66 Power Brake Booster - How do I separate the shells?

[Donald H.]

My booster needs to be rebuilt and I will be sending it to Steve Gregori. I've sent him a note to ask, but I assume I need to remove any rust pitting before I send it off. To really get at it, I need to separate the shells. I have the Chassis Overhaul Manual and it has some information and that is what I am trying to follow. As you can see in the photos I have attached, I have nuts on the front studs that the master cylinder bolt to and I have blocks of wood around these in a vice to protect them. I have been trying to use two large screw drivers through the hole in the rear mounting bracket, but can't get anything to budge.

I suspect that I just don't have enough leverage yet and need to get something longer and stronger than the screw drivers, but I don't want to break anything either. Any advice on how to separate the halves?

Thanks,

Don HarrisDSC_0134.jpgDSC_0135.jpg

[Monte M.]

Re: 66 Power Brake Booster - How do I separate the shells?

Don,
You are on the right track. If you remove the front cup, you will see a big spring inside the booster. After the cup is out of the way, slide the spring to one side and slip the top lip of the spring out.
Then, spin the spring, rotating it so it just spins its way out of the booster case.
This will help in separating the halves of the booster to not have to fight the spring pressure as well.
Hold the booster as you have it in the picture. The screw driver you are using will work, but it really is small for the job.
Find some bigger leverage and have someone else tap around the edges as you apply leverage.
This should do the trick.
Once you have it open, you will see how simple the boosters actually are.
Best of luck and I hope this helps.

Monte

[Mike M.]

Re: 66 Power Brake Booster - How do I separate the shells?

lubricate the mating surfaces of the two halves before using larger screwdriver. mike

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 Power Brake Booster - How do I separate the shells?

Thanks, I'll tackle it again.