4 Symptoms of a Bad Brake Booster
Unless you’re a mechanic, you may not have heard of a brake booster. But the fact is, your car probably has one, and you’ll notice it when it stops working. Learn the most common symptoms of a bad brake booster, how much it costs to replace, and how to properly inspect this vital component.
What is a Brake Booster?
Just as power steering makes it easier to turn the steering wheel, a brake booster makes it easier to brake. Brake boosters increase the force you apply from the pedal to the brake calipers or drums, making it easier to stop in place. There are many different types of brake boosters, but they all serve the same purpose.
Symptoms of a Failed Brake Booster
There are some obvious signs of a bad brake booster, and they are very easy to diagnose. Even if you don’t know the difference between a lug nut and a spark plug, you should be able to tell by reading the symptoms below.
1) Hard Brake Pedal
If your brake booster has failed, the first thing you’ll probably notice is that your brake pedal feels hard to press or spongy. That makes sense. The purpose of a brake booster is to make it easier to brake. If it fails, you need to apply more force.
2) Increased Braking Distances and Leaking Brake Fluid
Longer stopping distances aren’t a direct sign of a failed brake booster, but it is a sign that you need to dig a little deeper. A leaking brake booster will prevent your brakes from working as efficiently. If you notice an increase in your car’s stopping distances, your best bet is to check your brake booster for leaks.
If you notice a leak between the brake booster and the master cylinder, you will need to identify which part is leaking. This is nearly impossible, so many mechanics choose to replace both parts at the same time.
3) Hissing Noise
If your brake booster is vacuum-type, you may hear a hissing noise when you apply the brakes. This indicates that the brake booster has a vacuum leak that is preventing it from functioning effectively.
4) Illuminated Warning Lights
Depending on the type of vehicle and the safety features installed, various lights may illuminate on your dashboard if your brake booster is defective. The most common light is the ABS light, but the traction control light, check engine light, and stability control light may also come on.
Can you drive with a defective brake booster?The short answer is yes. The complete answer is a little more complicated.
Many cars don’t have brake boosters, so you can drive without any major issues even if your brake booster isn’t working properly. When you want to stop, you just press harder on the brakes.
However, it depends on what’s wrong with your brake booster. If your brake fluid is leaking, you should not drive your car with leaking brake fluid. Leaking brake fluid leads to poor braking performance, which is a serious problem.
Plus, at any time the leak can go from a trickle to a waterfall, preventing you from stopping completely. And if you need to stop suddenly, you won’t have to worry about whether you can brake hard enough. So, although you can still drive with a faulty brake booster, it’s not recommended.
