brake booster
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Elder User
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From: AL
brake booster
I put a new master cylinder on my truck and didn't change the booster. Now everytime I press the brake pedal I hear a sucking sound and the truck idles rough. I always thought the pedal was a little stiff for power brakes now it seems the booster is bad.
Can I change the booster without breaking the lines on the master cylinder? I hate to bleed the brakes again.
The parts store list a booster without an adjustable arm and one with an adjustable arm. What have you guys used?
Can I change the booster without breaking the lines on the master cylinder? I hate to bleed the brakes again.
The parts store list a booster without an adjustable arm and one with an adjustable arm. What have you guys used?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Yes you can change the booster without removing the lines. I'd suggest a bungee cord or cable ties to hold the master cylinder out of the way. Also be careful to move it only as much as needed for clearance so you don't kink or break the lines.
Since you have a choice I'd suggest the adjustable one. My 72 has that style and it came in handy when I did the disc brake swap.
Since you have a choice I'd suggest the adjustable one. My 72 has that style and it came in handy when I did the disc brake swap.
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From: AL
I have another question. Would I see any gains by using the F350 booster, it is dual diaphragm. It has the same diameter so it seems to me it would make braking easier? My truck is a 1970 F250 Crew Cab with factory front disc brakes.
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Having never done the swap all I can do is make an educated guess. I believe F350's were still using drum brakes on the front axle in 1970 and drum brakes require more pedal effort than disc brakes. Based on that I'd say yes it would help.
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From: AL
I have to replace my booster anyway so I was just thinking this might be an upgrade. My booster seems a little stiff to me, now it's whoosing everytime I press the brakes and the idle changes on the engine denoting a vacuum leak.
The boosters listed at the parts store both have the same diameter one is just dual one single which doesn't make sense to me as usally the single are larger diameter than the dual.
Here are the units. Autozone lists the size, I looked them up on Amazon and they list the same size. I can't find any specs on anyone else's site.
single:
<!-- m -->http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 44611_0_0_<!-- m -->
dual:
<!-- m -->http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 44554_0_0_<!-- m -->
The boosters listed at the parts store both have the same diameter one is just dual one single which doesn't make sense to me as usally the single are larger diameter than the dual.
Here are the units. Autozone lists the size, I looked them up on Amazon and they list the same size. I can't find any specs on anyone else's site.
single:
<!-- m -->http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 44611_0_0_<!-- m -->
dual:
<!-- m -->http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 44554_0_0_<!-- m -->
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From: AL
I just figured out Ford used the dual diaphragm booster on the dentside trucks when it had disc brakes with dual piston calipers and the single on single piston calipers. That may be why my booster seems stiff, I have the dual piston calipers and I have the 12 x 2 1/2 shoes out back.
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
The dual diaphragms give more surface area for the vacuum to draw on resulting in more assist. It's been a good many years since I've had a truck with dual piston calipers and I can't remember which style booster it had.
The leaking diaphragm is what's making the pedal seem stiff. I do think the dual unit would be a good upgrade. Those crews are pretty heavy.
The leaking diaphragm is what's making the pedal seem stiff. I do think the dual unit would be a good upgrade. Those crews are pretty heavy.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1969 F350 from serial number E38,001 / 1970/72 F350 / 1971/72 F250.
Dual piston caliper disc brakes optional for 1968/72 F250 2WD & F350.
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From: AL
I changed over to the dual diaphram booster this weekend. My lines reached with no problems. I installed the booster without disconnecting the brake lines. One thing I had to modify was the plastic sleeve between the firewall and the booster. I had to shorten the sleeve by 5/8" to clear the back of the booster. The rubber belllows would not fit inside this sleeve so I cut it to fit over the sleeve so it will be sealed.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Thanks for everyone's help.
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