Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

davidh · 03-10-2006, 11:18 PM

I see a lot of junky powerbrake booster forsale or wanted in these forums. Are people buying them for the core?(what do parts houses charge for cores?) Or are they using them as is, rebuilding them?
I have a 67 parts truck with PB and I don't think it has the brace that runs down to the firewall. Did they start doing that on a certain year?
I might have to do this conversion. I like the way the smaller units look from G model cars, say the 79 Malibu I have. Would it work?

cableguy0 · 03-10-2006, 11:33 PM

A lot of people buy them and intend on using them. To me thats pretty scary a 35 year old rubber diaphram that makes the brakes function just doesnt seem like the place to try and save a few bucks and in fact its a dumb@ss place to try and save money by using used worn out parts

boraxman · 03-10-2006, 11:35 PM

I bought mine used and it works fine...if it breaks its not like I wont be able to stop.

I guess I should add my trucks not a daily driver.

Longhorn Man · 03-10-2006, 11:35 PM

The brace started in 71.

Longhorn Man · 03-10-2006, 11:38 PM

i bought mine used... it was that, or drive with a busted one.
New boosters cost more than my truck cost.

PICKMUP · 03-11-2006, 12:07 AM

I see a lot of used boosters, many off running trucks...but, I always vacuum test them. Most///90%, won't hold vacuum and are just not up to full capacity. They may work, but not as well as they should.
I clean up the brackets, make sure they are complete and correct, then put rebuilt boosters on them and sell them for about half the price of new sets.
There are three different sizes (four if you count the two: Delco & Moraine for half ton)...1/2T disc & drum the same, 3/4T drum dual diaphram (smaller and work good on 1/2Ts too) and finally the big 3/4T disc dual diaphram (can be used on half ton if MC is included---and they stop like a bandit).
Just remember to double check everything when adding PB.

woodridge · 03-11-2006, 12:16 AM

I actually took a 30 year old booster apart a few weeks ago and was amazed when I opened it up, it looked like new. All rubber componenants inside where supple, no cracking, separation or any signs of deterioration.
As Borax said, it's not like your not going to stop if it breaks.
I priced a rebuilt one from NAPA and my cost (wholesale) was $109. plus core,$28. All this said, I'll still probably go used.

dougs69c10 · 03-11-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodridge

I actually took a 30 year old booster apart a few weeks ago and was amazed when I opened it up, it looked like new. All rubber componenants inside where supple, no cracking, separation or any signs of deterioration.
As Borax said, it's not like your not going to stop if it breaks.
I priced a rebuilt one from NAPA and my cost (wholesale) was $109. plus core,$28. All this said, I'll still probably go used.

you sure you are gettin wholesale, I just looked one up today at work (napa) and that was our walk in price, our wholesale price was 96.xx. Either you have an independently owned one, or they dont like you

woodridge · 03-11-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougs69c10

you sure you are gettin wholesale, I just looked one up today at work (napa) and that was our walk in price, our wholesale price was 96.xx. Either you have an independently owned one, or they dont like you

It is a company store and that was the price schedule for the school system.There are more than one wholesale price schedules, depends on the volume of buisiness. I have run into that before.

Dennisthemenace · 03-11-2006, 08:14 PM

This company sells new brackets, rebuild kits ,brake boosters etc.(vendors only

). www.mbmbrakeboosters.com

sdkid · 03-11-2006, 01:13 AM

A new booster does not come with brackets or hardware. The asking price is worth those alone. Reuse of the used booster is a personal choice. If mine is good, I will use it. A new one will be purchased as needed.

Americanrider · 03-11-2006, 05:24 AM

I install the lower leg brace when I upgraded to a booster on my 67 K20 in Dec. Just drilled one hole through the lower firewall/upper floor and bolted it down. It was easy because I had the inner & outer fender off at the time and had the room to work. Still have not figured out how to mount the side brace bar ... yet, I may go without it.

krue · 03-11-2006, 09:16 AM

If it works, it works. That's money I can spend to fix something that doesn't work.

muddpile · 03-11-2006, 04:00 PM

How come no one sells new brackets and rods? Are they impossible to re-manufacture, or is there just that little demand for them? I've looked a lot of places and never found.

