Got my rebuilt booster back!

71whitewesty · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject: Got my rebuilt booster back!

After having this bus about a year I finally decided to attempt to take the booster out and send it for a rebuild. Although the brakes were working pretty well it had that idle problem when I'd apply the brakes.
So after reading all the threads I could on here and vacuum testing the lines etc. I determined it was the booster.
I also read that H&R in Texas is not rebuilding them any more so I called around and ended up sending it to Karp's Brakes in Upland, CA.
In the process of removing mine I had one of the studs that is attached to the booster can spin free so I could not get the nut off. I ended up cutting the stud off to remove it. Karp's was able to weld a new stud in no problem. Whew!
So from the time I stuck it in the box to mail it to the time I got it back to my house was about two weeks. I thought that was reasonable since they had to fix the stud and the shipping time. Total cost for shipping, fixing the stud and the rebuild was about $220 or so.
It sure didn't look like this when I sent it to them.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Even though my master cylinder was working fine I came across a Samba member that had a nos "FAG" unit for sale for under $100 shipped so I sprung for that too.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I put my old reservior on it with new seals.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I just put it all back together yesterday and bled the lines etc. Only took me one round of bleeding and viola!! It worked! Not only does it stop better but it idles perfectly now with the brakes on!! Oh, so nice... Very Happy

So while it was down I got to fix all sorts of other little items like putting a new dash light bulb in, geez that was an easy one. Cleaned up the battery area and connections, put in new plugs, and working on replacing one of the heater cables. That sucker is stuck in there but I've been spraying Kroil on it the last few nights and am about ready to yank on it some more.
Once I get that one done, I'm ready for another summer of camping and road trips with the fam.
Let the summer begin!! Razz

hazetguy · Samba Member Joined: April 06, 2001 Posts: 8977

old DKP driver · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:03 pm Post subject: karps

Jon, Karp's Brake Service Web site is www.resleeve.com/booster.htm
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V.W.owner since 1967

71whitewesty · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:07 pm Post subject:

Sure...
Karp's Power Brakes
66 N Central Ave
Upland, CA 91786
909-985-0800
http://www.resleeve.com/index.htm

I'd recommend them. Answered the phone, helpful, easy to work with and timely. Very Happy

bugger101 · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:50 pm Post subject:

bus depot does them to Very Happy

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=211612103AX

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=211612103X
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75 west deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5270450#5270450

2010 ford focus
1949 ford f-1
2006 Lincoln navigator

automotive student
ford line tech

old DKP driver · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject: brake booster

Yes,but they are 2,700 miles away from the West Coast.....
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V.W.owner since 1967

ned · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info.

skid · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:21 am Post subject:

Thanks for sharing! Might have to send mine down unless I can find something around here.
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'71 Westfalia

vttype2 · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:14 pm Post subject:

I just called these guys:

http://www.priorreman.com/CatalogBoosters.asp

$112 plus shipping to reman the booster 2-3 day turn around....

guess i will be shipping mine out week.

dave
_________________
1973 ASI Riviera
2.0L Dual Solex PDSIT Carbs

ChuxBus · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:23 pm Post subject:

SGKent · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:18 pm Post subject:

I used the folks in Upland many years ago for my Jeep. It has probably changed hands since then but there aren't many of these shops left. Get a hold of AeroMech and see if he ever found that shop in Calexico that does them.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench

formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.

bdamico on GF wrote

Desertbusman · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject:

Backtrack a year and send it off to Ron in Texas. When he retired the bus community lost a real wonderful resource.
_________________
The best thing that anyone can do for their Bay is get the Volkswagen of America Official Service Manual published by Robert Bentley. Without it the bus is pretty much doomed.

charley_alford · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:16 pm Post subject:

That would of some great use...what price you got it??

71whitewesty · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject:

I should add that the base price was quoted as $180 with a 2-3 day turn around. Mine had the stud repair and it cost a bit more and took a couple days longer.

Desertbusman · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:22 pm Post subject:

H & R (Ron) in Texas charged $70. And it shipped out the same day it was received. Awesome workmanship. The mistake was not having him do another spare one before he retired. The banks sure havn't been a investment.
_________________
The best thing that anyone can do for their Bay is get the Volkswagen of America Official Service Manual published by Robert Bentley. Without it the bus is pretty much doomed.

bugger101 · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:13 am Post subject:

vttype2 · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 8:23 pm Post subject:

$112 bucks for he rebuild, $20 bucks shipping each way. not a bad deal. they shipped it back to me 3 days after they got it. got it home and i painted it, then hooked it up to the master cylinder, put vac on it and it works!!!! woo hoo, now i just have to install it. below are pics of prior paint and after paint:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

cheaper and easier than i would have thought.

dave
_________________
1973 ASI Riviera
2.0L Dual Solex PDSIT Carbs

zaakystyles · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:55 pm Post subject:

Hoody · Samba Member Joined: November 28, 2007 Posts: 926

Well done. I like the Brazilian flaps. Hard to find ones that fit correctly on a Bus.

tcraft · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 4:03 am Post subject:

Opinions please- My Advance Auto flaps lists a reman Cardone booster for $149.00 with a $30.00 core fee-limited lifetime warranty. Would this be a bad way to go? If not, would seem to eliminate the down time to a day or so.
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77bus- I love it-then I hate it-then I love it-then...

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