I need a second third and fourth opinion. Im working on a 60 pontiac bonneville for my dad. The problem is that the car has no power assist for the brakes. Its got a high REALLY hard pedal. This car also has a factory vaccuum canister. All hoses, check valves and canister are good and hold vaccuum. You put your foot on the brake with the car idling in gear and the engine starts missing and shaking. I put a block of wood under the tire and put it in gear without having my foot on the brake and it idles fine. So, after all of that diagnostic work I figured that it was the booster. Right? So..I pulled the booster and sent it to my local rebuilder and when it came back I reinstalled it. Fired the car up and same thing. So out it came again. Back to the rebuilder. Then I reinstalled it again.......SAME THING!! Called him up and told him and he said that the problem is on my end. He says that I need a gasket that goes in between the booster and the master and if I had that gasket all of my problems would be solved. Anyone else think that this is B/S or am I the idiot. Also, can anyone reccomend a reputable booster rebuilder that is familiar with the older stuff. Thanks!
If it's the solution or not I wouldn't know but you should have the gasket.On mine it's more of a cup, fits in the booster. Seals between the booster and master. Too short a rod could give a hard pedal also.
In my case it was when changing to a duel master, using the same rod gave a hard pedal. May not apply to him thou.
The two times I had a hard pedal problem it always turned out to be a faulty check valve. I don't know if that will cure your problem, but it's a cheap, easy way to eliminate one of the possible causes.
Hmm?? Well I checked the valve by blowing in it one way and it worked and turned it around and could not blow through it. Is there a more scientific approach to this?
He could be full of it but who knows, its sucking somewhere. A thin layer of some 100% clear silicone will find out quick and not stand out.
Thinking a little the "missing and shaking" would indicate a vac leak. Check the hose and intake fitting, after you start the car pull the check valve, was there vac in the booster? With it running listen under the dash for a leak. Did you try the pump the pedal a couple times and start the car, did the pedal drop a little, it's supposed to.
I have heard good things about Booster Dewy but have never used him. http://www.boosterdeweyexchange.com/
I am returning to share the fix. I didnt see your post on booster dewey but I did end up finding him and let me tell you that he is the man!! Very honest! I called some other booster places before I called dewey and they all gave me the run around. I even had some old crotchety man yell at me like I was his grandson. "Im not gonna diagnose it over the phone" !!! All I was trying to ask him is if there was suppose to be some kind of seal between the master and booster. Anyway, I ended up talking to dewey and told him all of my symptoms. He said well it sounds like you have a bad booster, but before we go any further I have a question for you, was the master cyl recently replaced? I told him that yes it was and he said I bet whoever replaced the master didnt put the O ring on the new master. He went on to tell me about how that style booster works and that a square cut seal gets installed on the snout of the master in a groove. The snout then goes into the booster when bolted up. He then proceded to mail me a new seal on the honor system for five bucks. He said just mail me the 5 bucks after you get the seal. So today I recieved the seal in the mail and went over to my dads house. I unbolted the master and slid the seal on and rebolted the master up. I went in the car, fired her and and what do ya kow about that?? POWER BRAKES!!! WooHooo!!!! LOLOLOL!! :beer So Kudos to you booster dewey!! You are on top of your field and I hope my fellow Buick breatherin use your services.
I've seen nothing but praise for booster Dewey:TU: Some rebuilders do still care about customer service,rather than getting your $$$:beer
