Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Vacuum Brake Booster: Service and Repair

Brake Booster

REMOVAL
1) Remove or disconnect the following parts in the engine compartment.
1) Disconnect the connector of brake fluid level gauge.
2) Remove the brake pipe from the master cylinder.
3) Remove the master cylinder installation nut.
4) Disconnect the vacuum hose from brake booster.
2) Remove the following parts from the pedal bracket.
1) Snap pin and clevis pin
2) Four brake booster installation nuts





3) Remove the brake booster while avoiding the brake pipe.

NOTE:
^ Make sure that the booster shell and vacuum pipe are not subject to strong impacts.
^ Be careful not to drop the brake booster. If the booster is dropped, replace it.
^ Use special care when handling the operating rod. If excessive force is applied to the operating rod, the angle may change by ±30, and it may result in damage to power piston cylinder.
^ Be careful when placing the brake booster on floor.
^ Do not change the push rod length.

CAUTION:
^ Do not disassemble the brake booster.
^ If external force is applied from above when brake booster is placed in this position, the resin portion as indicated by "P" may become damaged.






INSTALLATION
1) Check and adjust the operating rod of the brake booster.
Specification L: 136.5 mm (5.38 in)
If it is out of specification, adjust it with the brake booster operating rod.





2) Mount the brake booster in position.
3) Connect the operating rod to brake pedal with clevis pin and snap pin.





NOTE: Apply a thin coat of SUNLIGHT 2 (Part No. 003602010) to the clevis pin.

4) Connect the vacuum hose to the brake booster.
5) After replacing the O-ring, install the master cylinder to brake booster.





6) Connect the brake pipes to the master cylinder.
7) Connect the connector of the brake fluid level gauge.
8) Measure the clearance between the threaded end of the stop light switch and the stopper. If it is not within the specification, adjust it by adjusting the position of the stop light switch.

CAUTION: Be careful not to rotate the stop light switch.

Stop light switch clearance A: 0.3 mm (0.012 in)





9) Apply grease to the operating rod connecting pin to prevent it from wear.
10) Bleed air from brake system.
Tightening torque (air bleeder screw): 8 N-m (0.8 kgf-m, 5.8 ft-lb)
11) Perform a road test to make sure the brakes do not drag.

INSPECTION

OPERATION CHECK (WITHOUT GAUGES)

CAUTION: When checking operation, be sure to apply the parking brake securely.

^ Check without gauges
This method can not determine exactly what part is defective. But it is possible to identify the outline of the defect by performing the check according to the following procedures.

^ Air tightness check
Start the engine, and idle it for 1 to 2 minutes, then turn it OFF. Depress the brake pedal several times applying the normal pedal force. The pedal stroke should be the longest at the 1st depression, and it should become shorter at each successive depression. If no change occurs in the pedal height when pressed, the brake booster is faulty.





NOTE:
^ In case of defective operation, inspect the condition of the check valve and vacuum hose as well.
^ Replace them if faulty, and perform the test again.
^ If no improvement is observed, check precisely with gauges.

^ Operation check
1) While the engine is OFF, depress the brake pedal several times applying the same pedal force, to check for a change in pedal height.





2) With the brake pedal depressed, start the engine.
3) As the engine starts, the brake pedal should move slowly toward the floor. If the pedal height does not change, the brake booster is faulty.

NOTE: If faulty, check precisely with gauges.

^ Loaded air tightness check
Depress the brake pedal while the engine is running, and turn the engine to OFF while the pedal is depressed. Keep the pedal depressed for 30 seconds. If the pedal height does not change, the function of brake booster is normal. If the pedal height increases, it is faulty.

NOTE: If faulty, check precisely with gauges.

OPERATION CHECK (WITH GAUGES)

CAUTION: When checking operation, be sure to apply the parking brake securely.

^ Check with gauges
Connect the gauge as shown in the figure. After bleeding air from the pressure gauge, perform the checks.





^ Airtightness check
1) Start the engine and keep it running until vacuum pressure indicates point A of the vacuum gauge = 66.7 kPa (500 mmHg, 19.69 inHg). Do not depress the brake pedal at this time.





2) Stop the engine and check the gauge. If the vacuum pressure drop within 15 seconds after stopping the engine is 3.3 kPa (25 mmHg, 0.98 inHg) or less, the function of brake booster is normal. If faulty, the cause may be one of the following.
^ Check valve malfunction
^ Leak from vacuum hose
^ Leak from shell joint section or stud bolt welded section Damaged diaphragm Leak from valve body seal and bearing section Leak from plate and seal assembly section Leak from poppet valve assembly section

^ Loaded air tightness check
1) Start the engine and depress the brake pedal with a pedal force of 196 N (20 kgf, 44 lb). Keep the engine running and keep the pedal pressed until a vacuum of point B = 66.7 kPa (500 mmHg, 19.69 inHg) is indicated on the vacuum gauge.





2) Stop the engine and check the vacuum gauge.
If the vacuum pressure drop within 15 seconds after stopping the engine is 3.3 kPa (25 mmHg, 0.98 inHg) or less, the function of brake booster is normal.
If defective, refer to "AIR TIGHTNESS CHECK".
3) If the brake booster is faulty, replace it with a new part.

^ Lack of boost action check
Turn the engine OFF, and set the value of the vacuum gauge to "0". Then, check the fluid pressure when the brake pedal is depressed. The pressure must be greater than the specification listed.





^ Boosting action check
Set the vacuum gauge reading to 66.7 kPa (500 mmHg, 19.69 inHg) with the engine running. Then, check the fluid pressure when the brake pedal is depressed. The pressure must be greater than the specification listed.