fbekholden.com

Hi all.
I currently have an FB with standard drums all the way around! Big question is, IS it worth putting a brake booster on? I am in the city, and although I have never had a stronger calf muscle in my LIFE! I would not mind if the old girl pulled up a little easier?.

So, is it worth putting a brake booster in, AND what type/types are suitable for the FB, Ebay seems to have many for sale, but several models claim they fit FB's. Which one do?

I won't go so far as to say my wagon is a daily driver, but it is regulalrly driven - running original drums with a VH40 booster.

It's been a long time since it was last 'unboosted', but I do remember the change in pedal effort being significant.

I can't answer your poll, I drive an EK daily

Boosted requires less pedal effort usually. My disc/drum setup sucked with a bad booster once replaced was great. My old EK ran unboosted drums and as Sunnytim pointed out it was a monthly ritual of adjusting them up, or have average brakes.

I can step out of my brembo equipped daily driver into the unboosted, manual EK and it doesn't really feel that bad.

A bit more forward thinking is all it takes, and a bit of regular maintenance.

If it was daily driven, I'd definately get a booster for those times when you're on autopilot after a long day at work.

VH 24 is the correct period booster for FB/EK's as Tim is using.The VH 44 is recommended for drum brakes. The VH40 which is recommended for disc brakes will also work on drums, as Brown Bear is using.

My old FB currently has drums ( everything rebuilt incl master cyl,wheel cyl etc ) and it pulls up enough for my liking.I drive it as it would have been driven in the 60's ( read old farts speed ) and the brakes are good enough for that type of use.Drop a caravan on or a loaded trailer and it might become a bit scary especially in traffic.

Boosted brakes don't actually make the brakes work any better, they just make it an easier pedal effort so it makes the braking experience more pleasurable ( couldn't think of an appropriate word there <-- ) .

As soon as I return from Yamba, I'm fitting a VH44 just to pleasure myself

Hi TJFive

are we assuming you still have a grey motor...?

what Terry says... drive it as it would have been driven in the 60's...leave enough room to the car in front and avoid roaring up to give/way and stop signs...steady as she goes...

I've driven my FB in heavy peak hour Sydney traffic for 3-4 years...unboosted...and never had a problem...

regards
Stewart

My FB gets driven on a daily basis however for the last couple of months, I have been driving our ek, which runs unboosted HR drums up front and EK drums on the rear. Although the pedal is very hard to depress, when you do put some muscle into it the car comes to a screeching hault very fast. The brakes are the best unassisted drum brakes I have ever encountered, and I think they are great. The plan is to fit a booster, so that my calf muscles can be once again in proportion to eachother

My wife puts the brakes on my pleasuring
For the record unboosted EH drums regularly driven I leave a gap and people pull into it I have a HR disk break front in the shed that I am arguing with myself about putting in

A booster will only make to pedal easier to depress - not make the brakes more effective or pull up quicker

Yep.

TJFive...Brilliant topic, will be watching and reading the comments eagerly as hubby and I were considering booster for our girl too.

Lulu

i have a VH24 in my hydromatic Ek, works like a dream!
got a reconditioned one from Hydroboost in melb. Worth the dosh!
hasnt let me down...