4 Symptoms of a Bad Brake Booster
When you press the brake pedal, you usually don’t have to apply as much force to slow your vehicle down. The reason for this could be a component of your braking system called the brake booster.
The function of a brake booster is to increase pressure when you press the brake pedal. This means you don’t have to press the brake pedal as hard to slow your vehicle down. This results in a safer driving experience. Brake Booster vs. Brake Master Cylinder
In theory, a “brake booster” and a “master cylinder” may sound similar. They are even located close to each other in the engine bay. However, they serve very different purposes in the braking system.
A brake booster is similar to a power steering pump in the sense that it provides assistance to the driver. This assistance makes it easier to steer the vehicle. The brake booster looks like a large round drum in the engine compartment. It’s often located next to the firewall on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The master cylinder is part of the hydraulic system that transfers power from the brake pedal to each of the pistons in the four brake calipers. This power is transferred through hydraulic fluid (also known as brake fluid).
The master cylinder contains a small container of brake fluid called a reservoir. A defective master cylinder can cause your brakes to not work at all.
Common symptoms of a faulty brake booster
Of course, there could also be a situation where your brake booster is defective. The symptoms may not seem particularly serious at first, but you still shouldn’t drive your car.
Take your car to your local auto repair shop. If you don’t, you could soon find yourself with no brakes at all. That would really put you in trouble.
1) Stiff brake pedal
A good brake booster makes it easier to press the brake pedal, while a bad brake booster does the opposite. When you press the brake pedal, you will notice that the brake pedal feels very stiff.
This is the most obvious symptom of a bad brake booster, so you should replace it immediately.
2) High brake pedal
In addition to having a stiff brake pedal, you will notice that the pedal is higher than it needs to be. So you have to lift your foot higher to reach the brake pedal, which creates a dangerous situation while driving. If you forget this and brake suddenly, you may run into problems. So, if you notice that your brake pedal is high, take your car to a repair shop.
3) Your car takes longer to stop
Even if you press the brake pedal firmly, it may take longer than usual to stop. If the brake booster is defective, the pedal will not receive the force required for sudden braking.
This can significantly increase your stopping distance. Of course, it is very dangerous while driving as you may need to brake suddenly to prevent an accident or save your life.
It can be even more dangerous in severe weather conditions. So, replace your brake booster immediately before it’s too late.
4) Engine stall
Brake boosters have a diaphragm that prevents air from passing through the seal. If the diaphragm breaks and air leaks through the seal, it will appear as if the engine stalls every time you press the brake pedal. This can cause much more serious problems than just bad brakes.
You could even get engine trouble, which will create all sorts of new problems that you don’t want to have.