How to Replace Brake Boosters
The brake booster in your vehicle provides the vacuum pressure needed to make applying brake pressure easy for most drivers. Without this vacuum pressure, you would need to apply the force of 10 people to get the same force you can get from modern brake boosters. Consequently, when your power brake booster fails, you will notice a dramatic decrease in brake performance. When this happens, you should replace the brake booster in your vehicle.
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Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench and socket set
- Tube nut wrench
- Pliers
- Masking tape
- Permanent marker
- New brake booster
Instructions
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1
Slide the tube nut wrench over the brake line to the master cylinder connection. The master cylinder is normally on the driver's side of the engine bay and mounted on the firewall. Orient the wrench so that it fits over the tube nut on the end of the brake line.
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2
Disconnect the brake line. Turn the nut counterclockwise to remove. Note the location of each brake line. There are four lines total, and they need to be put back in the same location when reinstalling the lines. You may want to mark them with masking tape and permanent marker.
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3
Unplug the master cylinder cap electrical plug.
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4
Remove the brake master cylinder to brake booster bolts with a socket wrench.
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5
Back the master cylinder off the brake booster.
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6
Unbolt the bolts holding the brake booster to the firewall on your vehicle.
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7
Pull the cotter pin out of the brake pedal to brake booster connecting pin with a pair of pliers. This is done inside the vehicle down in the driver side foot well.
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8
Pull the brake pedal to brake booster connecting pin out to disconnect the brake pedal from the brake booster connecting arm.
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9
Mark and remove the vacuum hoses on the brake booster and slide the booster off the firewall.
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10
Install the new brake booster. Installation is the reverse of removal.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For specific information about replacing your vehicle's brake booster, consult the particular vehicle's manual (see Resources).
After you replace the brake booster, you will need to have the entire brake system bled by a professional mechanic to remove any air in the brake lines caused by disconnecting the master cylinder.
