How hard is it to replace a Brake booster

EnergyFX · August 22, 2004

I am gettins a very loud hissing noise from the brake pedal. Am I correct in assuming this means the booster is failing? Brakes are quite spongy as well. This all happened all of a sudden.

How difficult is it to replace the booster? Would I be better off saving the headache and just coughing up the $$$ at a service shop?

budhayes3 · August 22, 2004

Replacing the brake booster isn't as big a job as it sounds, you shouldn't even have to open andy brake lines. Unbolt the master from the booster with the lines still on it. Perform a couple of checks on the booster first. With your foot on the brake pedal while starting the engine, the pedal should go down slightly as the engine starts. Also, if you pump the pedal with the engine off, it should get harder. If it stays mushy or even bleeds down, there may be a leak.

Also, if you do need to replace the booster, check if the rod from the booster to the master is adjustable...if so, you don't want to over or uneradjust it. Overadjusting it will keep the brakes applied, and underadjusting it will make the pedal feel like poop.