It's brake time!

[MarkA]

Hello All,

I have been putting off rebuilding the brake servo unit on my 67 BJ8 for the last year. Checking the engine oil level always included checking the brake fluid level and topping it off as needed. Fast stops would occasionally result in a smokey takeoff for the cars behind me. Well, this morning on the way to work, things got a lot worst and the servo cylinder is not holding pressure any longer. A firm push on the brake pedal goes to the floor and the people behind me can't see the car any longer. I disappear in a cloud of white smoke!

The slave cylinders at the wheels appear in good shape. The rear cylinders were replaced by the previous owner within the last 5 years. The front calipers have no leaks and don't seem to bind. The master cylinder isn't leaking.

I need to rebuild the clutch master cylinder to stop the small pressure leak on the carpet. I plan on doing the brake master cylinder as a preventative measure. I am also thinking about new pads, shoes, rotors, and drums to stop the brake pulsations.

Where is the good place to get all of these supplies? Is Moss a good choice? Assuming that I don't need to have anything re-sleeved, I wanted to get this job done this weekend so I will be ordering parts today.

What else am I missing here? Should I also rebuild the calipers? Any suggestions or tips?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Dave Richards]

I purchased new Lucas clutch master cylinder for about $85, slave cylinder about the same, new Lucas brake master cylinder for about $125. These were identical, in every way, to the original ones I took out of the car. I bought them from Midtown ( https://www.britishusedautoparts.com/ ) Talk, or send and e-mail, to Marshall, I'm pretty sure he'll have the parts in stock, though the several feet of new snow has caused many delays and lots of travel problems here.

You may also want to talk with White Post ( https://www.britishusedautoparts.com/ ) to see what they have, or recommend.

 

[Keoke]

Mark, Me thinks you are missing the complexity of rebuilding a Power Assist Brake servo and it certainly can not be done over a weekend. Either send it out to White post as suggested or up to Power Brake exchange here on the west Coast for a rebuild.--Fwiw---Keoke

 

[Dave Richards]

FWIW, I got a new one.

 

[MarkA]

When you look at exploded diagrams, the servo unit doesn't look like much. But I was starting to think that I should probably get everything out of the car and survey the situation a little more.
Keoke, do you have contact information for Power Brake Exchange?

Mark

 

[Randy Forbes]

When I worked at Austin-Healey West (1970s) the going success rate on servo rebuilds (regardless of which tech did the work) was about seven out of ten (7/10).

Maybe that's why I always preferred the non-servo cars...

 

[GregW]

Hi Mark,
I bought a new PBR booster. Issues with rebuilding the original (I have heard) getting a correct seal for the booster piston, and the dry film lubricant that wears off the inside of the big can that the piston moves in.

 

[Dave Richards]

Heard the same things and decided to go with a Lockheed replacement unit about $550. Expensive maybe, but definite.

 

[MarkA]

Greg,

Is the PBR booster from Tom's Import?

 

[GregW]

Yep, seems like a nice guy. He owns a Healey also. The PBR unit comes with a new set of mounting brackets and also has a bleed nipple.

 

[MarkA]

Dave,

Where did you find the Lockheed unit for that price? Did you also need new brackets?

 

[Keoke]

Greg,

Is the PBR booster from Tom's Import?

Yep and I also support that replacement Item too.---Keoke

Information: Power Brake Exchange "Good Shop"
800-232-8866 in CA
or
408-292-1305 Out of state
Addy:
260 Phelan Ave
San Jose CA 95112

 

[MarkA]

Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. This weekend I will start the tear-down and see what I have to deal with.