Last winter, I had a problem with my brake booster. A leak I assume, but very soon after, it “healed” itself. This fall it started again. Must have something to do with the temperature, as it started only about time it went to freezing temps.
Since it is actually my daily driver, I must take care of the problem.
In January 2024 I purchased a new 8″ universal booster to replace the universal booster I had which was going bad. Since it “healed” itself, I never changed it out.
This time when it started hissing at me and not assisting my braking, I decided it was time to change it. Well, as it turns out I find after removing the original, the replacement that has been in storage for approximately 10 months was the incorrect part. The master cylinder shaft/rod is a long shaft meant for a deep cylinder cup and I need a short rod for the shallow cup master cylinder I have. Not only was the rod incorrect, the overall length of the new unit was longer.
The master cylinder I use is for a 1978 Corvette, therefore a 1978 brake booster will work, or the correct short-shaft universal unit.
Luckily, I quickly found an 8″ universal booster with a short rod at Eckler’s that is on sale at an amazing 78% off right now, and they had one at an “open-box” price for even less. I verified with them that it DOES have the short rod and will fit the Corvette master cylinder. I just had to put the old one back in and wait a few days for the new one to arrive. Brakes still works, just no power assist.
