HYDROBOOST REBUILD
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Near Los Angeles
HYDROBOOST REBUILD
I'm about to start rebuilding my beloved h.b. unit. I'm very tired of being told when to pull over by self-applying brakes. I thought I'd take some pix and basically show how I installed the unit, if anyone is interested.
I should mention that it was a $40 j/y unit that I installed w/o rebuilding. I should also mention that the braking, before the problem started, was absolutely fantastic, like nothing I have experienced with this truck. It brought the old girl into the new millenium.
The write up will be in next issue of True Blue Trucks magazine.
I should mention that it was a $40 j/y unit that I installed w/o rebuilding. I should also mention that the braking, before the problem started, was absolutely fantastic, like nothing I have experienced with this truck. It brought the old girl into the new millenium.
The write up will be in next issue of True Blue Trucks magazine.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
I'd be interested to see that. While my brakes are certainly 'decent' (not much more I can replace on them to make them new), they're never going to be great in their stock form.
Self applying brakes, though? That just makes driving interesting!
Self applying brakes, though? That just makes driving interesting!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Near Los Angeles
Lol. Let me see if I can find any.
It is 'Grabber Blue', an old mustang color, and Chevy White, which is fitting, since the valves, rear calipers, p/s pump,hydroboost and mstr cylinder are GM, not to mention the side mirrors! It's a hybrid.
It is 'Grabber Blue', an old mustang color, and Chevy White, which is fitting, since the valves, rear calipers, p/s pump,hydroboost and mstr cylinder are GM, not to mention the side mirrors! It's a hybrid.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
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Whatever white it is she looks pretty freakin' sharp. What size tires are those? It sits really well at curbside.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Near Los Angeles
Oh, I can't remember the tire size. It's been so long. They are not taller than oem, just wider. It sits high in front because I installed a lift kit in the front...and installed ext. cab springs.
Advantages for hydro: uh, IIRC, it produces 2 to 3 times the boost over v. booster. All I can say is Wow! I never felt really confident of the brakes on this truck, and believe me, I've been through the entire system 3 or 4 times. When I installed disc rears it still wasn't right. But with the h.boost I can come over a hill on the freeway at 70 mph and see brakes lights ahead, and my pulse does not even quicken. It will stop on a dime with little effort. Really, it is night and day.
Advantages? Space, for one. Also, for heavily cammed engines that don't produce a lot of vacuum, it is an alternative. Bottom line? I would say that if you are happy with the system you have, then don't change. But if it is not quite enough, then without a doubt I would go with the hydro.
Advantages for hydro: uh, IIRC, it produces 2 to 3 times the boost over v. booster. All I can say is Wow! I never felt really confident of the brakes on this truck, and believe me, I've been through the entire system 3 or 4 times. When I installed disc rears it still wasn't right. But with the h.boost I can come over a hill on the freeway at 70 mph and see brakes lights ahead, and my pulse does not even quicken. It will stop on a dime with little effort. Really, it is night and day.
Advantages? Space, for one. Also, for heavily cammed engines that don't produce a lot of vacuum, it is an alternative. Bottom line? I would say that if you are happy with the system you have, then don't change. But if it is not quite enough, then without a doubt I would go with the hydro.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Aside from the space and vacuum issues, hydraboost requires less foot pressure to operate your brakes and in a lot of cases a higher pedal.
It gives people a feel good sensation, but the braking capability of the vehicles stays the same.
In order to change that, it would require any or a combination of different pads, rotors, master, calipers or tires.
It gives people a feel good sensation, but the braking capability of the vehicles stays the same.
In order to change that, it would require any or a combination of different pads, rotors, master, calipers or tires.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Near Los Angeles
Aside from the space and vacuum issues, hydraboost requires less foot pressure to operate your brakes and in a lot of cases a higher pedal.
It gives people a feel good sensation, but the braking capability of the vehicles stays the same.
In order to change that, it would require any or a combination of different pads, rotors, master, calipers or tires.
It gives people a feel good sensation, but the braking capability of the vehicles stays the same.
In order to change that, it would require any or a combination of different pads, rotors, master, calipers or tires.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Maximum braking (usually around 1500 to 1800 psi) occurs just before the tires break loose and skid. (assuming you don't have antilock brakes)
You can do that with both a vacuum booster and hydraboost on the same vehicle. (Especially vehicles originally equipped with vacuum boosters)
The only difference is you are applying less pressure with your foot, hence the sensation that you have better brakes. The stopping distance will be the same from a certain speed for both.
I've been using HD for over 30 years and it's nice especially on a heavier truck.
You can do that with both a vacuum booster and hydraboost on the same vehicle. (Especially vehicles originally equipped with vacuum boosters)
The only difference is you are applying less pressure with your foot, hence the sensation that you have better brakes. The stopping distance will be the same from a certain speed for both.
I've been using HD for over 30 years and it's nice especially on a heavier truck.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Near Los Angeles
I agree that the hb system is nice to drive, like bringing a bit of luxury to the old trucks, broncos. And I love the Astro Van units by Bendix ($40 in the j/y's). They are plentiful, cheap to rebuild ($50), and rebuilts are cheap too, about $130). And, late model hd chevy masters bolt right to them, as does the 90's ford S.D. p/s lines.
Not to mention that you can pull the p/s pump bracket from an 80's era econoline van, and install a Saginaw p/s pump that will make your steering kick butt.
Not to mention that you can pull the p/s pump bracket from an 80's era econoline van, and install a Saginaw p/s pump that will make your steering kick butt.