Here’s the skinny on Brake Booster replacement/rebuild and upgrading from a Single Master Cylinder to a Dual Master Cylinder. I have a ’66 Chrysler TC with Power Brakes so this information is for my Year, Make and Model but may be applicable to other Years, Makes & Models as well. The original Brake Booster is a MIDLAND. The only replacement I can find is an A-1 CARDONE Part # 503530. You can get one from RockAuto for $78.79 with a $35 Core Charge = $113.79 plus tax/shipping. As for a Dual Master to work with POWER 4-DRUM Brakes the applicable ones are (from RockAuto); Dorman M71258 for $22.79 NO CORE CHARGE Raybestos MC36221 for $29.79 NO CORE CHARGE A-1 Cardone 131323 for $22.79 NO CORE CHARGE I’ve read on different forums the pros and cons of buying an already remanufactured booster vs getting your own rebuilt. Based on that info the route I’m taking is to get mine rebuilt. It’s a bit more costly than buying a remanufactured Cardone from RockAuto or some other vendor (+CORE), but in the long run I’ll feel more confident of its repair. I’m sure many have had good luck with a Cardone from RockAuto or some other vendor, but it’s more of a personal preference at this point. Besides, rebuilding mine I’ll be keeping the original booster that came with the car. During my research I checked out 3 vendors who rebuild boosters; Booster Dewey in Portland, OR, Harmon Classic Brakes in Valley Glen, CA and Karp’s in Upland, CA. I talked to all three gents and naturally got different price quotes. I also inquired whether they supplied Dual Masters for my application (4-wheel drum & upgrading from a single master to a dual master). The prices reflected below for each vendor include installing the MC onto the booster and making the necessary and proper adjustments for a plug and play installation. [B]http://www.boosterdeweyexchange.com/[/B] Booster Dewey in Portland. $150 to rebuild the booster, $90 for a Raybestos dual master & $25 for shipping = total $265 [B]http://harmonclassicbrakes.com/contact/[/B] Harmon in Valley Glen, CA. $165 to rebuild the booster, $120 for a dual master (no brand given) & $40 for shipping = total $325 [B]http://www.karpspb.com/[/B] Jeff @ Karp’s - $165 to rebuild the booster, $60 for a dual master (no brand given) & $19 shipping = total $244 Dan Skully recommended Karp’s to me. He’s used them a couple of times and is satisfied with their work. He sent them his own MC to be installed on his booster and I’ll do the same by sending along the Raybestos MC36221. Providing my own MC will save me about $20 bringing my total price down to $224. Hopefully this information is helpful to anyone thinking of doing the same type of repairs or upgrades.
