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How difficult is it to change A Brake Power Booster?

Tiny
MMSHIELDS2006
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SATURN SL1
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 128,280 MILES
How difficult is it to change A Brake Power Booster? Also what tools are necessary to change a brake power booster? Is this a fairly easy job, or should I let a shop do the work? Have a friend that's not really mechanically inclined.

Thank you Margaret
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 5:38 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
You are scaring me already by saying you have a friend thats not mechanical incline to replace it lol. Its not hard to do I haven't replaced one on those cars in years they didnt go bad very often on those cars.I have 275,000 miles on my 1999 saturn with the original booster. Also have a 1995 saturn with about the same mileage with the original booster. There is two 15mm nuts holding the master cylinder on the booster you remove those. Then move the master cylinder aside be careful not to kink/damage the brake lines. Then inside under the dash you have to pull back the sound deadner. Thats already precut to move it and get to the four 15mm nuts holding on the booster. Before you take those off there is a rod from the booster to the brake pedal. There is a clip holding that on you use a flat blade screw driver to lightly bend the closed end of the clip away from the brake pedal then slide the clip off. Then remove the rod from the pedal. Also in the engine compartment remove the vacuum line from the brake booster.I always use like a 8 inch 3/8" drive extension with a ratchet and a 3/8" wobble adapter with a deep 15mm socket to remove the nuts. Why do you think the brake booster is bad?
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
MMSHIELDS2006
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Had my mechanic at a shop look at it yesterday and he claims my brake
booster is bad. He got in and pumped the brakes which have been acting funny for about 1 1/2 weeks and said that's whats wrong and that I was only using my rear brakes to stop. He's never done me wrong in the past, it's just all the money involved getting it fixed. But have another friend and thought maybe he could fix it, but maybe not.
Thank you
Glad you replied
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Is the brake pedal rock hard when you step on it with the car running?
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Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 12:33 PM
Tiny
MMSHIELDS2006
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No its not, sounds like air in the line, brake fluid is full, sounds spongy and not idling correctly.
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 5:10 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
If the pedal is really soft its not the brake booster do you have rear brake shoes in the back?If so the rear brake shoes could be out of adjustment causing a soft pedal.
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
MMSHIELDS2006
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  • 50 POSTS
Someone else mentioned that as well, will have to check this out, it may be monday before someone can look, thank you so much. Have a great day!

Margaret
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Your welcome those cars rear brake shoe adjustment can really effect pedal height.
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
MMSHIELDS2006
  • MEMBER
  • 50 POSTS
Could this also be the plastic check Valve on the side of the break booster
needs to be replaced? Was told it's $5.99 to replace it, wondering what you think about this?

Is there a simple way to adjust the Rear Brake shoes?

Thank you again

Margaret
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Wednesday, May 13th, 2015 AT 6:35 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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The early saturns with the larger check valves had issues with them causing a low brake pedal but the smaller ones that came on the later ones didnt have that issue. You can try it if you want but most likely it wont fix it. Aside from taking rear drums off and adjusting them.
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Wednesday, May 13th, 2015 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
MMSHIELDS2006
  • MEMBER
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Thank you again, had someone adjust the rear brake shoes yesterday and it has made all the difference in the world. The pedal has lifted up and also the emergency brake is now 1 click and tight, so guess am good to go for a while I hope.

Thank you again,

Margaret
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Thursday, May 14th, 2015 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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I have seen those cars get towed in for the brakes being out of adjustment and not stopping very well.I just had one and it all started when someone replaced the rear brake shoes with some cheap shoes that wear very quickly. They get out of adjustment quickly causing a low pedal. Glad I could help.
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Thursday, May 14th, 2015 AT 9:14 PM

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