Brake booster on bay window remove or keep?

[bugspray]

Howdy Gents

Removed the engine from my bus today. Getting some work done (will update thread soon)

So my Westy has an after market brake booster hooked up to it.... not sure if it works though but there are hard lines attached to it and going somewhere into the darkness.

What I want to know, should I keep it in place and see if it works or get it to work, or do I remove and bin it?

I want to remove it for now to get some rust repair done but am scared I pull it out wrong and then bleeding the brakes becomes a hassle or I never get the same pressure again?

[dixtoy]

That's a remote booster, but it's faulty that's why I disconnected it, it leaks break fluid and throws a bunch of white smoke.


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[bugspray]

That's a remote booster, but it's faulty that's why I disconnected it, it leaks break fluid and throws a bunch of white smoke.


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Was hoping you or Thomas would respond. Thank you Mr D. Can I remove it? And how?

I don't want to mess up the brakes
Thanks

[dixtoy]

Personally I would see if it can be fixed, the bus had good brakes when it was working. If you want to remove it, if I remember correctly the brake pipes just needs to be rerouted.
Ps I still have a stabilizer valve here that I never fitted after fitting the dick brakes, if you want it you welcome to it.


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[bugspray]

Yeah also considering fixing it now. Apparently the booster master cylinder needs to be rebuilt to make it work again. Will attempt it.

Wow thanks for the offer. Would def be keen on the stabiliser valve, will add that extra to the discs Will arrange to get from you soon.

[sean]

I hate rubbish fitted like this. Throw it away and and fit the standard equipment. Things like these cause problems, well, as mentioned it has already caused problems.

[retrovan]

I hate rubbish fitted like this. Throw it away and and fit the standard equipment. Things like these cause problems, well, as mentioned it has already caused problems.

Once again your comments are a bit strong...Sean

@bugspray

If you have a bay bus with disk brakes, why not fit the booster and MC that where designed for that bus.

I had the small disk brakes (1972) with no booster, and changed to the bigger (1974 +) disks and fitted that model booster system.

Works like a charm, and and is not a deviation from the VWAC concept.

although the purist will castrate me for this comment anyway.

But they do not have to live with the guilt of bad brakes at the emergency ward.



Herman

[dixtoy]

This bus never had a booster, it had drums front and back and I changed it disc's, it doesn't have the bracket to fit a booster on the beams.


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[sean]

I hate rubbish fitted like this. Throw it away and and fit the standard equipment. Things like these cause problems, well, as mentioned it has already caused problems.

Once again your comments are a bit strong...Sean

Really? I believe Bugspray asked if he should fix it or bin it. I say bin it.

Remember that a brake booster is not going to make your brakes "better", it simply lightens the pedal. Without it, you just have to apply harder, but have the same potential stopping power.

[sean]

But they do not have to live with the guilt of bad brakes at the emergency ward.


Herman

Herman, come now man. You don't honestly think all kombis manufactured prior to 1974 are dangerous and have bad brakes???? I personally own kombis ranging from the 1950's through to the 2000's models and I can assure you, even the drum brakes from the 1950's are very sufficient in today's world.

Bugspray, perhaps you should fit ABS and ASR to your bus, you wont land up in the emergency ward then...

[bugspray]

Hi gents, As Mr D stated he when owned the bus, did the awesome and fitted discs up front, I don't have any issues with the brakes in their current form, has been overhauled, new ORIGINAL master cylinder fitted, discs were fine, drums were changed, bled and set.
Yes not original booster and troublesome, but hey.... its the history of the vehicle, back in the day somebody with aspirations of having a safer bus fited it, it probably worked back then, and now has given up he ghost. also as advised its not major surgery to get removed, so thats a plus.

i like the idea of fitting a 74 model disc kit with the appropriate booster Thanks Herman. but will wait till it's an option, maybe if i decide to narrow bean to lower the front

some insight into these boosters from the US of A, these were popular in the late 70s in mostly street rods.

once again thanks

[retrovan]

Just to clarify and to agree with Sean.

All VWAC had acceptable brakes, If in a good state of maintenance, and should you stomp on the brakes and drag the 4 wheels, well there is no improving on that regardless what you fit, with the exception of ABS.

In a normal car you sit with your back to the seat and you brake to the front., you can apply a maximum amount of pressure to the peddle as you use the seat as a back stop.

On a bus however, you as pushing down, and by pushing, you lifting your own body mass, so not the same amount of pressure applied.

THIS is why I like a booster on a bus. On two occasion I have had to do emergency braking with the bus, and I will state right here, that had I not had Booster, I would have hit the object in front of me. as the safety belt did not give me the "back-stop" I needed.

I like your idea of restoring the existing booster, but as the late Bay booster is easy to fit, it may be a toss-up which to do.

OMO

Herman

[AlanH]

Watching this thread carefully. I also have a booster fitted that was not standard. Although mine worked when I drove the Westy the installation is nothing to write home about.

[dixtoy]

some insight into these boosters from the US of A, these were popular in the late 70s in mostly street rods.

You'll most probably find that the booster is from an old BMW or Alfa, we used to use them when fitting V8's into the old Escorts when space was a problem




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[Derek]

Do whatever you feel will make for a safer, easier braking solution...Pay no heed to opinionated purists like Sean as this is YOUR vehicle and you have no obligation whatsoever to revert to outdated technology from the 60's just because that was what existed at the time. Retrovan is on the money with his explanation of why a booster is necessary and desirable and you can always source a reconditioned original booster from a '70's bus if you want to stick to a VW solution.