ECM Bracket

[captainrags]

What a day
Has anybody ever changed a ECM mounting bracket 4 hours upside down most of the time under the dash. If anybody needs any info on this job let me know.
Thinking it was steel and ECM was not sitting right so decided to bend the bracket of course it broke thus the new installation.
C4 1996 LT4

 

[95VETTE]

ecm bracket

Hi Captainrags, mine has been busted for years. Kind of sits on the cruise control module, I bought a new bracket years ago and have not wanted to undertake the work. Don't you have to remove the brake pedal and all the linkage to the master?

Thanks
95vette

 

[captainrags]

Hi Captainrags, mine has been busted for years. Kind of sits on the cruise control module, I bought a new bracket years ago and have not wanted to undertake the work. Don't you have to remove the brake pedal and all the linkage to the master?

Thanks
95vette

Yes master cylinder out and off, then the cable from cruise control and its really tight to get the booster unit out due to a cross member or frame bar coming at a 45deg angle.
Under dash there is a "U" clip to remove to separate the push rod from the brake pedal and two nuts that actually hold the booster on to the firewall getting them of I needed a 13m socket with universal joint to get to them. The unit then come out with a lot of cussing.
Instillation was more difficult due to the reinforcement bracket that backs up the fire wall that the booster trubolts, It moved up partially blocking the holes stopping the booster with new bracket from going back in. I used a wooden wedge under the steering column and a decent tap with a hammer on the wood and some tapered dowels to open up the holes for alignment (all done upside down of course) then wrestled with the booster to get it back in. Once that was done the rest was rather easy reconnected the hose and bench bled the master cylinder that all went in ok and a friend then hand pressed the brake pedal and I cracked and bled the pipes on the master cyl and have a great brake again.
There was no need to remove the complete brake pedal but its all very tight in there. Drop light and mirror of course is needed for familiarity and removal of the under dash carpeted panel. Going back in I used plumbers putty in socket to hold nuts in place in socket for installation.

 

[Hib Halverson]

What a day
Has anybody ever changed a ECM mounting bracket 4 hours upside down most of the time under the dash. If anybody needs any info on this job let me know.
Thinking it was steel and ECM was not sitting right so decided to bend the bracket of course it broke thus the new installation.
C4 1996 LT4

I've had the ECM bracket off my 95 but I didn't have to take the brake booster off. Mine's got a piece broken off it but is still useable.

 

[captainrags]

I've had the ECM bracket off my 95 but I didn't have to take the brake booster off. Mine's got a piece broken off it but is still useable.

Lucky you, the 96 is between thr booster and fire wall making it a bit bigger job
Ray

 

[boomdriver]

Lucky you, the 96 is between thr booster and fire wall making it a bit bigger job
Ray

Can't the bracket mounting holes be slotted to make removal/instalation possible without the removal of the top componant?

I know there are other things that people alter in this way...the radiator top shroud comes to mind... or like the body side panels with the secret 10mm bolt.

 

[captainrags]

Yes you could cut one at say 90 deg and one at 45 deg or simular however you would still need to go thru the original removing process any way. on my pict you can see where ive scratched the paint arround the holes trying to pust the unit down also you can see where one hole outboard is blocked by the steel suport inside.
Ray

 

[boomdriver]

Yes you could cut one at say 90 deg and one at 45 deg or simular however you would still need to go thru the original removing process any way. on my pict you can see where ive scratched the paint arround the holes trying to pust the unit down also you can see where one hole outboard is blocked by the steel suport inside.
Ray

Its also likely that IF you did slot the mounts, that you'd never have to change the thing again....always works that way don;t it?

 

[John Robinson]

Since the piece in question broke and you were having to replace it maybe you don't have to remove all the stuff you did to get it out. I guess my question is if enlarging the holes etc on the new bracket as suggested would allow it to go in without disassembling the brake etc then why not just finish the job on the old piece and break it up to remove it. Now the new piece that you have slotted can be installed. I just hope I never have to put my theory to use.

 

[95VETTE]

be careful

Anyone who has a broken ecm bracket beware. Mine rests on the cruise control module (the black bulb). Do not use cruise control, the ecm module may cause the cruise control unit to mal function. I didn't realize my bracket had broken, I was cruising down the highway with cruise on doing 75, noticed I was then doing 77, 79, 80, tried to shut off the cruise, tap the brake, nothing, push in the clutch and the engine redlined, ended up shutting it down at 85 and riding it out into the breakdown lane, scarry s---t. Opened the hood and there it was, the ecm bracket had cracked and came to rest against the cruise, pulled the fuse and off I went.

 

[captainrags]

Anyone who has a broken ecm bracket beware. Mine rests on the cruise control module (the black bulb). Do not use cruise control, the ecm module may cause the cruise control unit to mal function. I didn't realize my bracket had broken, I was cruising down the highway with cruise on doing 75, noticed I was then doing 77, 79, 80, tried to shut off the cruise, tap the brake, nothing, push in the clutch and the engine redlined, ended up shutting it down at 85 and riding it out into the breakdown lane, scarry s---t. Opened the hood and there it was, the ecm bracket had cracked and came to rest against the cruise, pulled the fuse and off I went.

Very good safety item. Thank you, I can definitely see that happening much appreciated.