I have a 1970 Mustang Mach 1 (fully optioned dressed original car - 351 C w/ FMX - from disc and rear drum brakes) which I decided to put back on the road after 20 years in the garage and I am trying to replace the brake booster.
I have dropped and disconnected the steering column (bolts, harnesses, rag joint, inside plate) however I cannot figure how to get the column to come out of the hole in the fire wall. The hole seems too small for the lever (to trans) on the engine side to pull through. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Next, I have all of the bolts on the inside of the firewall connected to the brake booster off and I can seem to free it from the fire wall on the inside of the engine compartment. Is the plate that the booster seems to be connected to supposed to come off with the booster on the engine side? (This is the original booster).
I have dropped and disconnected the steering column (bolts, harnesses, rag joint, inside plate) however I cannot figure how to get the column to come out of the hole in the fire wall. The hole seems too small for the lever (to trans) on the engine side to pull through. Any ideas would be appreciated.
...Is the plate that the booster seems to be connected to supposed to come off with the booster on the engine side? (This is the original booster).
Is the rubber boot attached to the "inside plate"
Mine came right out with the plate and boot still around the column
Do you have all five of them removed? Should be four from the inside and one under the hood, if I recall correctly.
Yes, I removed the 4 on the inside and the one from the plate in the engine compartment. The replacement booster I purchased does not have the plate attached so I was not sure that was part of it. After almost 40 years, maybe the plate to firewall seal is stuck but I wanted to be sure before prying. All else seems to be disconnected. Is there only 1 bolt on the engine compartment side?
Last edited by 70 Mach One; 11-02-2009 at 11:12 PM.
Is the rubber boot attached to the "inside plate"
Mine came right out with the plate and boot still around the column
Yes, the plate and boot are still there and these are loose. On the engine compartment side, I had to disconnect the link from the trans to the lever connected to the bottom of the column. Do you have that lever on yours?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jetnoise
& Yes the plate is part of the booster
I noticed when I bought the replacement booster that it had one stud (about 1/2 inch long) that I assumed bolted to the plate itself as it certainly would not be long enough to go through the fire wall.
I guess I am going to have to use a chisel and carefully try to break the seal between the plate and fire wall. It does appear to have a heavy seal behind it.
Last edited by 70 Mach One; 11-02-2009 at 11:14 PM.
If I recall correctly, there are actually 5 studs on the booster that go through the firewall and one bolt that attaches the booster spacer to the firewall from the engine bay. The plate must come with the booster when removing because the plate is bolted to the booster, which is the small stud you see.
Yes, the plate and boot are still there and these are loose. On the engine compartment side, I had to disconnect the link from the trans to the lever connected to the bottom of the column. Do you have that lever on yours?
Yeah that is on all of the columns. Shove the column tube against the edge of the hole in the firewall opposite of the lever arm and it should allow enough room for the lever to pass through the hole. You may have to remove at an angle. It's been awhile but remember it being a pain to remove.
I just did this job in two of my cars a few weeks ago. There are #4 nuts to remove up under the dash, and one bolt from the engine compartment side. BUT, on one of the cars, the stud had 2() nuts on it--one that held on (also) a brace to the lower dash, and beneath that was the "real" nut holding the booster in. This was a car that had never been touched, and it was the second job that I did. I also couldn't figure out why the booster was loose-ish, but wouldn't come right out. Once I got the "hidden" nut off, the booster was not stuck on, it come right off. I can post a picture if you need it, but it was a stud to the gas pedal side of the booster, and not the top one. Good luck.
I just did this job in two of my cars a few weeks ago. There are #4 nuts to remove up under the dash, and one bolt from the engine compartment side. BUT, on one of the cars, the stud had 2() nuts on it--one that held on (also) a brace to the lower dash, and beneath that was the "real" nut holding the booster in. This was a car that had never been touched, and it was the second job that I did. I also couldn't figure out why the booster was loose-ish, but wouldn't come right out. Once I got the "hidden" nut off, the booster was not stuck on, it come right off. I can post a picture if you need it, but it was a stud to the gas pedal side of the booster, and not the top one. Good luck.
Bubba,
Wow - I'd never find that!. If you say it is under that brace? - then I'll pull the brace as it is almost off anyway. I'm not sure that I'll have time today but I'll take a look at that tomorrow and report back.
I decided to try that now so I wouldn't have to think about it all night. You were CORRECT. That extra nut was under the brace. Booster is 'on the bench"!
I really appreciate your guidance.
It was the (looking from the passenger compartment) lower right hand (gas pedal side). This stud retained a bracket from the firewall to dash and after I removed the small cap screw retained the bracket to the underside of the dash, it exposed another nut on that stud. This may be a '69 or '70 specific feature. Really good to know!
BTW: You would never see that nut unless you removed the under dash bracket.
Here is my new quote "The impossible takes just a little bit longer"
Best!
Last edited by 70 Mach One; 11-03-2009 at 09:30 PM.
It was the (looking from the passenger compartment) lower right hand (gas pedal side). This stud retained a bracket from the firewall to dash and after I removed the small cap screw retained the bracket to the underside of the dash, it exposed another nut on that stud. This may be a '69 or '70 specific feature. Really good to know!
BTW: You would never see that nut unless you removed the under dash bracket.
Here is my new quote "The impossible takes just a little bit longer"
Best!
Great! Glad I could help...that really frustrated me, too. But since I spent so much time, laying on my back and up under the two steering wheels/dashes within a day, that when the second one (original car) booster didn't come out--I knew something wasn't right. And each and every single nut came off with maximal effort, except for the one, I went back and looked at that one and found the "real" booster nut. I just hope that the booster nuts go ON much easier than they came off!
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
70 Mustang Brake Booster Help
) nuts on it--one that held on (also) a brace to the lower dash, and beneath that was the "real" nut holding the booster in. This was a car that had never been touched, and it was the second job that I did. I also couldn't figure out why the booster was loose-ish, but wouldn't come right out. Once I got the "hidden" nut off, the booster was not stuck on, it come right off. I can post a picture if you need it, but it was a stud to the gas pedal side of the booster, and not the top one. Good luck.
