TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1977 Baywindow -Need help finding the correct Booster and MC

Fri Oct 27, 2023 6:07 am

Hello, I'm trying to find the correct Booster and MC that will replace the ones shown in the photos. The Booster I need to replace is ATE 03.6852-0501.4
I'm considering this from WW. https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211612103
As far as the MC goes, I don't know which to go with. Brazilian or German?
Any help, guidance, recommendations will be much appreciated.
Thank you.

Fri Oct 27, 2023 9:43 am

The ATE replacement part # for that booster is 03.6850-0502.4, I could only find a few European online auto parts websites mentioning it.

The one from WW is a Chinese reproduction; some apparently found it to be OK, but others (including myself) did not. There are a number of reviews here on thesamba.com.

You might be able to have your booster refurbished/rebuilt, many here have taken that route and been quite satisfied. And also the contrary.

I've used both Brazilian (Varga) and ATE (sometimes called "german" but actually made in something like Czech Republic) master cylinders, they both worked well, but I prefer the ATE because it has the drain/vent channel between the front piston seals. There's also a much cheaper Chinese "ATE" master cylinder available here and there. I've had one in my hands, and it looked OK, but never used one.

Fri Oct 27, 2023 10:34 am

I have a reproduced brake booster that I bought from Bus Depot that I never used and was going to list in the classifieds.

DM me if your're interested.

Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:58 pm

My understanding is that 1971&1972 boosters are the same. Then from 1973 the booster changed and became slightly thicker. The master cylinder is the same from 1971-1979. I know you can buy an aftermarket booster for the early bus. I don’t know if they are available aftermarket for the 1973-1979

Fri Oct 27, 2023 7:05 pm

The early and late boosters are interchangeable. I've used both on my '78 axle, and could tell no difference in function. The stock late one had a very slightly increased "boost" ratio, and a very slightly increased diameter, so a late booster on an early axle beam will require a tiny bit of clearancing on a non-critical area of the inner axle beam flange. The early vent hose had a slightly larger diameter. AFAICT, the aftermarket early and late Chinese units are the same, except one comes with a little piece of plastic hose sleeving to adapt the vent hose connection.

Fri Oct 27, 2023 8:12 pm

I believe that the mounting bolt patterns are slightly different but can be made to work

Fri Oct 27, 2023 8:24 pm

aeromech wrote: I believe that the mounting bolt patterns are slightly different but can be made to work

The mounting hole patterns are not different '71-'79.

'71-mid '74 (up to Chassis# 2X4 2110 465) booster are 8" diameter

'75-'79 are 9" diameter

Sometime in the '71-'74 range the vent hose nipple changed from 17mm to 14mm, otherwise all the 8" booster are the same specs.

All '75-'79 boosters have a 14mm vent nipple.

8" and 9" boosters were made both by Ate and by Bendix/Girling, they look a bit different but seem to be interchangeable.

The above applies to the original equipment booster, may not apply to the reproductions. In my experience properly remanufactured boosters work better than the new reproductions. Repros can have fit issues and pedal weirdness issues, a proper rebuild will work the same as OE.

Fri Oct 27, 2023 8:46 pm

It’s good to have you back Scott