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Joined: Oct 2009
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I converted my Firebird from manual brakes to power brakes (drums on all corners). The booster appears to be working until it gets down to the very end and then it feels almost like manual brakes. The brake pedal is hard so there does not appear to be any air in the system. I checked vacuum and it is 19 inHg at idle so that should be good. I don't see any evidence of the vacuum line collapsing when I brake. It appears to be a faulty booster but it is brand new. Any ideas?
Larry
1967 Sprint Convertible
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Joined: May 2015
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Is it possible that the rod from the booster to the pedal is not set at the correct length? It is very easy to adjust by moving the turn buckle that hooks to the pedal closer or further away. Since it costs nothing and takes little time to do it, I'd try moving it. You want to be sure there is some free play in the pedal but too much play may be a problem. You might want to google making this adjustment as there a number of posts on this and you may find someone has documented the swap you made. Perhaps there is some other adjustment needed. Best of Luck!
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,363
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Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that yesterday and it didn't seem to help. The pedal still starts out smooth and then gets very stiff. No idea other than it looks like a bad booster.
Larry
1967 Sprint Convertible
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,049 Likes: 10
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Senior Member
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Let me ask this, does the car stop OK or not?
This system is not going to feel like a modern power brake set-up, especially with 4 wheel drum.
-Jeff
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,615
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A new booster can be faulty. That happened to me. 19" is plenty... Mine works on 11".
Are your soft lines on the front brakes in good shape? If they're 20+ years old, you may want to renew them. This could make a difference. It helped mine considerably.
Last edited by Bronze Bird; 09/17/17 07:54 PM.
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,363
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Thanks to all. I found the issue. I had an intermittent problem with the booster check valve. I replaced it and it appears to be good.
Larry
1967 Sprint Convertible
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Good deal Larry! On to the next gremlin...
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold  1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
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