Power Brake Booster May Have Gone Out?

[gearshift]

One of my brake calipars was sticking. I found this out by noticing my year old brake pads warn to the metal. I replaced the calipar with loaded brakes, and bled the brake. At that point, it felt like my brakes were manual, not power assited. I ended bleeding all of the brakes 2 more times, but still they brakes are super stiff and I need both feet to press down on the brakes to stop.

Has anyone needed to replace their Powr Brake Booster before? If so, what signs lead you to having replace it? Are booster expensive? Thanks in advance for any reply.

 

[dburgjohn]

Power Brake Booster

The booster is a little work, but not impossible. The toughest part for me (6' 240 lbs) was getting under the dash to remove the inside bolts. When they go bad, there is usually a sound of air leaking. Is it possible that you pulled the vac line off the booster? It is a large diameter hose and should be easy to check.

 

[garycr14]

Yes they are expensive. Shop around if you have time. I had mine done at a shop, new booster and master cylinder for $1100! OUCH! Will do it myself next time (I hope there isn't).

 

[tyrel]

Oh boy is that power booster fun to change. I had to remove the seat in order to get under there. Let's put it this way: you'll never know how big and clumsy your hands are until you change the power brake booster on a C4.

 

[86PACER]

Excessive force to brake and a hissing or leaking sound from under the dash when the brake pedal is depresses are classic symptoms of a bad brake booster. Your profile does not say what year your Vette is. I replaced mine on my 86.The hardest part was getting to one of the 4 mounting bolts under the dash. Using a flexible joint on my ratchet extension solved this. If you are big and tall, the hardest part will be laying sidways under the dash. If you are small, it's easy. Other that that, just remove the mounting bolts under the dash, remove the master cylinder, and replace it. You might have to disconnect the brake lines at the master cylinder to allow the booster to clear. I bought a replacement booster made of metal at an Advance Auto parts store for $90. The metal ones eliminate the possability of melting a hole in it by heat if you where to put headers on your vette in the future. Some even come with a lifetime warranty.

 

[gearshift]

Power Brake Booster

My Vette is an 89. I have not heard any hissing sound or leaking noises. Just takes some big time pushing on the brake peddle to stop. This all seemed to happen after replacing one calipar and set of brakes.

I checked the vac line and it is attached to the boster- dead center.

Any other advise will be appreaciated. Thank you.

 

[gearshift]

Power Brake Booster was the problem

Team,

I fixed the problem by replacing the power brake booster. After seeing all the complaints about how hard it is, my solution in getting done very quickly was to use a flexible socket adapter. To uninstall and install was about one hour.

Cuation, I accidently disconnected the master cylindar brake lines, which then led me to have to bleed the brake system. You don't have to disconnect these, just carefully move the the master cylindar away from the power brake booster unit without bending the lines.

 

[Edmond]

I replaced the master cyliner and booster last year and it took me 4 hours! I kept getting dizzy from being upside down so there were a lot of breaks! :L

Glad to hear that everything is okay. There's nothing scarier than having brakes that don't function 100%

 

[WhalePirot]

Yikes....$1100?

I did the priciest option with a hydroboost and spent only $900!

The stock '84 brakes stop with the best, now and I use NO vacuum booster.

 

[rmuff]

2001 brake booster

Edmund. I hope you still access this site. Perhaps you can provide me with some help regarding my vacuum booster? I have been unable to remove the upper driver's side 15mm nut on the booster of my 2001 convertible. There is some type of (electrical?) can sitting in the way on top of the steering column, and it doesn't appear to be easily moved.

 

[vetteboy86]

Edmund. I hope you still access this site. Perhaps you can provide me with some help regarding my vacuum booster? I have been unable to remove the upper driver's side 15mm nut on the booster of my 2001 convertible. There is some type of (electrical?) can sitting in the way on top of the steering column, and it doesn't appear to be easily moved.

Your best bet would be to start a new thread in the C5 tech section. You can also send a private message to Edmund to alert him of this post. I'm pretty sure that he didn't have his C5 at the time of making this specific post, probably his 35th anniversary.