A brake booster is one of the most important parts of your car’s braking system, and a bad brake booster can lead to brake failure, dangerous accidents, and unsafe driving conditions. That’s why it’s necessary for any car owner to understand what a brake booster is, what bad brake booster symptoms are, and how to find the best brake shop for your problems. Read on for Brakes 4 Less’ easy-to-understand guide to learn about your car’s brake boosters and what warning signs to look out for in order to keep your vehicle functioning at its best.
What is a brake booster?
A brake booster is an essential part of your vehicle’s braking system. It works by creating additional hydraulic pressure when the driver of the car pushes down on the brake pedal. This additional pressure helps to increase the braking power of a vehicle. While its location can vary depending on a car’s make and model, most brake boosters can be found between the master cylinder and the pedal.
What happens when a brake booster fails?
When your car’s brake boosters fail, a number of problems with the entire brake system can occur. The most common problem is that you will experience a decrease in braking power since there will be less hydraulic pressure on the brakes themselves. This increases stopping distance, making it difficult for drivers to stop quickly and effectively. Another problem that occurs when boosters fail is that the car can begin to shudder when braking as a result of the brakes becoming difficult to press or even unresponsive.
A bad brake booster can lead to difficult driving at best and dangerous accidents at worst. That’s why it’s so important to know what some bad brake booster symptoms are and what to do when you notice them.
What are some bad brake booster symptoms?
The good news for any car owner worried about their brake booster is that there are some easy-to-notice signs that your brake boosters need to be examined or replaced. It’s crucial for car owners to take their vehicles to a reliable brake shop as soon as they notice any of these symptoms. Otherwise, their car may become unsafe to drive, and more costly repairs may be needed down the line.
Hard To Push
One of the most noticeable signs of a bad brake booster is that your brake pedal becomes hard to push, making your car difficult to stop. This is because brake boosters create hydraulic pressure that helps your car stop quickly and easily. If that hydraulic pressure is no longer there, it’s up to you as the driver to create the force needed to fully stop the car.
Long Stopping Distances
In the same way that bad brake boosters can make your brake pedal difficult to push, a bad or damaged booster can drastically increase your car’s stopping distances. This can lead to accidents such as rear-ending the driver in front of you or running into a car that pulls out suddenly. Be sure to pay close attention to your car’s stopping distance, and be aware of any changes that occur.
Hissing Noises
A more subtle one of the bad brake booster symptoms is if your car is letting out a hissing noise when you press on the brake. This noise will typically come from under the dashboard and is the result of air leaking from your brake booster, which can mean that it has a crack, leak, or damage of some kind.
Engine Stalling
Something you may not expect to be a sign of bad brake boosters is your engine stalling when you apply the brakes. This stalling is caused by the bad brake boosters creating a vacuum leak in the engine. If your engine has stalled when you’ve applied the brakes recently, it would be a good idea to take it to a reliable brake shop to be looked at by experts who can help you determine if your brake boosters are the problem.
How To Find the Best Brake Shop for Brake Booster Problems
If your car has any of the bad brake booster symptoms like the brake being hard to push or a hissing noise coming from the dashboard, it’s time to take it to a brake repair shop to be looked at by professionals who can help you determine if the cause of the problem is your brake boosters.
If you’re looking for a brake shop you can trust to help you with your brake booster, you should find a company that is experienced and knowledgeable in brakes and brake repairs. Everyone who works with cars knows that they are complicated machines, and it takes an expert to properly diagnose and fix problems that are as important as brake boosters.
Customers should also look for a brake repair company that is trustworthy, puts their customers first, and has fair pricing. After all, the world of car repairs is known for businesses that would rather make more money than treat their customers fairly.
At Brakes 4 Less, our customers are always our first priority. We have over 25 years of experience and a team of experts whose passion is helping our customers. If you’re looking for help with your brake booster after noticing some bad brake booster symptoms in your car, look no further than Brakes 4 Less. Schedule an appointment or get in by 4, and we’ll have you done the same day.
