brake booster rebuild kit

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   my brakes went soft on me yesterday while i was driving. i am guessing the booster is the problem based on research.  is it possible it could be the check valve or hose?  the hose from the booster to the engine is loose on the engine side.  any sources for kits that anyone can recommend?  any tips or tricks for rebuilding one are appreciated

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bsochacki Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jul/07/2022 Location: Livonia, MI Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote bsochacki Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: brake booster rebuild kit Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 7:38am
	my brakes went soft on me yesterday while i was driving. i am guessing the booster is the problem based on research. is it possible it could be the check valve or hose? the hose from the booster to the engine is loose on the engine side. any sources for kits that anyone can recommend? any tips or tricks for rebuilding one are appreciated
	rambler american 440 48K miles 232 I6 2 door hardtop

6PakBee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Charter Member Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 5457	Post Options Post Reply Quote 6PakBee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 8:47am
	If you have a vacuum leak bad enough to affect booster performance, typically you will see some problem with engine performance. A check valve failure only affects booster performance with the engine off, with it running there are no detrimental affects. Yes, there are selected rebuild kits available (I have no idea if one is available for yours) but my recommendation would be to send it to a rebuild facility rather than trying to do it yourself. My recommendation would be https://www.powerbrakebooster.com/ . Hope this helps. PS: I would question if the booster is the problem. If the booster fails typically there will be more pedal travel and the pedal will get harder, not softer. Edited by 6PakBee - Sep/30/2022 at 8:49am
	Roger Gazur 1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler 1970 RWB 4-spd Machine 1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX All project cars. Forum Cockroach

mbwicz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Feb/20/2019 Location: Buffalo, NY Status: Offline Points: 1991	Post Options Post Reply Quote mbwicz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 9:32am
	Give a little more background: 1. Have you done anything to the brakes since you had the car? Adjustment, fluid flush, total rebuild? 2. Were the brakes working well before going soft? Not pulling to one side, or anything odd? 3. 4 wheel drums or disc in front? Like Roger said above, the brakes would go from soft to hard without the booster working. I would check for leaks as a first step. Mike
	1970 AMX, one step forward, one step back. Both steps cost time and money.

bsochacki Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jul/07/2022 Location: Livonia, MI Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote bsochacki Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 2:44pm
	Mike, thanks for reaching out. Here are my responses: 1. about 3 weeks ago the front brakes were redone including new wheel cylinders. i flushed the fluid in the master cylinder 4 times. 2. no the brakes were working great. 3. drums all the way around. the brakes work and fluid level is up to the top. when the car is off, i can push and i have a hard pedal. when i start it up, it goes right to the floor. i just talked to someone at summit racing and they told me that if the booster was bad, the brake pedal would be very hard. he indicated maybe the master cylinder, a leak or air. he kind of ruled out air in the lines based on what i told him.
	rambler american 440 48K miles 232 I6 2 door hardtop

mbwicz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Feb/20/2019 Location: Buffalo, NY Status: Offline Points: 1991	Post Options Post Reply Quote mbwicz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 3:01pm
	Is that a single master cylinder or a dual? Did you bleed the rear also? If the pedal is hard and doesnt drift down when you push on it (with the engine off), it is likely not a leak. With the info that you have given, I expect that someone will give some advice.
	1970 AMX, one step forward, one step back. Both steps cost time and money.

bsochacki Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jul/07/2022 Location: Livonia, MI Status: Offline Points: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote bsochacki Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 4:49pm
	i am a novice, so i may not know the terminology correct. the master cylinder has 2 reservoirs - if i understand correctly one for rear and one for the front. we did not bleed the rear. the brakes were working fine for several weeks after this... i can push down on the pedal when the engine is off and it does not drift down. i have to put pressure on it. When the engine is on it is soft. it is also stalling on me. i replaced the hose as it was old and cracked and that did not help. we did not pull off the rear brakes, but it does not appear there is any leakage. the tsm points to the check valve with these symptoms from what i can see. any thoughts? Edited by bsochacki - Oct/11/2022 at 12:11pm
	rambler american 440 48K miles 232 I6 2 door hardtop