Jump to content

how can you tell if the power booster


brianstarr58

Recommended Posts

for the brakes is bad? had the brakes replaced but it feels like the old manual brakes

 

Sure the brake flex hose didnt get twisted when the brakes were done?? That would kink it and it would feel like old manual brakes..

 

Ive seen it happen soo many times..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm pretty sure it's not the flex hose because the pedal got hard before the brakes were done. Actually that's why I wanted new pads because I thought they were getting low.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With the car off, pump the brake pedal for like a minute.

 

Then start the car with you foot on the brake pedal just slightly.

 

When you start the car, you should feel the brake pedal drop about 1/4.

 

If it drops, the booster is fine.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

With the car off, pump the brake pedal for like a minute.

 

Then start the car with you foot on the brake pedal just slightly.

 

When you start the car, you should feel the brake pedal drop about 1/4.

 

If it drops, the booster is fine.

 

NO. I found by experience (both my Luminas) that the booster can fail and still "test" OK. The power assist goes away, yet it can still hold vacuum; and it will still drop the pedal when tested as above.

 

 

The brake booster can take like an hour to do in the driveway.

You're an animal. Took me WAY, WAY longer than that. I put boosters on both my Luminas; on one of them, I spent more than an hour just getting the brake light switch adjusted. Part of the time was spent playing with the intake manifold and the infamous distributor-plug oil leak.

 

I detailed the procedure with text and photos, and described the results here: (warning: Long and involved!)

http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php?topic=63764.0

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^^^^very good information in that post^^^^

 

I read that back a year or so ago now and took it to heart when I was rebuilding my z34, I spent the money for a new brake booster. I can't say how much it helped all and all, as when I installed it I also installed SS brake hoses, and the "big" brake swap on all 4 corners. But what I do know is that this car stops very well for a first gen w-body, going and driving my girlfriends 92' euro which still has all original stuff is 100% different. the pedal feels very good now, and the brakes are responsive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...