View Full Version : Baffled - Brake Booster issue?
woodkd
10-16-2011, 09:01 AM
I recently had my 69 camaro out for an evening cruise and while driving noticed the pedal travel was becoming increasingly spongy. Figured I might have a caliper or cylinder leak but after pulling the wheels (disc/drum) there are no leaks. The car does brake but braking is poor and the pedal travel is to the floor. The car has all new OEM brake calipers, wheel cylinders, lines and has been functioning properly for a year. Brake fluid in the master cylinder is fine as well. I jacked the wheels off the ground (back and front) and a buddy of mine spun the wheels while the car was running and applied the brakes and the wheels stop immediately. With no leaks and the brakes applying to all four wheels I am thinking this is a brake booster issue? How can I confirm this is the case? Could I have a master cylinder issue?
Thank you,
Ken
ChevelleNV
10-16-2011, 09:22 AM
Sounds like the booster to me, you might want to test it. Do a google search for "test brake booster" and you'd should be able to find a guide on how to test if it's bad. Been a long time since I've tested one but I know it's a fairley easy to test one.
woodkd
10-16-2011, 09:28 AM
I will give this a try! Thanks!
woodkd
10-16-2011, 11:16 AM
I have completed the booster test and based on two different tests the booster is functioning properly. it appears to be the master cylinder. Still a little baffled how it can be the master cylinder without any leaks.
JD'sTT55
10-16-2011, 11:37 AM
A master cylinder can leak internally by allowing the fluid past the piston seal back into the reservoir instead of forcing it towards the wheels. A booster failure usually shows up as a hard high pedal that requires a lot of pedal pressure to stop. Just to be sure if it were mine I would try bleeding the brake system to make sure that no air had entered the system before replacing the master cylinder. Just my 2 cents worth.
woodkd
10-16-2011, 12:53 PM
Thank you for the advice. I will give this a try beforehand. Of course, this begs the question how did I get air into the system in the first place? A multitude of issues come to mind here.
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