What are the symptoms of a faulty brake booster pump?
2 Answers
When the brake booster pump fails, the following symptoms may occur: 1. Poor braking performance or no braking effect; 2. Visible oil leakage at the external connections of the vacuum pump; 3. Slow or non-returning brake pedal; 4. Obvious abnormal noises when pressing the brake pedal; 5. Steering deviation or vibration during braking; 6. The brake pedal feels soft when pressed. Below is an introduction to the brake booster pump: The brake booster pump, also known as the brake assist pump, controls the vacuum entering the booster pump during braking, causing the diaphragm to move. Through a linkage device, the pushrod on the diaphragm assists the driver in pressing and pushing the brake pedal, thereby amplifying the force applied by the driver.
As a seasoned driver who frequently hits the road, I've experienced a situation where the brake booster pump failed. The most obvious symptom was that the brake pedal felt extremely stiff, requiring almost full body strength to bring the car to a stop. Normally, a light tap would suffice, but when it failed, it felt like pushing against a wall. Especially in traffic jams, continuous braking would make my feet extremely tired, with my calves aching. Additionally, after starting the car, it should have been effortless, but with the booster failing, the braking distance noticeably increased. Once, on a high-speed downhill, I almost rear-ended another car. There was also a noise issue—when the engine ran, a hissing sound could be heard, which was a sign of vacuum leakage. The mechanic said ignoring it could overload the braking system, so it's best to stop and check immediately or call for a tow truck. Safety comes first; don't delay handling such a malfunction. Replacing it early can save both peace of mind and money. After decades of driving, I always check the vacuum hoses for cracks or aging during every maintenance session. Prevention is wiser than emergency fixes.