vh24 / vh40 / vh44 - which is stock?

[blue ute]

Try Kevin 0418517886 he does the reproduction diaphrams from the original PBR mould - about $50.
Hydroboost may supply one as well but could be more ezpensive.

[CHO576]

sounds like the vh24 is the way to go then.

Just need to find a 2nd hand one for reconditioning then.

hmm ... not sure how easy thats going to be ....

[blue ute]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0383648442

[CHO576]

I definately have to change my search criteria for eBay --- checking every day, but missed this one.

Now - lets see what it goes for $$$$$$$$

Thanks for the heads up...

[CHO576]

Well, I got it!

It's been fully reconditioned internally and externally. Came with all the brackets - ready to install.

Also was lucky to pick up a spare Diapraghm for it (apparently they are not making them anymore? / hard to get).

Thanks for the tip!
Cheers
Jamie.

[rosco]

Bump.
Ok folk - just bouncing this one back up.
My VH40L has been leaking fluid from the master cylinder into the vacuum chamber for a little while now - over the past couple of years, this has only been around a bottle cap full every six months or so... I knew where it was going, because I put a piece of thin card into the vacuum hole.... and found the bottom wet with fluid.

But, two weeks ago I went to start the old girl up and the master cylinder was empty... and it was all in the vacuum reservoir....

I tried and tried to find where spare parts could be purchased - it's only the rear seal which is gone.. but no dice. Brake specialists want to either get a rebuilt replacement for you, or rebuild your unit.... at over $500..... either way - nup, unless it's a last resort.

I then went through ebay... and the usual thugs popped straight up offering rebuilds for about the same amount - and more.
One of our preferred aftermarket suppliers has the unit listed for just under $800....

I trawled and trawled and eventually came up with a Qld mob who are selling "new" - yes "new" PBR units for $367... so, you've got to ask yourself - "why would I pay nearly $500 for a reco?"....

I now have the unit - $6 for road surface delivery with signature required....

Place is .....'sales@onlineautoparts.com.au'

Now, the next step is to find out their supplier.

On the PBR box it came in - there are two addresses... obviously wholesalers... if I can get into them, I might just be able to source spare parts.... one of these is actually Robert Bosch, Australia right here in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne - the other one not too far away... guess they are the importers. There isn't a "made in China" label on the box.. nor the unit.. but........
$367 is an awful lot cheaper than either the $500 plus or nearly $800 for a reconditioned unit....

frats,
Rosco

[Harv]

Rosco,

Did you try Hydroboost in your quest for parts?

I had similar drama with my VH24, and found Terry from Hydroboost to be fantastic. In the end they don't do the VH24's anymore, but the info he sent me was priceless.

Cheers,
Harv

[WayneXG95]

Just a question, do you guys want them on your cars because it's a additional period accessories.
Or you need it to stop your car?

[rosco]

Harv, no - didn't try Hydroboost.. but might case Terry up for parts for the one I'm about to pull out - the blasted thing works absolutely fine... doesn't loose vacuum and the pedal stays hard for 5 minutes...but, it leaks fluid out the rear seal - even though it's in release.
When applied - it doesn't leak... so, I fully expect it's the rear seal which has a damaged lip...

Wayne, this booster was fitted in 1983... if I get as long out of the one I've just bought - I'll probably be a passenger in the car by then...

I made the corporate decision back in '83 to replace everything - and use silicone fluid... not one metal part of the system has anything to suggest it's been used... the rubbers of the working parts are as new - with only dulling of the contact surfaces....

So, although you are probably going to suggest I upgrade to a modern dual unit - I probably won't.
I have seen modifications made where the booster has been sent forward of the hood spring assemblies - and am not in love with them.

Had I decided to fit an auto to this dear old thing back in '83 - it would have a modern booster on the firewall.... dual circuit.

Harv - I'll chase up Terry and see if he can get a kit in - I've never pulled one of these down - I did a Girling one once, and found out that the spring can really hurt as it forces the cover plate into your face...

The ABS bloke here in Croydon wanted to charge me around the $500 mark to fit a kit a few years back... told me that he'd never done one - that was enough for me.... if he was going to have to learn - I'd much rather it be me... I simply don't have any respect for tradespersons... there are, however - very few exceptions..

frats,
Rosco

[WayneXG95]

No suggestion mate, my girls stop just fine I was wondering why you need one, unless your towing a caravan regularly or your brake system needs a rebuild I was curious as to why, seems a huge expence for little gain?

[Harv]

No suggestion mate, my girls stop just fine I was wondering why you need one, unless your towing a caravan regularly or your brake system needs a rebuild I was curious as to why, seems a huge expence for little gain?

My FB had a VH24 on it when I bought it (truth be known, I bought Jamie's car, the same one mentioned at the start of this thread). It's been overhauled at some stage, and I don't mind the look in the engine bay. I routinely tow a trailer that weighs close to 1.5 tonne, and the boost-assisted brakes handled it well. The car had been in storage for nearly a decade prior to me buying it, and I suspect the diaphragm got hard. After about 6 months of me driving it, the diaphragm crapped out - put your foot on the brake and the idle went up as it sucked in air. I disconnected the vacuum line, and plugged the manifold side (this instantly fixed the idle issue). I drove it for a year like that - fluids going through the VH24, but no vacuum assist. To be honest, I don't notice much in the way of change - the pedal is perhaps slightly harder to push, but boosters do nothing for overall capacity anyway. I find that it still stops the trailer fine- just like before, if you are heavy on the brake pedal it will lock up and freight-train.

I had trouble sourcing a replacement diaphragm (wasn't too sure if the one Jamies originally had would be perished too). Terry from Hydroboost was very helpful, but no longer stocks the VH24 diaphragms. Apparantly someone (Queensland?) purchased the moulds and did a limited run, but is no longer making them. I finally managed to get a new diaphragm via eBay. I've since stripped the VH24 out of the car. The plumbing is pretty simple, and it was a simple bolt-up using a factory line from the spare-parts-department to keep the car on the road. Sadly, I keep getting distracted, and the VH24 is still on the bench waiting for me to put the diaphragm in. The performance of the brakes with no booster at all is again similar to when it had the booster.

All-up, my own view is that the VH24 is a nice period accessory, but gives you bugger-all extra brake capability.

Cheers,
Harv

[WayneXG95]

Clear as crystal Andrew...

[Mick]

rosco's car has disc brakes wayne and disc brakes with no booster = not fun though still better than any standard brakes i've driven with

you must have been looking at a dufferent ebay to me rosco they were dear but not that dear i end up going with hydroboost (not on ebay) $295 no exchange (and rebuilt unit not brand new) except you want to keep yors he would take $100 off for an exchange

[rosco]

Yes, Mick - trying to stop my old girl with no vacuum in the booster is..... ummmm...."fun".

Thanks for the update on Hydroboost rebuilds - I'm certain the forum will appreciate your information.
I didn't find them when I went looking through ebay - I just typed in VH40 - and only the high end rebuilds came up... until I found the Qld mob above who retail new units. I believed the $367 was good value for a new unit.... and the $6 shipping was even cheaper than some of the little orders for slot car parts I get regularly from Sydney...

frats,
Rosco