diesel trucks: leaking hydroboost.

[clutchdust]

hey guys, haven't been around for a while since the truck hasn't sucked very much lately.  i have noticed a new fluid leak.  it's toward the back of the engine and at first i thought it was the lines from the oil coolers.  then i noticed i started loosing alot of power steering fluid but no leaks toward the front.  2+2= hydroboost leak.  checked the booster and found fluid under the small cadmium finished cylinder mounted to the side of the booster.  

has anybody ever seen one of these do this before?  is it worth repairing or should i just get an exchange?  what does that little cylinder do anyway?  i don't really know much about the hydroboost system so enlighten me.

[knuts]

I assume you're talking about the cylinder next to the master cylinder?

Seen it on my 02 6L 4x4 CC 2500HD the other day. Haven't done anything about it yet. Just noticed a small oily spot on it.  

 

Not real familiar with the newer hydraulic power assist brakes, I guess it uses the power steering pump to assist the braking.

I noticed my buddy's 02 Z71 still used vaccum booster, so I guess they all didn't change.

 

Karl

[seatec]

Are you guys talking about the blue anodized horizontal cilinder? Mine has a small spot of oil on it too.

WOnder what thing does?

[clutchdust]

seatec, mine is cadmium plated but i'm sure it's the same part.  i have talked to a couple other people with hydroboost and this is apparently the common point to fail.  everyone else says to just exchange it but at $200+, i was hoping an easy fix and a couple bucks would take care of it.  

for the time being, power steering fluid is cheap.  i'll just put a drip pan under it!