I have having problems with my brakes in that they are almost going to the floor. I have bled them a few times. I think it could be the booster or the vacuum is not good enough. Before buying the expensive brake booster I was wondering if there was other things I can do to be for sure.

Thank you guys in advance and for the past help.

 

Did it happen all at once..or did the brakes start getting crappy and just keep getting worse? When you bled the brakes was there strong preasure comming from the calipers and rear? Are you loosing fluid at all durring normal driving? Vaccum wise the first and easiest would be the line to the intake, that could get clogged by carbon build up.

 

Don't even think of replacing a brake booster without doing the brake booster test first.

With engine running and in Park, press and release the brake so you get a feel of it as far as pressure you press down versus it's resistance.

Let engine run a moment with your foot OFF the brake. Shut off engine. Press down on brake pedal, should feel light resistance as when the engine was running. Let off the pedal, back on the pedal again, off the pedal, back on again. After about 2 1/2 presses of the pedal, it should get harder to press the pedal down beyond the free-play area. If it was easier at first, then went hard, that shows that there was power boost, and that vacuum was stored in the booster for about 2 1/2 stops (for safety if engine quits while driving).

With booster vacuum depleted, press down some on the pedal to go beyond the free-play zone. While holding foot just like that, start the engine. After the engine starts, the pedal should rise some, you'll feel it underfoot. That shows power boost is working.

And other than hearing a constant hiss from the booster from a bad input seal on the shaft into the booster under the dash with your foot OFF the brake, then if it passes all of this, the booster is good.

If there is little to no boost, make sure that the vac hose from intake manifold to the booster is good, and that the check valve where the vac line attaches to the booster isn't broken or the grommet obviously ripped.

Boosters rarely go bad. Can't say never, just rarely. Usually the problem is worn seals in the Master Cylinder unit causing hydraulic bypass in the master cylinder's bore. Or an external leak that has not been found (yet), or a ballooning brake hose. Don't forget that there are THREE brake hoses, not two.