power assisted drums

[botcolon]

hi there,

I have a 70 bus (aussie RHD) that is drums all round. Bog standard. This means, dual circuit, no booster. I can't seem to find a bias valve either.

I wish to make it a little more wife friendly and am considering my options

ie
1. mechanical booster + mc
2. remote booster. For safety, probably need 2 of these

For option 1,
I would need to weld in a booster bracket, I know this, but I also noted that the steering damper goes towards the drivers side on my bus. Would this need to be relocated to the passenger side?
I spoke to hydroboost.com.au in melbourne, and he suggested getting a nice little 7" gemini booster. It has a 2:1 push ratio, and can easily be modified to the m/cylinder bolt pattern and piston stroke. Very similar to the creative engineering product:

http://creative-engineering.com/ind...ategory_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26
CE told me this kit is for splitty's only.

Can I weld a bracket onto a beam still in the car? Would this effect the torsion bars inside it?

A 7" booster is nice, as it won't foul the handbrake cables, but it won't fit with the steering damper as it is. Has anyone done this conversion before? I want to keep the drums as they are great and I love the 205 stud pattern.

Option 2, would be less welding, but I think a messier job. I would need to locate the 2 boosters and then have 4 brake pipe lines in and out of the master cylinder to keep the dual circuits.

any advice on this would be great.
thanks
michael

 

[BJ1]

We call boosters "servos" over here.

I've fitted a remote servo to drum brakes before and it makes a real difference. A 7" servo is big enough so ne need to fit two, and yes you can weld the bracket to the beam in situ, bearing in mind that the beam is full of grease so do it quickly and expect some smoke! Changing the damper to the other side is fine providing you get the bracket in the right place so measure carefully.

I'm surprised you have no balance valve on your bus - it should be high up under the body behind the master cylinder. I would certainly fit one for safety reasons - it makes the brakes less likely to lock up on all four wheels under heavy braking pressure.

 

[kleinbusRonnie]

I'm in the process of fitting a servo to my 68 westy. But i'm also converting the front brakes to late bay discs.

One of my friends have a 70 deluxe and these model are born with the servo and drums,(but now it also have discs up front)
As a start i test drove his bus, and it did brake very nice..a bit like a modern car. Then i checked it out technically and finally made a lot of measuring on my own.
As i like to clean things up, and our weather demand some anti rust paint, i took the beam of to weld and paint it.

I use a servo from a late bay, it does fit under the floor.

i still need the part that is mounted on the brake arm and goes into the servo, and off course a correct master cylinder, and to create some vakuum from my engine.

I do have a balance valve on the shelf, but my bus does not have the holes for it, so i try without as a beginning.

As a lhd bus i have no problem with the steering damper, i would simply move it to opposite location.
i do have pics from that deluxe bus and my own tests, say if you want them here.

Heres some pics after paint.

paint still wet, i painted it tonight

Ronnie

 

[BJ1]

Nice job Ronnie and good to see some helpful pictures up in this section How's Copenhagen? I was there about 6 weeks ago - lovely city!

 

[kleinbusRonnie]

Yes, i hope Botcolon can use the info.
I forgot to mention that there was no smell of burnt grease or so when i welded on the beam
I have a 180A welder and it was set to maximum power.

Regarding the position of the bracket, (if he uses the direct servo), it by far the best to have the servo in hand, so he can place it on the beam to measure correctly.

I would take the beam off. It's not that difficult

Copenhagen is nice as ever..but the season for our Vw's are over now, its cold and the roads are salted
Remember to taste our danish beer...not Tuborg or Carlsberg..the ones made by small breweries around town.


Botcolon if you need further pictures let me know.

Ronnie