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help with going hydroboost on 89 sub.

J

jeepdreamer

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Help! I've been searching and reading threads and Google to where my eyes hurt. I could use some help and advice if ya'll wouldn't mind.
My 89 v2500 sub is having brake issues. Swapped in a new master cylinder but no joy. It's leaking just like the old one and I have almost zero brakes. I have a new hydroboost unit in storage and instead of buying a new booster and another MC I'd really like to make the swap.
Does anyone have a good source for a how to on this? How about a parts list/what fits? I'm kinda on overload from looking at conflicting info and would really appreciate any advice. I need to get all the parts gathered before I tear into this and will only have a weekend to knock it out. Help! Thanks in advance folks!
 
Means changing the power steering pump (or plumbing in a tee), new hoses, booster/master, and either changing the brake pedal or drilling your existing one (the hinge point is different for hydro than for vacuum.) Might also have to swap front and back circuits at the master. In short, it's great, I've done it, but it's more than a bit of work.

If your truck doesn't have immense tires (say, they're 33" or smaller) you might just want to stick with the vacuum booster.

You don't say, but if the brake pedal is very soft, it's not the booster -- when they fail the pedal is very hard to press. Also, in my experience, vacuum boosters very rarely fail.

Anyway, point being that if you have a bum caliper or wheel cylinder or brake line now, switching to hydro won't fix it and will only make diagnosing the problem that much harder.

-- A
 
Dremu,
Thanks for the feedback. I'm running 315 75r 16s and plan to do occasional towing so I can justify the upgrade.
As for the booster...I'm fairly sure it's working but not sure it's not causing the master to go out. I too have never seen a booster actually go bad even after decades of messing with jeeps. I just can't figure what else would cause 2 MCs to go bad and leak the same way? I bench bled it just fine and had no issue. Installed it and bled the brakes and within 30 minutes the new one was gushing.
I can't figure how to post pics but here's a link to pics of my hydro in storage. http://www.militaryjeepers.com/community/showthread.php?t=39398
it's for a HMMWV (don't ask, haha) and brand new but I'll need everything else to make it work. I'm guessing there is a new pressure line for the ps pump, a tee fitting for the return, the correct pedal, and....?
 
Hydro boost upgrade

The low pressure return line from the booster Tees into the low pressure return line from the power steering cooler.
 
Hydro boost upgrade

One more thing. Once you have it installed and filled with "power steering fluid" you need to lift the front of your truck and cycle the steering about 20 times before starting the engine to get all the air out. Bleed the brakes like normal. Engine off.

Made a huge improvement in the stopping ability of my Suburban. I don't have to hope it stops in time now. It definitely has a different feel. Takes a little getting used to. There might be a little kick back for a while as all the micro bubbles work their way out.
 
If you keep getting MC's from autozone or Oreilly that could be your problem. Often they just re O-ring it and never fix the eaten away piston. A brand new MC from a reputable dealer is the way to go. I've dealt with that myself.
As for a hydroboost, I put one in my 65 Bel Air and it is seriously badass. I am going to eventually do it to my 89 Jimmy and my 78 Blazer.
 
Thanks elyon. The pic doesn't open for me but the info helps. :) is there any reason to think the extra boost from hydro would blow wheel cylinders? I plan to go through mine but was curious. I've driven a lot of stuff with factory HB so I know what you mean about it being different. A HMMWV, Even an up armored will still stop crazy fast. Hopefully I can get the sub to be similar. :waytogo:
 
No, it won't blow cylinders. I have drums on back and it actually makes my bias between front and back more balanced.
 
I'd leave it stock and avoid all that work and possible additional problems,since its not really a simple bolt on swap...there is quite a bit involved..

I would tend to agree you've probably had the misfortune of getting a few "bad" master cylinders,or they were not bench bled right first,perhaps there is also another problem as suggested with a caliper or wheel cylinder..

I have hydroboost on my diesel pickup,and it usually works very well--but be aware,if you happen to go through a deep puddle,or the P/S belt decided to come off or break,or one of the P/S hoses fail or the pump croaks,you now have no power assist for the brakes,AND no power steering!..

I've had some butt clenching experiences after driving through deep puddles and slush and had the belt slip--almost hit other vehicles because of lack of steering control and no power brake assist..:eek:..
 
elyon said:
There is no right side up.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I guess that sounded like me saying I've never seen it installed "wrong". Not what I meant. I just have never seen it installed that way. I wish I had because I think that would have fit better. :doah:
 
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