And the Brake Saga Continues!! - Hydravac

[Mark Ashford]

Man, by the time I'm done with this thing, every last componant on the brake system will either be new, rebuilt or replaced


O-well, not that I should complain, brakes are one part that I really don't mind putting good money into, but I hoped to just fit the bad parts and go. Should have just done the shotgun aproch right off the bad. More money at once, but I would have gone through ALLOT less brake fluid.


Hydravac - I have the single cylinder, type 2 style (OK, for some reason that doesn't seem right, here's a picture).

How can you diagnois a "bad" hydravac? I got all the new lines instauled. No leaks I can see (so far). Bleading away and I seemed to finnaly have gotten all the air out of bleader screw #1, but #2 just keeps shooting air. Not just bubbles, but little "spurts". LOTS of air... like more than I would think would be just in the internal piston of the Hydravac. I suspect maybe a leak, but before I spend $$ rebuilding it, is there really that much possible air in it, or do I have a bad unit?

I'm tempted to just remove it (and the MC) and send them down to Vanco and have them rebuilt. Piece of mind and then everything WOULD be new or rebuilt (with the exception of the rear brakes, having even cracked into those yet... they can wait).

I REALLY need to get this done and over, so I can get on to other projects and don't keep spending time on it.... and so the wife can quit giveing me "those looks" for all the NAPA and Shuckes Visa bills

[John Donnelly]

Remove it and send it to Portland to Brake Systems Inc. They have them on the shelf and will give you an exchange.

-John

[Rob Peterson]

What John said.

Mark, I may have mentioned in another thread or PM that I used Brake Systems (based on J.D.'s recommendation) for my Hydrovac rebuild. I shipped to/from Illinois and the shipping wasn't that bad.

Something doesn't sound right about the abundance of air. When I bled mine both the bleeders gave me straight fluid almost right away. I used a pressure bleeder, so I cannot comment on "how many pedal pumps" it might've taken. These Hydrovacs have a large leather diaphram of some sort. I wonder if that has ruptured and you are filling the internals with brake fluid.

[Vancopbs]

Originally Posted by John Donnelly

Remove it and send it to Portland to Brake Systems Inc. They have them on the shelf and will give you an exchange.

-John

I am sure you can call them and they'll spend all the time necessary to diagnose your problem too. They rebuild the boosters themselves or have someone else do it? Cost? I am not even aware of any rebuilder up there so I assumed it's getting farmed out.

Note: Mark, if you're talking about the bleeder screw in the middle of the booster that's sputtering then the booster is probably clogged. There's a 2 inch long 1/32nd inch hole feed tube there that get's clogged after time.

[Mark Ashford]

Originally Posted by Vancopbs

Note: Mark, if you're talking about the bleeder screw in the middle of the booster that's sputtering then the booster is probably clogged. There's a 2 inch long 1/32nd inch hole feed tube there that get's clogged after time.

Yes, the #2 bleeder you can see at the end there of the long 'piston tube' (probably not the 'correct term'). Its right at the outlet port, visible right there where the air intake tube is hanging down.


Are these things pretty bullet proof?? What are the odds that it would really need a rebuild, as opposed to just a good cleaning that I could do in the bench?? $$ savings at this point would be good, but time is almost as valuable right now (funny how 4-month-old's sap up lots of time, with out trying to feel "guilty" of dumping her on mommy )


As for the bleading technique. I've was doing the 'pump and crack' when I could get a hand (or use a 2x4 when I din't :redneck: ), I've also been using "speed bleeders" to make my life simpler. And lately I've been doing the Midivac thing. Which I never really liked, but at the suggestion of a friend now am giveing it another try with good results.


As a side note, I appreciate that you hang out on these board's and answer questions Van. Its nice when 'vendors' hang out and help with professional advice from folks actually in the industry.

[Vancopbs]

Bummer, that's the main slave cylinder. That's what stops the entire vehicle. Sounds like it's shot. The diaphrams are bullet proof (leather). But the cups are just plain ole rubber cups, sounds like yours are shot.

[Mark Ashford]

Hmm, is that a 'competant home wrench turner' rebuild item, like doing wheel cylinders, or would it be a 'better safe than sorry' have the whole thing exchanged/rebuilt/cleaned?


thanks again for the advice.


Edit, from ealier info I have gotten (and just checked on) its about $200 for a reman unit from the aformentioned Brake Systems... and as was mentioned they have them on the shelf. Would haveing you (Vanco) do a rebuild on this unit be in the same ball-park? I'd probably just go and have the MC done at the same time. Piece of mind.

[Vancopbs]

Finding the kit would be the hard part. Would I reccomend it? No.

However, if you find a kit I'll walk you through it. Then just be careful the first few hundred miles and check your fluids to make sure all is safe.

[John Donnelly]

Originally Posted by Vancopbs

I am sure you can call them and they'll spend all the time necessary to diagnose your problem too. They rebuild the boosters themselves or have someone else do it? Cost? I am not even aware of any rebuilder up there so I assumed it's getting farmed out.

Note: Mark, if you're talking about the bleeder screw in the middle of the booster that's sputtering then the booster is probably clogged. There's a 2 inch long 1/32nd inch hole feed tube there that get's clogged after time.

Van,

Normally I would recommend your outfit for just about anything, but BSI is close, and I knew that it was a shelf item for them.

Wasn't sure how "vintage" you wanted to work with in today's world

-John

[Mark Ashford]

Well I yarded the old unit out last night (actually came unhooked pretty easy, but a real stuff job getting it out with the running board still in place, good thing its loose and rusty, I'll be removing it before I put the new unit in).

Called up Brake Systems and after a little info I got a Reman unit on its way. Should be in my hands tomorrow. $208.90 + $150 core. Well see how thing go hopefully tomorrow.

FYI the PN for future searching is 394980. Thats a 9.5" diameter can and 17.25" over all length. We'll see how close it matches when I get the 'new' unit in my hands.


More to come. Looks like I'm replacing the last (2) lines in the system as after all. The ones the adapt to the Hydravac. I got it out, might as well replace them since I have access to them.


I will be SOOOO done with brakes for a while when this is all over