Brake Booster Rebuild Kits

4 replies [Last post]
Joined: 12/20/1999
Posts: 1822

Anyone know of a place that sells booster rebuild kits for the first gen cars? We're looking for a distributor to sell us the parts so we can start rebuilding them including powder coating the housings the color of your choice.
The only manufacturer in the US that I know about is Cardone, and I won't sell anything by them if I don't have to. Their quality control is too low for my taste.
If I can't find a distributor that already has them then I'd be interested in finding a manufacturer that can make me the rebuild kit.
Z man of Washington

1978 black pearl show car-retired, I bought it new 1983 zx turbo daily driver, modified, 3rd owner 1970 240 #23 being restored 1970 240 #638 driver 1973 240 roadster being built about 70+ other z's & zx's 57 Chev Sedan Delivery 67 Jag E type 79 620 King Cab  www.datsunstore.com  www.zspecialties.com 1-800-518-5480

Joined: 03/23/1999
Posts: 35585
Oh, NOW you ask...

I was in Shanghai for the past month going from shop to shop...

Cardone has to get their parts from somewhere.

If you have ONE early 240 rebuild kit, most of the kit makers can knock it off for you...but beware, make SURE the components aren't merely 'lookalike'.

We sourced some coupling elements out of Russia, and they were done BETTER than OEM! Our competition was using stuff made in India, and while it worked on smaller HP stuff, on larger machines it literally EXPLODED! They made a nice injection mould and made an EXACT looking coupling element in India.

But they never cut it apart like the Russians did. So they didn't know there was 10 bias ply belts inside the element to transmit GOBS of torque through the driveline.

From the outside, the rubber parts looked identical. The Russian part weighed a bit more.

Also, on the diaphragms, we went through the same sort of thing. Many knock off places use SBR sheet, or moulded unreinforced sheet for the diaphragms. It's imperative that the laminates and frictional properties of the rubber are taken into account. We had rolling diaphragms that literally rolled themselves into little balls then leaked like a seive because of rubber incompatibility, etc...

ONE last thing: BENDIX is the license holder for these things. They are a STANDARD BENDIX BOOSTER (Master-Vac)---while the outside may have many different names on it, likely there is a source for OEM BENDIX PARTS here in the USA that is of VERY high quality, if not OEM Quality. It may not be for a NISSAN, but the check valves, diaphragms, and seals are all pretty much standard. You may have to poke around a couple of kits that 'look close' before you find the parts you need...but once you know the sourcing it may be as simple as calling up a Bendix Rep and asking for a 'custom kit' be set up as a Jobber Special.

Good Luck, a quality Master Vac Rebuild would be a nice option. They aren't rocket science to rebuild!

People here simply want feel good answers. Don't confuse them with FACTS, Dammit!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
You simply can't call someone a F**ktard here, no matter how truthful it is.
Stupidity is contagious, and looks like it's

Joined: 06/07/2003
Posts: 1618
Re: Brake Booster Rebuild Kits

My guess is that U will have to source the parts separately, probably offshore, like diaphragms, seals, etc. U may want to expand your lines to include the vac. motors, dashpots, etc, to get the best prices for the main part, the diaphragm.
http://www.tradekey.com/ks-rubber-diaphragms/

Rusty but running.
Polish cell phone and two tubes of Aluma-seal.

And, now we are historic.

Joined: 05/23/2006
Posts: 27
Re: Oh, NOW you ask...

Tony D Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Good Luck, a quality Master Vac Rebuild would be a
> nice option. They aren't rocket science to
> rebuild!

The real trick is getting 35 yr+ cannisters apart. I speak fron experience.

Steve
1972 240Z
Second Owner

Joined: 12/11/2003
Posts: 1092
Re: Brake Booster Rebuild Kits

Oliver,you may give Elder Rubber Co. a call for the diaphragm. They are in Dallas Ca.214-426-2890. We buy from them alot. As for the other pieces,if missing or broke,maybe like Tony says,go to Bendix. I think this is an 800 for them also.800-231-2099.