Hydroboost Nightmare!!

[incubus2432]

I also have the 2 bolt system and the only non-reversible mod was the grinding of the actuator rod hole area. Not a big deal at all and the installation is plenty solid.

As I've stated I had some issues with BOB as well and a few installation issues. While I certainly would not recommend buying from BOB I would absolutely recommend the Hydroboost setup. I realize that I changed my whole brake system and much of the performance is due to the calipers/rotors but the Hydroboost is the backbone of the system. It stops on demand and has great feel. Even considering the issues I had and expense of the system I have zero regrets.

 

[MIB]

I've had mine installed for months. The install was pretty easy. Some fab work was required for the rod and mounting bracket. I managed to install a filter in there too. I am sorry your HB install has been a PITA.

 

[channer]

Thanks for the input guys. I need to do some more research!!!

MIB... I can't tell from the pics... is your system the 2 or 4 bolt HB system? what did pre-fab work did you do to the rod?

 

[MIB]

Thanks for the input guys. I need to do some more research!!!

MIB... I can't tell from the pics... is your system the 2 or 4 bolt HB system? what did pre-fab work did you do to the rod?

2-bolt. I had my rod tig-welded to the length I needed.

 

[dz28]

I have to agree; the hydroboost system seems to make the most sense and from a performance standpoint is probably the best. I believe in engineered systems though; what is the long term impact on the power steering pump, what are the failure modes for the hydroboost when running on a system it was originally not designed for, etc. Why isn't it a strict bolt on system Why does the rod length vary from setup to setup? Why do some need to have the firewall ground and others not? Why do some need a return filter to the reservoir and others not? Why can't they figure out a length of the overall assembly that doesn't heavily interfere with the power steering reservoir? The real difference for me is receiving what was sold to me. Had I known all the compromises necessary to make it work I may have made a different decision up front; I may have bought the hydroboost anyway but I would have liked to have had a plan up front to ensure it was going to work once installed. And don't even get me started on the quality of the stainless lines supplied by PBS Bobby... anyway... the car is running, the vacuum brakes work and if I had my refund from PBS Bobby I'd probably stop paying attention to this thread. The folks that have made their systems work I say bravo! , you probably have a higher level of tolerance for someone else's mis-steps. What I do know is I spent over a month trying to make the hydroboost work and less than 4 hours making the vacuum system work. With hydroboost the car sat and sat, with vacuum brakes (from GBodyparts.com, a shameless plug) I had the car running with good brakes in a half day... nuff said...

 

[C1RUN]

After my issues with the Hydroboost install, and the lack of involvement from POWERBRAKEBOB, I ended up going elsewhere and talking to somebody who knows the system and was able to ship me parts so I could finish my install. Vancopbs came through for me when Bobby was nowhere to be found. He listened to my problems and shipped me out the correct pieces I needed for much less than what Bob was selling them for. Bob never did answer my call or e-mail, leaving me several hundred dollars out and countless hours of frustration attempting to install his "bolt on" system. If I could give any advice to anyone looking to purchase a new Hydroboost System, DO NOT GO TO POWERBRAKEBOB!!! Give Van a call and see if he could help you out. POWERBRAKEBOB in the meantime will have to figure out how to answer the BBB and Consumer Affairs. As far as I can tell, he is ducking them too, as I have had no responce from any of the facilities I have listed complaints with.

After 3 months the car is finally back on the road, but with all the problems I have had it has taken away the "fun factor" of driving the car again.....

Thanks Bob

 

[TurboDave]

After my issues with the Hydroboost install, and the lack of involvement from POWERBRAKEBOB, I ended up going elsewhere and talking to somebody who knows the system and was able to ship me parts so I could finish my install. Vancopbs came through for me when Bobby was nowhere to be found. He listened to my problems and shipped me out the correct pieces I needed for much less than what Bob was selling them for. Bob never did answer my call or e-mail, leaving me several hundred dollars out and countless hours of frustration attempting to install his "bolt on" system. If I could give any advice to anyone looking to purchase a new Hydroboost System, DO NOT GO TO POWERBRAKEBOB!!! Give Van a call and see if he could help you out. POWERBRAKEBOB in the meantime will have to figure out how to answer the BBB and Consumer Affairs. As far as I can tell, he is ducking them too, as I have had no responce from any of the facilities I have listed complaints with.

After 3 months the car is finally back on the road, but with all the problems I have had it has taken away the "fun factor" of driving the car again.....

Thanks Bob

Does your alternate source have contact info and a web site we can visit?

