When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I searched the site and came to a thread on how to remove the brake booster, but the problem is it said only four bolts are needed to be removed. I know the bolts are on the inside of the fire wall, but have no idea how to get to them. Please help; trying to get my car ready for monday. Any help is greatly appriciated.
they are the sane 4 bolts that hold the pedal onto the firewall. the booster has threaded studs that stick into the car. The booster and pedals are sandwiched together on the firewall. If you remove the interior plastics under the dash you can see the lower 2, the upper 2 will require dropping the steering column a bit and using some long extensions to get to them They are a PITA to get at.
thank you for the help. How do I go about on dropping the steering column? Sorry for the all the questions, but I am desperate on getting this thing fixed.
after you remove the plastic panels under the dash, you will see 2 bolts holding the steering column to the metal inner dash structure. Take them out or just loosen them.
Dropping the column isn't necessary. I got at mine with just a flex-head ratcheting wrench. I'm sure a swivel on a 3/8" socket would work just fine also. But yes, they are very inconveniently located.
i had to change out the pedals in my 86 when i swap it to manual trans, i had a lot of wires and crap up under the dash and i could not get to the top 2 bolts from the underside, i couldn't even see them or get my hand on them, i had to lower the column a bit and do it that way
LOL yeah I think I am going to need to lower the steering column indeed. While I was trying to get to the bolts from under the dash all I could see was a jungle of wires lol. Really appreciate the help guys!
Dropping the column isn't necessary. I got at mine with just a flex-head ratcheting wrench. I'm sure a swivel on a 3/8" socket would work just fine also. But yes, they are very inconveniently located.
Oh my back! I'm too old for this. I've got two bolts off and have two more to go. Is this a flex-head wrench?
If so, I'll go buy one. The lower right bolt has a metal bar in the way.
What is this metal bar that is in the way of the lower right bolt? I removed the bolt securing the bar and bent it upward a bit. I just want to make sure I'm not going to break something before bending further.
They're braces for the clutch master cylinder which is bolted to the firewall. I wouldn't worry too much about bending, they're bolted to the pedals at the top with the main pivot bolt. Chances are they'll swivel before the bend. If you want to be extra cautious you could just loosen the pivot bolt.
Thanks - I'm making progress, and I'm sure I'll have the brake booster removed soon. I mess with it a little each day. After about 30 minutes, I get drenched in sweat. Working on a car during a Texas summer is no fun.
I finally got the brake booster and MC replaced. I bled the master cylinder with kit that utilizes a syringe. Now I just need to bleed the brake lines, and I'm done.
The motive power bleeder didn't work (leaked brake fluid all over the engine bay), so I used the gravity bleed method. The final step was to connect the vacuum line to the booster. Alas, the vacuum line was too big for the port on the new brake booster. I threw the old booster away, and the trash pick up was this morning! Grrrrr!!! Now what?
This is handy- my booster is all corroded with surface rust and stands out in the engine bay like a sumbitch. Looks like I’ll be tackling that with it where it is.
I began on removing my brake booster this past weekend following the instructions provided here. Then if course I hit a snag. Even after loosening the steering wheel, I couldn't get to the upper right bolt on inside if the car. I said screw it and ordered a 24" and other super long 3/8" extensions. Hopefully that will work. Removing over 31 year old bolts was not a pleasant experience.