Some of you might remember that the front wheel fell off my freshly restored 69 RS/SS 396. Well, here it is a couple of months later and I had it back from the body shop, good as new. Except the brake power booster was leaking quite badly.

So, I have a spare, but its from a B-body, which uses different length pushrods. No problem, I thought, I'll just swap the rods. Of course, I have only a vague theory about what's inside a booster. As I was about to get it apart, I thought "maybe there's a lot of spring pressure in here, I should stand to the side". That's a good thing (sort of, as you'll see) since sure enough, just as I get it apart... BOOM! There's massive spring pressure inside, and the case goes flying across the shop.

The worst part is it went flying and CRASHED into my freshly repainted fender, leaving a nice dent and chip in the fender :-(

No one to blame but myself, of course. What's funny is now if you read a current shop manual, they're just FULL of inane warnings, like "Don't stick your tongue to the battery post while holding the discharge side of the coil", but back in '69, not even a mention that "Hey Pedro, don't take this apart unless you damned well know what you're doing!".

- Dave

its really not funny but I could only imagine the look on your face when the booster came apart!!!

its really not funny but I could only imagine the look on your face when the booster came apart!!! wow, good thing you stepped aside!!!

I think if you go back and re-read your GM/Chevrolet "Chassis Overhaul Manual" you will see -
NOTE: When separating housings, maintain pressure on rear housing as it is under spring tension... ;)


BTW - Never hurts to ask about 'what's inside' on here first...

Yeah, I saw that, but given how hard it discharged, I'm sure what "maintain pressure" really means. Should it be in a press? I'm glad I wasn't standing in front of it or trying to hold it on by hand, fender damage notwithstanding...

Dude, that sucks! Hang in there, it's still a sweet 69, it's just like anything else, nothing more MONEY can't fix!!!!!!!

Oh Man...that is brutal. Given the previous mentioned wheel incident... I think my head might have popped off in a similar manner as the case had it been me.

>>>The worst part is it went flying and CRASHED into my freshly repainted fender, leaving a nice dent and chip in the fender :-(
<<<<
Geesh, did you walk under a ladder or break a mirror recently? :( Talk about bad luck...
Kev

Hate to say this but I will...I was going to do the same thing, thanks for the warning!

Dont beat yourself up over it. If we all were to come forward and be honest, you would find much more serious mistakes, some funny some not. At least you have the courage to admit a mistake and move on. Also looks as if you may have saved foreverlookin from the same mistake and that is the great thing of a forum like this. I hope you get it all back together and make this a distant memory.

All i have to say is, i am glad you're alright man:)

Just be thankful it was the fender and not your face. Much easier to fix. :-)

wow,,,i would have been happier standing in the way!!! we heal!!! the fender dont!!!

you could have spend a couple of days in the hospital just relaxing and dreamin about your cherry camaro when you got out....

im so sorry for you....we have all had our mishaps in our garages when a nice car sits in it!!!

wow,,,i would have been happier standing in the way!!! we heal!!! the fender dont!!!
Ditto. I have this bad habit of putting body parts under expensive and valuable falling car parts. Usually feet or shins, ocasionally something more important, like my forehead or something. Works out pretty well mostly. I might limp for a few days, but generally slow the speed of the falling part enough to prevent breakage.