 

[salvageV6]

Googled it, didn't read it yet for relevance.

powerbrakes hydroboosts vacuum boosters everything for your extreme braking needs

 

[channer]

I've been hearing good things about the HB system... but the vendor, the need to retrofit and other little problems has got me thinking... should I or shouldn't I.

The other system that I was looking at... Hydratech Braking Systems :: Hydroboost.com :: GM A/G Body
from the pics... the brake rod looks adjustable!!!

I've also been thinking about going the cheap astrovan route and found adjustable brake rod... question is, how do I removed thebrake rod...Performance Disc Brake Search Results from Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation (SSBC))

dave

 

[TurboDave]

I've been hearing good things about the HB system... but the vendor, the need to retrofit and other little problems has got me thinking... should I or shouldn't I.

The other system that I was looking at... Hydratech Braking Systems :: Hydroboost.com :: GM A/G Body
from the pics... the brake rod looks adjustable!!!


dave

Just a different name for Hydroboost. BTW, hydroboost systems are on 10's of thousands of vehicles around the country, nothing new or unique about it.

 

[WLDWST]

We are about half way into my Hydroboost install. Everything so far is a breeze. No major complications. Just have to finish up the hoses and it's ready for fluids. Should be done today. Hopefully will test Ok. Looking forward to it.

 

[C1RUN]

Here is the information for Van. If you do a search for Vancopbs you will find him in another thread on the Hydroboost steup.


Van
Vanco Power Brake Supply
Vancopbs.com
800-256-6295
Vancopbs@aol.com
Fax 323-563-1588

 

[Red Regal T]

We are about half way into my Hydroboost install. Everything so far is a breeze. No major complications. Just have to finish up the hoses and it's ready for fluids. Should be done today. Hopefully will test Ok. Looking forward to it.

Hey, Brakes look great! Lets get that steering column/coupler cleaned up! :biggrin:

 

[WLDWST]

Hey, Brakes look great! Lets get that steering column/coupler cleaned up! :biggrin:

Believe it or not it is on my list. With all the hoses and speedo cable etc hooked up you don't notice much else. The brakes will hold 15 to 18 lbs of boost easy. They work great. So far the only hassle is the noise. I am told it will subside after some air gets out of the sysyem. I hope so.

 

[bg86gn]

I bought a used hydraboost unit off of ebay. I also bought a used vacuum conversion off of ebay. I used the vacuum system. I had to modify the PM bracket to get the right angle on the unit but it sure does work great. There was nothing wrong with my PM unit so I installed it on a friends GN , whose unit didn't work. Now he has brakes. My vacuum install took longer because it was not a direct fit or it would have been easy. I had bought a Stainless Steel Brakes vacuum pump just in case but it wasn't needed. I think vacuum is the best way to go..But that's my opinion!!

 

[WLDWST]

Just the fact that I never have to worry about an electrical malfunction or a blown fuse again is worth every penny to me. I do agree with you though. The vacuum is probably the most cost affective and more reliable than the Powermaster. It would have been my first choice, had I not had experience with vacuum brakes on engines that don't generate vacuum. Just wasn't for me. Vacuum brakes do seem to work for more than a few. I do personally think the Hydroboost is more complicated to install, but when finished you have killer brakes. I also plan to upgrade my brakes all around and I think the Hydroboost is a good proven foundation. Like I said, I can hold 15 to 18 lbs of boost now. That's a hard act to follow for the Vacuum or the Powermaster.

 

[POWERBRAKEBOB]

Some Splaining To Do

Spam!

 

[SGRIM]

POWERBRAKEBOB,

You need to contact admin before trying to promote a product or services on this board!!

 

[TurboBuRick]

Just the fact that I never have to worry about an electrical malfunction or a blown fuse again is worth every penny to me. I do agree with you though. The vacuum is probably the most cost affective and more reliable than the Powermaster. It would have been my first choice, had I not had experience with vacuum brakes on engines that don't generate vacuum. Just wasn't for me. Vacuum brakes do seem to work for more than a few. I do personally think the Hydroboost is more complicated to install, but when finished you have killer brakes. I also plan to upgrade my brakes all around and I think the Hydroboost is a good proven foundation. Like I said, I can hold 15 to 18 lbs of boost now. That's a hard act to follow for the Vacuum or the Powermaster.

Install looks good! I have a hydratech system thats been on for a couple months. The brakes are killer but I to have a little noise (ps whine). Seems like it gets loud when turning the steering wheel. I would like to find the fix for this.
Did you T into the return line also or did you add a bung to the reservoir?

 

[WLDWST]

My reservoir was an option when I bought the kit. No T fitting. It is much less noisy now that I have a few more miles on it, but it still is a bit annoying.