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Tips
Tips

It must be easy

droy

Member
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Well, I posted a request for any tips on problems I might encounter while installing my new servo in my BJ8 and got no response. I guess it's so obvious how to do it that it didn't deserve an answer.

I'm not a virgin to wrenching under the hood, but i'm not a pro either. I just wnated to head of any known problems in the process.

I just hope the car stops from the brakes and not a stationary object when I get back on the road.
wink.gif
 
Sorry that you didn't get any responses. I don't know a thing about how to do it, & no pics either. I assumed someone who knows would pick it up. Maybe this time?
D
 
I put one on my BN4 when I changed to disk brakes on the front. The bracket is a bit of a puzzle, but once that is put in place the rest is easy. You will need a new brake line, I bought mine at NAPA. When you bleed the system, open up the brake line to bleed the unit also.

Jerry
BN4 with front disk brakes!
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dave Russell:
Sorry that you didn't get any responses. I don't know a thing about how to do it, D<hr></blockquote>

Not owning a servo-equipped car I have no info either. Given the number of times I've read of folks having servo leaks (which obviously have an effect on vacuum as well) I've often wondered what would be the effect on pedal pressure/
stopping efficiency, etc. were the servo disconnected. There can't be that much weight difference between side-curtain versus roll-up cars, though I know that the latter had larger brakes. Has anyone done this?
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Oritt:

I've often wondered what would be the effect on pedal pressure/stopping efficiency, etc. were the servo disconnected.
<hr></blockquote>
I don't know for sure, but I suspect that AH followed the general automotive trend. The non servo cars have more hydraulic leverage. Different master cylinder & or caliper bore diameters. I think that the brakes with servo removed would have a very heavy pedal & would require changing back to the earlier hydraulics with more leverage. It's a trade off between pedal effort & pedal travel. Not everyone thinks that the servo was an improvement, as the servo pedal pressure is TOO light & hard to modulate for some. Kind of personal preference.
D
 
We disconnected the servo on my Dad's BJ8 years ago because he just kept having one problem after another with leaks, etc. When I drive my BN6 and then his BJ8 immediately afterwards, I really can't tell that much of a difference in the braking.

Now acceleration is another story....do you think he would notice if I switched engines with him next time he is gone on a few weeks vacation???
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I did disconnect the servo and drove it that way for 6 months. There was certainly a difference in pressure needed to apply the brakes, but nothing that was not manageable. Then the brake fluid started leaking again so I decided I might as well replace the servo while I'm working over the system. Once i recieved the servo and started looking at things, I realized there was more to it. Hose, bracket, and I believe even a valve are involved. I'm sure with some time, I will figure it out.
 
How 'bout filling us in on your experience when you're done. Seems like there isn't much knowledge on this, and you can help plug the gap.
 
Droy,

I installed a Lockheed servo in my BJ8 to replace one that was too far gone to rebuild. While doing it I also made up all new brake lines. The installation is straight forward. The directions that I got with mine suggested bolting it to the passenger side sill plate and not the passenger foot well. I did that and it worked out quite well. However, the servo started leaking internally after only a short time. I took it apart and found out that the factory had assembled it wrong. I put it back together the right way and it has worked well ever since. It really is quite easy to install. Just make sure that you properly bleed the brakes. By the way, I am using synthetic oil and after about 5 years it still is performing well, wth good solid braking.

Larry
 
I replaced the servo in my BJ8 years ago. I sorta remember that the bracket was a pain but the rest was straightforward.

I had disconnected the servo on my previous BJ8, and remember that the pedal effort increased, but not to an unacceptable level.
 
If you remove the servo on a BJ8 you have to replace the brake master cylinder to the non-servo model to get "acceptable" braking pressures. Mine works great, but not before changing the master cylinder. Dave (above) explains the reasons why. My intent is to provide a "I did it and it works OK" comment.
Regards, Stever
 
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