Firebreed

Alright, my power break booster fail on me, and im a compet novice to breaks, so i just got two question for you guys. but first the problem
i get vacume at the hoses, yet the break petal is stiff as heck when you push it down, i can barely stop the my car.

1) How hard is it to install?

2) do i need to bleed the system after the install? (i dont mess with breaks that often, havent had to do anything with them on the car so i have no clue about it)

From what the haynes manual says it looks preaty easy. so im gonna attempt it today.

kevinc

It's a pretty easy swap, you don't open the hydraulics if you do it right so no bleeding necessary.

I'd first be sure it needed replacing though...if you disconnect the big vacuum hose w/ the engine shut off you should get a nice vacuum hiss. Don't matter if it's minutes or hours after engine shutdown, a working booster will hold vacuum nearly forever.

Firebreed

Their is no hiss from the Booster, and the only time any vacuum is pulled is when the car is on (from the hose).

MrDude_1

before you replace that pricy booster, go get a new one way check valve from the auto parts store.


this valve is what holds the vacuum in the booster, even when the engine is off.

its only a couple bucks, and from what you just said, its probly your problem.

Firebreed

I still think its the Booster because even when the car is on the break pedal is still hard to press down, and it takes a while to stop.

MrDude_1

btw, if you replace the booster:

• take off the underdash panel so you can see the pedals.
• remove the clip holding the booster rod to the brake pedal, slip the rod off.
• go underhood and take the two nuts holding the master cyl to the brake booster off.
• slip the brake master cyl off, but leave all lines connected.. DONT open the system
• take off the vacuum line from the booster. i usually unplug the check valve from it... it SHOULD be hard to pull since theres a vacuum in there
• take out the two nuts holding the steering column up.. let it
  hang down.
• using a long extention and a deep socket, get the four nuts off of the brake booster
• pull the booster out, be aware of the rod in the master cyl side.. dont let that fall out.
• regrease that rod if needed and put it in the new booster... install is the reverse.. lol

MrDude_1

the engine isnt always making vacuum.... so it might still be the valve.


you'll want a new valve when you replace the booster anyway.. and like i said, its only a couple dollars...

Firebreed

Ill replace it anyways for sure, and i know for sure that the engine is making vacume cause i get a hiss from the hose. and not from the brake booster.

kevinc

I had steered clear of the check valve as the complaint sounded like no assist during operation...which means it's got engine vacuum present.

I'm thinking it's either the booster or some seriously internally-mangled rubber brake hoses.

Hard to imagine a booster failing but I guess it happens...my '82 piece has 350K+ miles on it and still going strong. (did I just jinx it?!?)

Firebreed

I bet you did :P anyways, yes While im driving, parked, idleing, ect. I have NO power assist.