Brake Booster?

M

MtnLlama

New member
Hi guys. So i've been having issues with the brakes on my 99 limited 4runner and I think I have determined that the brake booster is bad, however i'm not fully convinced yet. I have the rock hard pedal issue, which I though was related to the cold weather up here in Duluth, however after i replaced the check valve/grommet I'm still getting the same issue. It isn't as prevalent when braking on flat ground, however as I'm braking down some of the steep hills around the city the pedal will progressively get harder to the point where it's rock solid and the brakes are not fully functioning.

Also, i can slightly hear air escaping right when I start it and depress the brake pedal. This seems to go away as it warms up, however. The strange thing is that when i pump the brake pedal with the key off it builds pressure and gets hard and then when i start it it slightly depresses...isn't this a sign of a properly working booster? I'm just trying to do some research before I throw money at it. Also, is the 99 booster and different from previous years? The local salvage yard has a few older booster in stock.

Thanks for the input.
 
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Mine went bad and sounds very similar. It would even work intermittently until it was all gone. It is a very simple procedure, however please buy OME or you will need to replace it again in a couple years, which I had to do. I also, have a 99 and changed it in the parking lot of an ACE hardware 200 miles from a actual town. (Hence having to buy a Napa type knock off)
 
Oh man Duluth... I actually got trapped there for 2 months once, hate that place, even with most of my family still living there. But if you can make a living and don't mind the temps, power to you!
 
thor999 said:
Oh man Duluth... I actually got trapped there for 2 months once, hate that place, even with most of my family still living there. But if you can make a living and don't mind the temps, power to you!
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Ha! You must have been trapped in the winter. The summers are gorgeous and as long as you live an active lifestyle it's not all that bad! I'd much rather be in CO though....

ajonesnv said:
Mine went bad and sounds very similar. It would even work intermittently until it was all gone. It is a very simple procedure, however please buy OME or you will need to replace it again in a couple years, which I had to do. I also, have a 99 and changed it in the parking lot of an ACE hardware 200 miles from a actual town. (Hence having to buy a Napa type knock off)
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Good to know it's an easy procedure. Do you know if any 3rd gen booster is compatible with a 99? I'll probably go the salvage yard route due to the price of a new OEM one
 
I have a 1999 with 231,000 and I have the same problem. I took it to the dealership and they confirmed it. In the past I have had a 1997 and a 1998 4Runner and the brake boosters all appear to be the same, if that helps.
 
SgtAbn said:
I have a 1999 with 231,000 and I have the same problem. I took it to the dealership and they confirmed it. In the past I have had a 1997 and a 1998 4Runner and the brake boosters all appear to be the same, if that helps.
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Good to know. I just picked one up from the junkyard today, so hopefully it'll solve the issue!
 
Yep bad booster. Pretty common issue. I just fixed it on my runner. Brakes got rock hard the more you pressured on them and would not stop the truck very well. Dead give away is hold the brakes down and turn off the truck the pedal will go up some.
 
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