Power Brake Booster Differences

[BlueSS454]

Guys,

Can anyone tell me what the actual difference(s) are between the drum brake booster and the disc brake booster?  Is it just a physical difference, or are they internally different also?  Then the next question is, can I take a drum booster off a car, and put the disc booster on without any mods?  I need to replace the booster on my car and I see that the disc one is listed with a part number remanufactured.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

The drum brake booster made by Midland -Ross is a single diaphragm design and the Bendix disc booster is a dual diaphragm design.  I would assume the heavier duty Bendix dual diaphragm unit was needed to assist in the 4 piston calipers squeezing the rotors.
The single diaphragm design was enough to assist the cantilever drum brake action.

Can you use one on the other?  I would guess so...I have seen it done. They mount the same physically.  Trying to find a correct Bendix style without giving up your first born is pretty hard.  There was supposed to be repros in the works....

[BlueSS454]

THis is the one on the car, the drum brake one....



This is the one that Advance is showing for the disc brake cars...



The second one just looked a little wider.  I wasn't sure if it would cause any issues with the brake lines.  I'd like to put the correct one on there for a disc setup if it will work.  The lines on mine exit towards the fender of the car and has power drum brake lines on it.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Advance might be showing that Bendix booster but they DO NOT have it...they will even let you go as far as ordering it.  You'll get an email the next day saying its not in stock....been there done that.

The Midland Ross drum brake one you can get all day long.  many sellers on ebay have them in the correct yellow cad finish as well....

[BlueSS454]

Thanks for the tip on Advance.  I'll check on ebay, if I can't find one, I'll order the Midland Ross booster.  Main thing I'm going for right now is having the brakes work right.  The booster on the car is leaking so bad it pulls the pedal to the floor randomly.

[resq302]

Tom,

What does your current booster look like?  If you are in absolute dire need, I have a spare bendix booster that I was going to eventually send out to have refurb'd but right now cash is EXTREMELY tight since the purchase of the house.

[Chatt69chgr]

The Bendix booster mentioned can be rebuilt by Prior Brake in Ft. Worth, TX.  And they charged the same as if I had ordered one from them (which they don't have in stock).  I believe it was around $90 to have it rebuilt.

[BROCK]

I have used Prior several times with great results!

[squeakfinder]

What are you using for disc brakes? My 68 had power drum brakes, but I installed mid 70's A body disc's. The brake booster is the same as the smaller non Bendix style that you have pictured and appears to be identical to the A body booster except for the bolt pattern going through the firewall.

I also needed a new booster but was able to get a rebuilt one from Less Schwab.

My brakes on the Charger work just as good as the ones on are 76 Scamp.

Don't forget to add a different proportioning valve.

[chargerguy111]

Someone evidently changed my 68 Charger over from drum to disc because it has the single piston caliper on it.That's fine because they are a lot cheaper to replace but....from what I understand it still has the drum brake power booster on the car.I bought the car not running so I don't even know if this set up will work or has ever worked.I've also read somewhere on here about having to use some sort of different plate on the firewall for a certain type of booster.I am ready to buy my booster but want to make sure I get the right one,so any info would be greatly appreciated.Thanks all.

[squeakfinder]

Why buy another booster? I'd get the car running first and find out how well your brakes work first.
If it was originally power drum brakes that booster should be allwright unless its deteriorated and needs replacement. In that case you'll be exchanging your current booster for a rebuilt one, so you could compare bolt patterns when it arrives at whatever parts house you purchase it from. 
The A body conversion used to be pretty popular. Not sure if that's what you have though.

[chargerguy111]

Does anyone know if the bolt pattern between the two is different or not?

[purple charger]

Does  Prior Brake put the orginal finish back on when they rebuild it? And do they reuse the band or do they crimp it like the ones from Auto Zone ect.?

[Chatt69chgr]

Seems like I painted my booster myself after they rebuilt it.  I'am talking about the Bendix booster.  It's crimped together-----there is no band.  My booster came out of a 69 C-body so the actuator rod was too long.  They changed it to the correct length rod for no extra charge.  If you have questions for them you probably can still call them.  I did.  They were very helpful on the phone.  I liked dealing with them.  Very professional and courteous.  Can't say the same about Cardone.  They wouldn't give you the time of day.  Prior, at one time, did rebuilds for NAPA.  That's how I found out about them.