03-10-2006, 11:18 PM	#1
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,221	Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? I see a lot of junky powerbrake booster forsale or wanted in these forums. Are people buying them for the core?(what do parts houses charge for cores?) Or are they using them as is, rebuilding them? I have a 67 parts truck with PB and I don't think it has the brace that runs down to the firewall. Did they start doing that on a certain year? I might have to do this conversion. I like the way the smaller units look from G model cars, say the 79 Malibu I have. Would it work?

03-10-2006, 11:33 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? A lot of people buy them and intend on using them. To me thats pretty scary a 35 year old rubber diaphram that makes the brakes function just doesnt seem like the place to try and save a few bucks and in fact its a dumb@ss place to try and save money by using used worn out parts __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

03-10-2006, 11:35 PM	#3
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,921	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? I bought mine used and it works fine...if it breaks its not like I wont be able to stop. I guess I should add my trucks not a daily driver. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351 Last edited by boraxman; 03-10-2006 at 11:38 PM.

03-10-2006, 11:35 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? The brace started in 71.

03-10-2006, 11:38 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? i bought mine used... it was that, or drive with a busted one. New boosters cost more than my truck cost.

03-11-2006, 12:07 AM	#6
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? I see a lot of used boosters, many off running trucks...but, I always vacuum test them. Most///90%, won't hold vacuum and are just not up to full capacity. They may work, but not as well as they should. I clean up the brackets, make sure they are complete and correct, then put rebuilt boosters on them and sell them for about half the price of new sets. There are three different sizes (four if you count the two: Delco & Moraine for half ton)...1/2T disc & drum the same, 3/4T drum dual diaphram (smaller and work good on 1/2Ts too) and finally the big 3/4T disc dual diaphram (can be used on half ton if MC is included---and they stop like a bandit). Just remember to double check everything when adding PB.

03-11-2006, 12:16 AM	#7
woodridge Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maynardville, Tn Posts: 3,030	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? I actually took a 30 year old booster apart a few weeks ago and was amazed when I opened it up, it looked like new. All rubber componenants inside where supple, no cracking, separation or any signs of deterioration. As Borax said, it's not like your not going to stop if it breaks. I priced a rebuilt one from NAPA and my cost (wholesale) was $109. plus core,$28. All this said, I'll still probably go used. __________________ SEMA Network- Protect our Hobby! 71 C30 in pieces, starting to come together. Click here for A Place For Tennessee Truck Enthusiest To Meet

03-11-2006, 08:14 PM	#10
Dennisthemenace Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands(europe) Posts: 108	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? This company sells new brackets, rebuild kits ,brake boosters etc.(vendors only). www.mbmbrakeboosters.com __________________ Please excuse me for my bad English writing I'm Dutch The land of $6.65 for a gallon of gas Last edited by Dennisthemenace; 03-11-2006 at 08:14 PM.

03-11-2006, 01:13 AM	#11
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? A new booster does not come with brackets or hardware. The asking price is worth those alone. Reuse of the used booster is a personal choice. If mine is good, I will use it. A new one will be purchased as needed. __________________ I think the world needs a drink... Help somebody...If you can....VanZant We're not wrong, we're not sorry, and its probably gonna happen again. That's the truth about men. Tracy Byrd Member# 13924 '70 c10, 350/350 '68 c10 250/4spd '68 c10 no eng/trans fac ps/pb/ac/at (future father/sons project) '48 Chevy Loadmaster

03-11-2006, 05:24 AM	#12
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? I install the lower leg brace when I upgraded to a booster on my 67 K20 in Dec. Just drilled one hole through the lower firewall/upper floor and bolted it down. It was easy because I had the inner & outer fender off at the time and had the room to work. Still have not figured out how to mount the side brace bar ... yet, I may go without it.

03-11-2006, 09:16 AM	#13
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? If it works, it works. That's money I can spend to fix something that doesn't work. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" Last edited by krue; 03-11-2006 at 09:16 AM.

03-11-2006, 04:00 PM	#14
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	Re: Whats up with used pwr brake boosters? How come no one sells new brackets and rods? Are they impossible to re-manufacture, or is there just that little demand for them? I've looked a lot of places and never found. __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open



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