Master cylinder & brake booster remove - Rennline strut brace

[Maxhouse97]

I am trying to install a Rennline 3 point strut tower brace that ties into the chassis under the brake booster assy. Is there a way, without completely removing it, that I could raise it by a half inch in order to sneak the Rennline brace under it? Or do I have to remove the several bolts, electrical connections, brakes lines etc. I tried the bottom four nuts but it won't budge. Heard there is a 17mm bolt on the side, and one in the footwell but I haven't messed with those yet. Car is an 87 Carrera.

[BER]

The Rennline products I have purchased came with installation instructions. Their website also has the instructions available to print/view. You may want to see if their instructions give you any suggestions.

I have two-point strut tower braces, so the brake booster was not an issue.

BER

[Maxhouse97]

Instructions unfortunately don't detail the booster removal.

[Ayles]

To get that half inch I think you will need to disconnect the support rod connecting the booster housing to the pedal cluster.

[Maxhouse97]

Photo of the brace

[steely]

I have never added the strut brace myself, but I did have to remove the booster once.
Here is a picture of what's under it.
I would think that you would have to disconnect the connector to the brake pedal underneath to give you some slack - then with the 4 mounting nuts off, you should be able to gently move the unit upward.

I would carefully watch the reservoir - the vacuum line to the booster, and the small brake lines to the master cylinder to see that they could be lifted a bit. I think you would be able to lift a bit, and then pivot some of it up. But I DO NOT know for sure.

EDIT - front of car is on the left. you may be able to see the leak (puddle) I had under the booster which brought me to this project in the first place.

[steely]

Originally Posted by Ayles

To get that half inch I think you will need to disconnect the support rod connecting the booster housing to the pedal cluster.

I agree - Mr. Ayles posted faster than I can type.

[steely]

Could this connector be disconnected under the dash?

EDIT - rotated during upload - gol durn it.
Can you see the connector I am referring to?
It is the point at which the rod is pivoted since I suspended it to work under the dash.

[Maxhouse97]

Thanks Dan - I see the connector. Very enlightening ... I did not realize the brake pedal connected through the bottom ( although I should have figured it out).

I'll try to disconnect that and see if I can lift it up a little. Any tricks to disconnecting the brake pedal actuator? Simple cotter pin?

[steely]

Originally Posted by Maxhouse97

Any tricks to disconnecting the brake pedal actuator? Simple cotter pin?

No tricks that I am aware of off-hand.
It's a re-useable pin, not expendable like a cotter.
Only key here is to replace on same side.
You will have to remove the Master Cylinder mounting bolt underneath.
This bolt, and the 4 mounting bolts should be torqued to 18 ft-lb.
You wouldn't happen to have a Bentley manual would you?
You may have to remove any heating/air duct work that is in the way near the booster / Master Cyl.

[Maxhouse97]

Yes I have a Bentley, but I always find that there ar things (tricks) that get left out. Like where exactly to push when disconnecting an electrical connector (not that I am doing that now).

Anyways thanks for the help. I have the cotter pin out, but in order to remove the bolt, I have to remove a brass colored support that is right next to it - seems to connect down to the base of the clutch pedal.

Gotta pause to watch the NFL playoffs - I'll let you know how it goes.

[brighton911]

I have the same Rennline brace in my car and the bracket goes on top of the master cylinder. If you placed it underneath, it would cock the booster/ mc cylinder, unless you shimmed the back side the same amount. There is minimal thread on the m/c stud sticking above the Rennline bracket so I suggest some Locktite just to be sure. It made a very positive difference to my car, enjoy.

[Ayles]

I read the directions on the rennline site and this point is nowhere to be found. Definitely makes it a much easier install.

[steely]

Originally Posted by Ayles

I read the directions on the rennline site and this point is nowhere to be found. Definitely makes it a much easier install.

Yeah, I did the same thing - I found that the link to the 3-point instructions only brought up a copy of the 2-point installation instructions. I couldn't find them in other words.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by steely

EDIT - rotated during upload - gol durn it.

Here is what I found to work for me. I first copy the photos from my iPhone to my PC. If I try using these pix on any forum they will turn sideways or even upside down, so the next step is to open the pictures I want to upload and just save them, without doing anything with them, then upload them. That seems to solve the problem.

[gliding_serpent]

I upload to photobucket

[steely]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Here is what I found to work for me. I first copy the photos from my iPhone to my PC. If I try using these pix on any forum they will turn sideways or even upside down, so the next step is to open the pictures I want to upload and just save them, without doing anything with them, then upload them. That seems to solve the problem.

Thanks zip', but they were already saved on my PC.
Maybe it is the original source (camera or one of several phones I have used) and/or the orientation/aspect? I should go back and look.
It doesn't do it all of the time.

[steely]

Originally Posted by gliding_serpent

I upload to photobucket

Do you then d/l from there?

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by Maxhouse97

I am trying to install a Rennline 3 point strut tower brace that ties into the chassis under the brake booster assy. Is there a way, without completely removing it, that I could raise it by a half inch in order to sneak the Rennline brace under it? Or do I have to remove the several bolts, electrical connections, brakes lines etc. I tried the bottom four nuts but it won't budge. Heard there is a 17mm bolt on the side, and one in the footwell but I haven't messed with those yet. Car is an 87 Carrera.

I believe the end of that brake rod link attaches to the MC housing via a threaded bolt (trunk area - 17mm?) You can see it in the photos (above the rearmost mount bolt to the trunk floor).

However, I doubt Rennline would suggest installing the diagonal brace bracket under the PB unit. Doesn't the bracket mount on top/beside it?

Suggest calling Rennline customer service to confirm.

Sherwood

[Maxhouse97]

Holy crap you guys are right - thanks! I was just about to remove the pin connecting the brake cables. Thankfully I didn't get too far.