Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

[Greg S.]

I have almost accepted defeat. I have removed the drivers seat, the steering column and the drivers dash panel. After a few hours and removing three of the four booster bolts I have called it a day and hope for a new perspective tomorrow. The fourth bolt cannot be seen or felt. A search of the archives says it's a bear but possible with long extensions and 3/8 drive. They must have been talking about an automatic equipped car. Mine is a four speed. The clutch linkage and the start switch obscure any view or path to the fourth bolt. If anyone has done this to a four speed before and has any suggestions or moral support I would appreciate it. It looks like the clutch linkage and start switch will have to come out to get to the bolt. At least I needed to get the column and dash out for another job so it's not a total bust so far. Car is a 75 with air conditioning.

[John M.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

Greg, I have done this and can tell you that my booster has only 3 bolts now. I think the clutch rod and the switch were all that I removed. And I hate to say uncle but my body can only take so much.
John

[Patrick H.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

I agree - its the worst.

I'm with John - clutch switch and brake switch were all I removed. Column, seat and dash all stayed in place.

Here's a photo of my son helping me on the latest one. We had to take turns under the dash, as there was just so much time we could lay there before getting a headache.

Patrick

[Greg S.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

image.jpgBooster removed today, finally. Had to remove clutch switch and clutch shaft to get socket to the bolt. Used extended socket with swivel joint 12 inch extension to another swivel joint and ratchet as suggested on the board. It will be tough to get the nut back on as there is no room for a hand and fingers. The clutch switch bracket bolt will be tough also. I hope it all goes back together.

Sent very rusted booster to Booster Dewey in Portland for restoration and rebuild. On to the rest of the brake system. Will be sending master cylinder and calipers out for restoration.

[Tom B.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

Greg.... I inslalled Power brakes on a 71 4spd car for a friend 5yr ago. It was a bear. I did get that nut on somehow i think i affixed it to the socket and somehow got it started.

[Jim T.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

Greg I removed the booster from my 1970 turbo 400 just to paint it, no repair was needed. With factory air I only removed the air conditioning ducts. The main problem I remember is just removing the interference fitting nuts from start to removal of the bolt nuts. I reinstalled the same nuts because I am somewhat stubborn. I guess, however if I had to do this again I am pretty sure I would buy new nuts that that can be installed with fingers on the bolts.

[Steve L.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

Instead of the stock upper left nut, I replaced it with one of those long hex coupling nuts used to join 2 rods together. This coupling nut is about 1.5 inches long. It makes access to this location many many times easier. I put the original nut back on in the lower right location so I wouldn't lose it. So this location has a double nut on it.

Not only is the stock nut hard to take off, it is also hard to put back on. Not only do you need an array of swivel joints/extensions but a great part of the problem is that you cannot even see or feel the nut. A hex coupling nut deletes at least one extension and you can also feel the hex coupling nut when aligning the socket to the nut. The stock nut is too short to feel the socket going onto it.

Ya, I know it isn't stock, but nobody is going to see it. And if a judge really wants to make that effort, then he deserves a bottle of Jack Daniels on me.

[Larry M.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

For many years, I've wanted to remove the power booster to repaint it; and while it's out, remove and repaint the vacuum reservoir tank trapped below it, too.

Threads like this have always made me glad I never acted on that thought.

[Larry M.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

Greg,Have you received your restored booster yet? If so, would you mind posting a couple of photos? I'm very interested in seeing the results.Larry

[Bill C.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

use a 1/4 drive setup

i used extensions that had the pivit/swivel end on them.
i used a 24", a 8" and a 2" coupled together with a deep well 1/2 socket.

the 1/4 drive extensions are skinny enough to get between the clutch rod/pedal and all the small junk in the way.

I don't think I removed the neutral safety witch, just the wire/plug.
I know for sure I did not take out the steering column or dash at all.


bill

[Greg S.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

Booster rebuilt with Pits.jpgBooster restored and repainted.jpgwas badly pitted when I sent it to be restored. It came back rebuilt with black paint covering the pits. No effort was made to cosmetically restore the booster. I had to sand it, fill the pits and repaint it myself. Make sure you ask if it will be restored or just rebuilt. First pic is rebuilt with pits painted. Second is after I restored and repainted.

[Graeme B.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

The booster was the start of my restoration. I hate that booster !!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

[ATTACH=CONFIG]64440[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]64441[/ATTACH]was badly pitted when I sent it to be restored. It came back rebuilt with black paint covering the pits. No effort was made to cosmetically restore the booster. I had to sand it, fill the pits and repaint it myself. Make sure you ask if it will be restored or just rebuilt. First pic is rebuilt with pits painted. Second is after I restored and repainted.

In restrospect for the one I sent them I should have asked for it to be returned unpainted, or just primed.
While it works very well the sheen of black was completely incorrect. I sanded it and repainted it as well.

One would think that you would repaint a gloss black booster in gloss, but I guess that would be too easy.

[Larry M.]

Re: Removing a C3 power brake booster- The worst Corvette job ever

Greg,
Thanks for posting the photo. It raises a very good point about making certain how a particular item will look upon it's return from restoration.
Larry