Girling brake booster

[BOBBYR]

Hi Guys,
I hope everyone is doing fine. I was wondering, if anyone has rebuilt a girling power brake booster. If anyone out there has done this rebuild, I would like to know if the job was successful and the problems I might run into.
Thanks
Bobby R

 

[Randy Forbes]

I used to rebuild quite a few of them when I worked at Austin-Healey West. Success rate was something dismal, like 7 out of 10.

I suppose it's always worth an attempt, risking the loss of what the rebuild kit costs these days (?), but my recommendation would be to buy a newly manufactured replacement.

I'd forgo the original looks in favor of safety, but that's just me.

Edit: 70% success rate, not 30%!

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I'm 1 for 1 on a Girling rebuild, with no previous experience.

Randy, what caused all the problems? The vacuum seal? Not much more difficult than a master cylinder rebuild, IMO.

 

[healeynut]

Bobby -

I've had pretty bad experiences with this as well. What happens is POs will disconnect them when they stop working then leave the servo's brake lines open to atmosphere. That will bring in water and eventually corrode the cylinder to varying degrees.

The only fix is usually to have these things re sleeved with SS, as the original Aluminum bores are almost always completely worn out and the corrosion causes premature wear of the rubber seals on the piston.

You can rebuild it, and it will work properly, but I would highly suggest you only do it if you have the cylinder re-sleeved with SS by a specialist.

I have an Australian PBR booster in my BJ8, been working flawlessly for almost 20 years.

 

[Randy Forbes]

I'm 1 for 1 on a Girling rebuild, with no previous experience.

Randy, what caused all the problems? The vacuum seal? Not much more difficult than a master cylinder rebuild, IMO.

I believe it has more to do with the unit you're starting with; very easy to have a drum slightly out of round, would be the likely scenario.

Note that I corrected my prvious post.

BTW, good for you, I did manage to get quite a few to function properly too. :wink:

 

[BOBBYR]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the input. I really like a challenge ,so I'm going to attempt this rebuild.Like you say , the parts aren't that expensive and if it works, I get to keep another original part.So far the only parts that has been replaced on this car is a water pump and the radiator has been recored.
Thanks again for your advice,
Bobby R