Brake Booster Repair Kit – Some Buying Tips and Suggestions

Brake Booster Repair Kit – Some Buying Tips and Suggestions

The brakes can still be used when the brake booster fails. But, the braking power whenever you step on the brake pedal won’t be the same. It will take a longer distance for the vehicle to stop, and the brake pedal will be much harder to press. The power brakes won’t have as much power as it used to. A defective booster may be blamed on the lack of vacuum, a punctured broken diaphragm, or mechanical failure. Heat and pressure can cause this brake component to fail. Regular use can definitely take a toll on its health. Good thing is, the brake booster can still be restored to its good condition. All you need is a brake booster repair kit that typically comes with replacement boosters, bolts, nuts, seals, mounting hardware, and other parts. This kit isn’t really hard to come by. You just have to keep some reminders in mind to get the right one.

The size of the brake booster, number of diaphragms used, and other specs vary depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle. For you to get the right repair set, you have to indicate the complete vehicle details to search for a kit with parts that match the kind of brake booster in your vehicle.

As you diagnose the booster problem, you have to find out the reason for its failure. It can be a cracked diaphragm, brake fluid leak from the master cylinder, lack of vacuum, or damaged parts. Once you figure out the real problem, you can look for a repair kit with the needed parts and tools that you need to fix it. You have to check the hardware and tools included in the kit so you’ll know if it has what you need for the repair.

The brake booster repair kit may cost anywhere between 45USD and 165USD. You can find better prices if you shop around and compare. Some sellers offer to match the prices from other stores or can give you discounts through coupons, promos, and other deals.

How to Remove the Old Brake Booster and Use the Brake Booster Repair Kit

The brake booster makes it easier to press on the pedal to slow down or stop the vehicle with least trouble. When the booster fails, the pedal becomes hard to push. The brakes may still work, but it takes a while or a much longer distance before the vehicle can be brought to a halt or slowed down. Good thing the booster can still be fixed. All you need is a brake booster repair kit that’s specially designed for the type of booster in your vehicle. Once you have this kit, here are the steps to remove and fix the broken booster.

Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

Things you’ll need:

  • Nose pliers
  • Slip joint pliers
  • Ratchet and socket
  • Ratchet extension
  • Wrench
  • Brake booster repair kit

Step 1: Look for the booster rod that’s connected to the brake pedal. Use the vehicle manual as a guide.

Step 2: Take out the cotter pin using nose pliers. This pin links the booster push rod pin to the brake pedal.

Step 3: Set free the push rod pin from the brake pedal. After releasing the pin, the push rod must slide off the brake pedal.

Step 4: Use a ratchet, socket, and ratchet extension for unscrewing the mounting nuts from the brake booster studs. The booster studs should extend through the firewall, near the brake pedal in front of it.

Step 5: Disengage the vacuum hose from the brake booster using slip joint pliers.

Step 6: Undo the nuts that secure the brake master cylinder to the brake booster using a wrench or ratchet and socket.

Step 7: Detach the brake master cylinder from the booster and make way for removing the booster.

Step 8: Take out the brake booster from the firewall and from the vehicle.

Step 9: Check the brake booster. Look for damaged or missing hardware such as nuts and bolts.

Step 10: Fix the broken booster using the brake booster repair kit. Use the replacement parts from the kit such as the seals, bolts, nuts, and other hardware, depending on the damage.

Step 11: Reinstall the repaired brake booster.

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