) 4-speed...

If I had a quarter for every time I heard my dad say "James... come here" when I was a kid. It was usually when he was working under the dash of his C2's and C3's.

I sure learned a lot!


James West

I see. Get the young ones to do it.