As age creeps up on the C4 technology, parts naturally deteriorate, even when the automobile has been effectively maintained. This deterioration is accelerated if the automobile sits for lengthy durations of time, particularly if it sits outside. Our instance is a uncared for 1987 Corvette that the Sleeperdude Youtube channel is bringing again to life. This automobile was a present from a loyal subscriber of the channel, but it surely has include its share of points. It sat exterior for a few years, resulting in an extended listing of motion gadgets to make it highway worthy. A number of components of the method contain the braking system.
This tech article will give attention to the brake booster and grasp cylinder, a typical space for corrosion, cracking and different inside points. From 1985 to 1991, the brake booster on Corvettes was manufactured utilizing plastic. Whereas this was a advantageous materials in gentle climate circumstances beneath common use, the plastic merely doesn’t stand the check of time. Zip Corvette makes reproduction brake boosters, utilizing metal as a substitute of plastic, and it’s a direct bolt-on substitute for all Corvettes constructed from 1984 by way of 1991.
The master cylinder suits a a lot narrower window of automobiles: 1986 and 1987. Early on, the C4 automobiles had been in a continuing state of refinement, so the brake grasp cylinder modified a number of occasions by way of the years. The 1986 and 1987 model options an aluminum building with a small plastic reservoir. Like several older automobile, the grasp cylinder is prone to corrosion, which retains it from pushing the fluid correctly. Zip Corvette gives a brand new Grasp Cylinder, which is a simple answer to refurbishing an aged C4 Corvette braking system.
Observe alongside as Sleeperdude installs the brand new brake booster and grasp cylinder. Easy hand instruments are all that’s wanted to finish the set up, and most fans can full this set up within the consolation of their house storage as a weekend venture.
Greater than 20 years of neglect has left the booster and grasp cylinder on this 1987 Corvette in dire want of substitute, however this stuff could be widespread areas for issues, even in well-kept automobiles.Step one is loosening the brake line fittings on the grasp cylinder. It’s all the time essential to make use of a line wrench (12mm and 14mm) on the nuts to stop injury.Subsequent, the grasp cylinder is faraway from the brake booster. It’s held in place with two 13mm nuts that may both be eliminated with a wrench or quick socket and ratchet.The brake booster is held in place with two 13mm nuts that may be discovered beneath the sprint. Chances are you’ll want a mix of extensions and u-joints to succeed in it together with your 13mm socket and ratchet. The retaining pin can also be faraway from the brake pedal.The brand new metal brake booster from Zip Merchandise eliminates vacuum points that plague 1985-1991 Corvettes. It is a direct substitute for the unique plastic booster.The booster comes out of the field with new studs and nuts, in addition to the correct pushrod. Retain your authentic pin and clip and reuse on the brand new set up. One other piece of this brake restore job is a brand new grasp cylinder. It is a two-year design, used solely in 1986 and 1987, and the Zip Corvette product is direct bolt-in substitute of the unique.The grasp cylinder options the unique .875-inch bore dimension, that means that your C4 Corvette will retain its authentic pedal effort and efficiency. Josh removes the nuts off the bottom of the booster and slides it into place. The 2 studs move by way of the firewall and brake pedal help bracket. Then, he tightens the 13mm nuts.Underneath the sprint, Josh connects the unique retaining pin and clip to connect the brake pedal to the pushrod.Now it’s time to mock up the grasp cylinder, simply to make certain it suits correctly, and that the traces are the correct dimension and within the correct location. It’s going to now be eliminated so Josh can bench bleed it earlier than last set up.With the grasp cylinder clamped in a bench vise, Josh fills the reservoir with fluid, and attaches a bench bleeding package from the native components retailer.Utilizing an extended screwdriver, Josh slowly depresses the piston to push fluid by way of the clear tubes and again into the reservoir. As soon as there are not any bubbles within the tubes, it is able to set up.The grasp cylinder simply slides over the brand new studs on the brake booster. It’s a good suggestion to get the brake line becoming nuts began earlier than you utterly tighten the grasp cylinder.The 13mm nuts can now be tightened to connect the grasp cylinder to the brake booster. Zip Corvette gives Professional Line DOT 3 brake fluid with its Brake Overhaul kits. We had sufficient left over from a earlier set up to high off the reservoir and start the bleeding course of.Bleeding the braking system begins by pumping the pedal till you’re feeling rigidity. Then, have a pal or member of the family maintain rigidity on the pedal and loosen the 10mm bleeder screw to permit any air or soiled fluid to move by way of the traces and caliper. Repeat the bleeding till clear fluid comes out.Repeat the bleeding course of a number of occasions on every nook, beginning on the passenger rear. Then, bleed the driving force rear caliper, adopted by the passenger entrance (proven) and driver entrance, being certain to maintain the fluid topped off usually. After bleeding is full, fill the reservoir one final time and take a check drive.
Supply:Zip Corvette Parts 8067 Quick Lane | Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | (800) 962-9632
