Brake booster

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jlzhang - 15 Jul 2006 00:33 GMT

My car is Chevy Metro 1998 with 3 cylinders. Recently I had to step
down harder on the brake to slow down or stop. Today I brought it to a
shop. After checking they said the brake booster had to be replaced,
or it would be very dangerous. The total price for the replacement is
about five hundred bucks, including both parts and labor. Other parts
of the brake are OK.

I would like to know if I continue to drive without replacement of the
brake booster, what would happen? Is it really dangerous?

Thanks.

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cselby@mts.net - 15 Jul 2006 20:49 GMT

>I would like to know if I continue to drive without replacement of the
>brake booster, what would happen? Is it really dangerous?
>
>Thanks.

You will have no brake boost. You will have to use greater pedal
pressue to stop the car. In a panic situation, you will have brake
delay as the booster is manually (your foot) evacuated. This the
dangerous part.

Find another shop and get a second opinion. Brake boosters do fail
but I have found this to be a rarity. It is more likely the vacuum
line to the booster is collapsing or kinking, or the check valve is at
fault. A dealer shop (shudder to recommend) may have more clues on
this issue.

Pete

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jlzhang - 16 Jul 2006 00:39 GMT

> >I would like to know if I continue to drive without replacement of the
> >brake booster, what would happen? Is it really dangerous?
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Pete

Pete,

Thanks for your expertise.

jlzhang

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