Hi,
I need to replace my brake booster on my 89 F-150 and was wondering if one from Autozone was OK? I have a NAPA store also but a little harder to get to. Does it matter??? Thanks!

 

i would go to napa.

 

NAPA or any wholesale parts store would be a good choice. A1 Cardone part number 54-74210 is a remanufactured booster by itself, and A1 part number 50-4210 is the booster with master cylinder attached. Most wholesale stores offer A1 Cardone brands, and they are very good quality at a reasonable price.... I personally dislike Autozone. TomD

 

Alot of people dislike Autozone, They offer the same basic parts. They have a great rewards program for frequent customers. They do offer alot of Motorcraft parts.

 

Hi,
Well... It looks like Autozone dosen't have a very loyal following here! However they do carry the A1 Cardone brake booster for a good price and it seems like a good unit from what I've read.

I have never mail ordered truck parts unless it is something I can't get local. Perhaps I should look into that more. If any of you use a certain mail order parts house,with good service I'd be happy to hear it. Thanks for the help!

 

Hi UTfball68,
Thanks for the education. That booster is $120. Now how do you deal with the core charge? Do you have to send them the core and then they send you back $30? Seems like almost double the price of the A1 Cardon and the hassle of shipping??? Just curious as to why this is a better approach? Thanks again!

 

Hi UT,
Thanks, that makes sense if you want to keep you're truck all FORD! I just put in an after-market cruise control on my truck,not really wanting to,but after spending $150 at the dealership to find out my FORD cruise was totally crapped out and would be over $800 to fix and keep all FORD! I went with the best rated after-market and that was only $340 installed and out the door!

To be honest I will probably go with the Cardone and put it in myself and hope it holds up ok! Thanks!

 

If it helps, I bought 5 brake boosters from Autozone about a year ago before I got one that didn't have crushed threads...talk about frustrating. Now granted, in the end they made it right and the booster we ended up with works like a picture.
Personally, I'm for going dealer or Napa on anything I get now. The extra price is well worth it for the lack of hassle and quality of parts.
Good Luck!

 

Hi Ram,
WOW!.. I guess I'm just lucky, I've gotten quite a few things from Autozone but never had problems like that. I went there today and picked up a clutch pedal safety switch and the A1 Cardan brake booster and spent the afternoon under my dash. Everything went well,a little aggravating because of the positioning and tight spaces but no trouble to speak of. I was handed the wrong size brake caliper one time but thats been about it. Thanks!

 

Ya'll have some bad luck at Autozone. O'reilly's here is like that. I went thru 3 alternators b4 I finally got a good one. Autozone is very helpful and there staff is somewhat knowledgable

 

i use autozone if i need routine stuff like oil, plugs, bulbs, ect.. just because they have that rewards thing. otherwise i get my parts from NAPA.

 

I have always used Napa Because I have a commercial account with them,I bought there best booster with the master cyilinder and life time warranty and I have had to change out the whole thing out 4 times in ten years because of failure and it gets to be a pain, for once I would like to get one that lasts as long as a factory part is there anyone that make new and not remans. The only complaint I have with all the ford trucks I have owned past and present is keeping the brakes working properly.

 

Hi Glen,
You seem to have experience with these boosters! I'd like to ask a question. When I put in my new A1 Cardone ford rebuild,I still get a little hiss from the new booster! Not much but still it's there. Is this normal? I have done the basic tests and everything test "normal" and works good? I don't know? Any ideas,or have you had this happen too? Thanks!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by seagiant

Hi Glen,

Only when you first hit the pedal it will hiss but if you hold your foot on it it should stop if not it's bad,most of mine went bad from the master leaking from the rear into the booster.I have also had one that did not hiss but it felt like it had manual brakes and not power.

 

Hi Glen,
Thank you very much Sir,at last some real help on this! I could not figure the unit bad out of the box,althoug I'm sure it happens. The other thing is,I think my fluid got low and maybe the master cylinder sucked some air and the pedal travels more than it should? I know the booster only helps to push the pedal but maybe a shorter,ie correct, travel of the pedal will mean the booster rod dosen't have to travel as far and means less noise??? Thanks again!