Vacuum Brake Booster: Testing and Inspection

Vacuum system, checking

Preparation

Disconnect the battery lead
See Battery, disconnecting Battery Disconnecting.

Check the vacuum hose





Check:
- the vacuum hose connections at the manifold and the check valve
- that the vacuum hose is not crimped or rubbing anywhere
- that the vacuum hose inner weave has not broken and blocked the through flow.
Disconnect the hose. Start the engine. Check the vacuum.

Preparations for checking the check valve




Remove the plastic cover over wiring, as illustrated.
Remove the positive cable nut.
Lift out the positive cable and fold to one side.
Remove and the cable holder nut.
Remove the holder.
Reinstall the positive cable so that the engine can be started.

Check the check valve




Check the function of the check valve.
Start the engine.
Remove the check valve from the power brake booster.
Check that there is a vacuum. Feel the check valve.
Reinstall the check valve.
Press the vacuum hose. Listen for a leak. Replace the rubber bushing if there is a leak.
Switch off the engine.

Note! Replace a defective check valve.

Check the function after replacing the check valve
Depress the brake pedal several times to so that it has no travel.
Hold the pedal down. Start the engine. The pedal should travel and feel softer.
Release the brake. switch off the engine. Wait 1 minute. Then depress the pedal. The pedal should still feel soft but should become stiffer when it is depressed several times.
Reinstall the positive cable holder. Tighten the nuts. Tighten to 10 Nm.
Reinstall the positive cables and nut. Tighten to 25 Nm.
Tighten the nuts

Replacing the vacuum hose

Remove the air cleaner (ACL) housing
See Brake pipe master cylinder / ABS unit, replacing, B5254T2 Brake Pipe Master Cylinder / ABS Unit, Replacing.

Remove the check valve from the power brake booster. Remove the vacuum hose




Pull out the check valve.
Remove the hose from the intake manifold.
Pull the hose forwards between the bracket for the ABS hydraulic modulator and the side member.
Replace the part of the hose which is damaged.
Transfer the check valve to the new hose section.

Install the vacuum hose





Install:
- the hose with the check valve behind the bracket for the ABS hydraulic modulator
- the check valve in the power brake booster
- the hose to the intake manifold.

Check the power brake booster




Check if there is a vacuum to the power brake booster. Do this by removing the hose from the check valve.
Depress the brake pedal several times to so that it has no travel.
Hold the pedal down. Start the engine. The pedal should travel and feel softer.
Release the brake. switch off the engine. Wait 1 minute. Then depress the pedal. The pedal should still feel soft but should become stiffer when it is depressed several times.
Replace the power brake booster if the pedal feels hard and unresponsive when the engine is idling.
To replace the power brake booster on a left-hand drive car, see Power brake booster, replacing, L.H.D Power Brake Booster, Replacing, L.H.D.
To replace it on a right-hand drive car, see Power brake booster, replacing, R.H.D Power Brake Booster, Replacing, R.H.D.