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so i pulled it apart and i found that the bottom part of the air-piston-thing (in the booster) there was a hole.







what should i do? i'd rather not replace the whole unit..

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I'm not real familiar with this particular power booster. However, my first thot is to get a new or good used replacement part and put it in.
HOWEVER, u mite consider taking a bolt, nut and a couple of washers and installing them thru the hole. Might have to get a bolt with a very thin head or have the head turned down or JUDICOUSLY grind it down on a grinder. If i remeber rite, there is a rod that pushes against the center of the piston in the pic. I'm guessing that is what eventualy weakened the center and thus pushed a hole thru it. Probably because there was not enuf vacuum to the power unit and someone got on it with a gorilla leg.

I would first try to find a replacement part. In the mean time try the bolt fix i explained above. What have u got to lose?????? That part is no good the way it is. So try fixxing it with a bolt thru the center.

I'm guessing that something was stuck in the hydraulic section and someone thought they could "push" it through by way of the pedal - not a wise move.

It's not often something goes wrong with the vacuum section in the TreadleVac, which is probably why the minor overhaul kit was made to rebuild only the hydraulic section. Unlike the repro minor overhaul kit, new parts for the vaccum section may not be readily available these days. Since the design of the vacuum piston assembly evolved over the years, you would have to download the 48-54 and 55-56 parts books to see if the part you need was used other years.

If the gasket is still in good shape, I suggest you locate a used assembly and transfer the part(s) you need. Otherwise, you may need to turn it over to a reputable rebuilder that specializes in the Treadlevac.

I don't know whether it's appropriate to recommend specific vendors on this website, but I can recommend Ed Strain down in Florida as a top notch rebuilder of Bendix TeadleVacs. He does hundreds per year and I have experience with perhaps a dozen he's done for friends of mine. You'll find his phone# in Hemmings in the Packard section. Like many rebuilders he has needed service parts manufactured for his own use, but not for sale individually.

i was thinking i may just JB weld the F out of it..

NO! That is definately NOT an application for JB Weld. Too much pressure put on it at that point.

Put a bolt thru it with a large washer on each side and a thin stop nut. Use a bolt big enuf in diameter. Might have to use a center drill to drill a recess into the bolt head to allow indexing of the acuator rod.

the problem is, i only have a grand total of ~1/8" to work with.. the piston rod seats against it at the place it broke on one side so thats 0" i have to work with on that side.. the thing itself is around 1/16" and there's another 1/16" space between it and the bottom part of the diaphram assembly thing.. and it has to be air-tight as well? *sigh*

J.D. over at maxmerrittauto.com is looking for a replacement for me.. so.. we'll see..

yep! he came through (just like i knew he would)! the replacement part is on the way!

also.. doing some research a friend of mine found this:

muggy weld

opinions?

the leather seal calls for "bendix vacuum cylinder oil".. i've heard i could use "mink oil" or "neatsfoot oil".. wadaya think?

I have no idea why anyone would want to fix one of these POS.

Replace it with something that is actually reliable and will not get you killed.

Just MHO.

Craig