Brake Booster / Manual versus Power?

Brake Booster / Manual versus Power? - 05/31/13 04:26 AM

Is there any difference between a brake booster for manual brakes versus power brakes? My car, a '69 RR, has standard drum brakes and it was recommended to me to install a brake booster. Any information you can share will be appreciated. Am I correct to think that a brake booster is in fact what is called a power brake system?

Posted By: kilroy

Re: Brake Booster / Manual versus Power? - 05/31/13 04:39 AM

Quote:

Is there any difference between a brake booster for manual brakes versus power brakes? My car, a '69 RR, has standard drum brakes and it was recommended to me to install a brake booster. Any information you can share will be appreciated. Am I correct to think that a brake booster is in fact what is called a power brake system?

????

If it has a booster its 'power brakes'. Unless someone meant to say they think you should install a booster?

Posted By: bboogieart

Re: Brake Booster / Manual versus Power? - 05/31/13 05:41 AM

Quote:

Unless someone meant to say they think you should install a booster?

From original post...

Quote:

it was recommended to me to install a brake booster.

yes The power brakes use a booster and the manual ones do not.
I wouldn't bother to change it. I like manual brakes. It's a personal thing. Maybe you could drive a power brake car and see if you like it enough to swap out the system. you will need the power master cylinder as well. Not sure about your car but I know you have to change the pedal assembly on the 68 c-bodies.

Posted By: MoparMarq

Re: Brake Booster / Manual versus Power? - 05/31/13 06:30 AM

Quote:

Is there any difference between a brake booster for manual brakes versus power brakes?

I'm not aware of any difference between boosters for power brakes regarding drum or disc brakes, but I'm not an expert in that area.

Quote:

My car, a '69 RR, has standard drum brakes and it was recommended to me to install a brake booster. Any information you can share will be appreciated. Am I correct to think that a brake booster is in fact what is called a power brake system?

Yes. If converting to power brakes, i.e., adding a booster, it is likely you will need to change the brake pedal. Usually the brake pedal for power brakes has additional linkage to increase pushrod travel (or decrease pedal travel, depending on how you prefer to think of it). And, because of that linkage, the pushrod usually goes through an existing hole in the firewall in a slightly different location - I can't remember if it's higher or lower though. IIRC, power brakes have the master cylinder slightly higher, but I could be wrong. Sometimes master cylinder is different, too, because booster provides additional pushrod force - slightly larger bore on master cylinder can be used.

Short answer is - can't just add a booster and call it done.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Brake Booster / Manual versus Power? - 05/31/13 07:17 AM

Power brakes dont really give you more braking energy per se they just require less pedal effort since your getting an assist & the downside is they give you less brake feel. I'm assuming you want more braking power. If your brake shop can arc linings I'd have them do it & take the drums in also. here it's $5 a corner & some ceramic shoes will help you even further as will a bed in (break in) procedure. If all that ain't enough then it's time for a disc conversion