Brake booster

[tambo]

The other day DH's truck made a hissing sound when he used his brakes. He couldn't hear it under the hood. In the cab it sounded like air leaking. If he held them down long it would make the motor sputter like a vaccum leak. He thinks it is the brake booster. He has a 96 GMC 1500 V6.

Has anyone changed a brake booster out themselves?

Tammy

[moopups]

Power brakes are a vacuum assisted movement of a large diaphragm, located just in front of the steering wheel but in the engine compartment. It is a simple matter to remove the brake master cylinder, two bolts, ease it away without separating the metal lines.

The basketball size vacuum assist is the round, mostly flat, thing that is where the assist action happens. Check first to see if the vacuum line to the upper center of the engine are intact, (both connections). These have been known to fail. Check by spraying a flammable liquid, such as WD 40, if there is an engine speed change, that is the problem, not the diaphragm within.

Ease of change? Put your 10 year old on the phone.

[auctioneer]

Originally Posted by tambo

The other day DH's truck made a hissing sound when he used his brakes. He couldn't hear it under the hood. In the cab it sounded like air leaking. If he held them down long it would make the motor sputter like a vaccum leak. He thinks it is the brake booster. He has a 96 GMC 1500 V6.

Has anyone changed a brake booster out themselves?

Tammy

If it is built like a '95 Tahoe, it is fairly easy but for the retaining clip on the brake pedal to power booster rod. There isn't much room to work in. In advance, get a special retainer for this connection that you'll have to get at the dealer (under $2) because you'll destroy the old one when you *finally* get it torn off. Since they are cheap, I'd get two in case you drop one into parts unknown. Be *sure* to disable the air bag(s) before fiddling under the dash.