Brake boosters deal with high amounts of pressure and vacuum to operate and because of this you need a durable Brake Booster Vacuum Hose to keep up with the great amount of stress it could get subjected to. This hose take care of the vacuum that the engine produces so that the booster can assist the pedal input of the driver. The vacuum “softens” the brake pedal so that the driver doesn’t need much effort use the brake. A leaking or broken Brake Booster Vacuum Hose won’t get the vacuum flowing across the engine to the booster and might result in reduced amount of assist or total failure of the braking system. A good and working braking system is even more important than an engine that is performing well. So ensure that the Brake Booster Vacuum Hose is always at its top condition.
How to Repair a Leaking Brake Booster Vacuum Hose
If you think that your brakes don’t have sufficient stopping power, there could be a problem in your brake booster vacuum hose. This hose is instrumental in making the connection between the master cylinder and the brakes themselves, and whenever there is a leak, your brake pedal will still feel firm, but the brakes will be lacking power behind them. Repairing a brake booster leak is a matter of replacing the hose.
Step 1 – Jack Up the Vehicle
Drive your vehicle to a flat surface for using a good floor jack to lift the car. Place the tool under the frame and start jacking up the vehicle. Set jack stands somewhere nearby so they can take the weight of the vehicle in case the jack slips by accident.
Step 2 – Take off the Tires and Brake Cover
Use an impact gun or a lug nut wrench to loosen the lug nuts of your tires. Set the lug nuts aside together in a safe place and remove the tires in order to gain access to the brake housing.
On some models of vehicles, you’ll notice a metal cover over the brakes, too. Remove this by prying it off with the help of the flat side of the lug nut wrench.
Step 3 – Remove the Master Cylinder
You will notice the brake master cylinder located at the top of the brake assembly. It will be held in place with the help of two nuts on threaded posts. Remove these nuts with an adjustable or open-ended wrench, and after that, remove the cylinder. This will help you to get to the brake booster vacuum hose.
Ensure you have a safe place, such as a plastic bag or a bowl, to put all of the nuts removed in this process so you don’t lose them.
Step 4 – Remove the Vacuum Hose
The brake booster vacuum hose will be behind in the master cylinder, held in place with one nut. Remove this and slide the hose out of the rear of the brake housing. Disconnect it from the brake line, and take it to your local auto parts store to ensure that you buy a properly fitting replacement.
Step 5 – Install a New Vacuum Hose
Once you have the old vacuum hose off of the brake line and brake assembly, set the new one in its proper place and begin securing it. Reconnect the brake line and the assembly itself. After that, replace the nut for the brake booster vacuum hose.
Step 6 – Replace the Brake Cylinder
Now that the new vacuum hose is installed, you can slide the master cylinder back to the threaded post. Secure with the two nuts that you removed in the first place.
Step 7 – Bleed Brake Lines
Any time you work with the brake lines, you’ll have to bleed them afterward in order to release any air trapped inside. Open the bleeding nut on the back of the brake assembly and let the brake fluid flow till pure liquid comes out. Close the bleeding nut and add brake fluid to the reservoir for replacing any that was lost.
Step 8 – Replace Tires and Lower Car
Finally, replace the brake cover and tires. Tighten the lug nuts onto the wheel and lower the car back towards the ground.
