What type of nut is this?

[Troy]

Ok, so I'm messing with the brakes on the Mach 1 and one of the nuts holding the booster to the firewall looks like this.





It seems like it only has one flat edge - possibly two if the top is also partially flat but I can't get a good view of it. I have been assured this isn't stock but my bigger question is: how do I get it off? It's on the stud behind the clutch pedal/over center spring so there's no room to get a special socket (like a gatorgrip) in there. I can barely get a regular wrench in there and, even when I do, it will only have about 1/4-1/3 of an arc to swing.

Troy

[b5blue]

I can't see your pic. but small vice grips are priceless. 

[Troy]

Fixed the pictures. As you can see, not much will fit in there. I can get a 5/8" wrench on it in exactly one position but I've already turned it as far as it will go before hitting the clutch rod.

Troy

[A383Wing]

I don't think it a nut...it should be part of the bracket...the bolt comes out, the "nut" stays

[Troy]

Funny, the service manual shows a bolt coming from the outside but there isn't one - only five studs on the back of the booster.

Troy

[694spdRT]

Have you already broke it loose? Maybe you could lightly tap it with a chisel the rest of the way off.

I have drilled them from the side to get rusted nuts off but I doubt you have that kind of room.

[kab69440]

From the look of it, I'd try a common basin wrench. It looks like it will fit in there.

[tan top]

undone a a few locking wheel nuts like that but only bigger ! find an old 1/4 or 3/8 inch  scocket that fits  then weld one edge of the scocket & grind to shape with a dremmel or something ! then tap it on with a hammer 

[bull]

Nut zert installed from the other side?

[Troy]

Well, I'm (mostly) an idiot. There are 5 studs coming out of the brake booster but only 4 go all the way through the firewall. The 5th holds a reinforcement plate to the booster and there's a bolt next to it that holds the plate to the firewall. Due to being upside down and twisted up like a pretzel I didn't notice the threads coming into this weird nut weren't parallel to the other studs. I found the bolt on the outside and everything loosened up nicely once it was out. I have a picture somewhere but I haven't uploaded it yet. The service manual doesn't mention it. It does mention the spacers inside the backing plate but doesn't tell me how many (I only came up with 2 after they fell out on the floor).

Now, on to breaking all the lines trying to get them loose from the distribution block!

Troy

[b5blue]

Good luck Troy I have had very good luck with the Fords I had in the past! 

[Troy]

Well, after a few minor mishaps and several thousand curse words I got it back together. Factory power disc brakes rock! Compared to the Charger (R/T with 11" drums) this thing stops like an F1 car. The booster actually went out about 2 miles into the trip home from buying it and I drove it all last summer on the MC alone (which still worked really well) so I've never actually driven it when the brakes were "right". I didn't change all the lines so now I suppose the extra pressure will probably start springing leaks.

Just FYI - The MC finally went out at the end of last summer. I was driving along and the brakes were just gone all at once. I assumed I blew a hose or something but there was nothing leaking. Back at the garage I checked over everything and finally popped the lid off the MC. It was empty. Well, I talked to a mechanic friend and he said it may be leaking into the booster from the rear seal. Not only will that kill the booster but he said the fluid will get sucked into the engine and burn without smoking or being noticeable. When I got it all apart he was right as the booster probably had 1-2 pints of fluid in it (which is now on my garage floor). Sooooo, check those fluid levels even if you don't see a leak! Luckily I was on a back road with no traffic when I shot through the stop sign or this would be a totally different story.

Troy