air sound when often (not always) releasing brake?

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 05 Nov 2010, 16:04

Driving wives car today to troubleshoot some items. I never heard this sound with any car I've owned. Often (not always) when letting off the brake from a dead stop there is a sound from the floor like a vacuum release. It can run on for 20-30 sec after driving away but seems most pressurized from the initial release.

What is unique to this setup, or what is should I be concerned about?

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 05 Nov 2010, 18:19

you have a vacuum leak at the brake booster.

You'll need to replace the brake booster to fix it, another common failure in '01-'02's. Do it sooner than later or one day, when you really need it, you'll end up with no power break assist.

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 05 Nov 2010, 19:25

Thanks. Will research it now. I'm actually amazed at how good the brakes are on this car, but I've never done a power booster in all my hears. Is it easy to get to on this car? I'm amazed at how much I hear the noise in the foot area rather then on the outside firewall.

EDIT: HOLY S$%^%T...$500 for one with DSTC! Not good...

How can it be common to all models if some have DSTC other have STC and some (Base?) have none? Shouldn't these boosters be different designs if they are different model numbers and not interchangeable?

What is serviceable in them? I know some simply have check valves go bad.

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 06 Nov 2010, 11:07

You're in luck, the '01 does not have DSTC but plain STC, the booster is much cheaper.

A new ATE (OEM) booster at FCP groton with the 10% off coupon comes to about $200. When you are ready to change it, post back and I'll give you a few tips. I did mine a couple of months ago.

gchardy · Post by **gchardy** » 18 Nov 2010, 02:23

Can this brake booster be replaced with the engine and transmission in place?
Graham.

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 18 Nov 2010, 06:28

My research says it can be done just fine in place, just a bit tedious from what I can see. We checked the boot on the inside of the drivers compartment, placed it back over the seal and the sound has gone away, found a post on this topic but don't have it handy right now. So I am still monitoring this to determine if there is really the concern.

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 18 Nov 2010, 08:21

gchardy,

this is a DIY job, that can be done on a Sat morning. The worst part is removing the 4 nuts that hold the booster under the dash board. You need to lay on your back to get to them.

-you do not need to disconnect the ABS hydraulic lines,
-do remove the hard plastic intake tube to the turbo

Post a new thread when you are ready to tackle this job, and I'll give you a few more tips.