2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Hydrabooster???

[RHillman]

I noticed my truck was low on power steering fluid but could not find and leeks, so I brought it to my local mechanic. He told me the hydrabooster for the brakes was leaking, and not being a diesel mechanic he priced me a new one at around $650 & $200 or so to install. I am new to this whole cummins arena does this sound right. Just wondering if anyone knows if this is an easy fix I am willing to try it myself if it is not to entailed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am not sure if it is related but I have also noticed not always but when I brake to a full stop it feels like the brakes are holding on for a second when I accelerate, it feels like the truck is bogged down momentarily then picks up quickly. Thanks

 

[EBottema]

Being a diesel has nothing to do with hydroboost braking. Hydroboost braking is the same as having power brakes. Normal cars use a vacuum power booster behind the master cylinder, well hydroboost uses hydraulic (power steering) to get power brakes. That sounds right, check hydroboost.com I think the unit can be rebuilt...

 

[ewcmr2]

Normal cars use a vacuum power booster behind the master cylinder

Pre '97 Cummins Rams used a vacuum booster too.

 

[EBottema]

Yup, i got the vacuum boost on my rig.

 

[DCTECH]

Call Paul Clark @ Hydratech Braking Systems at (586)531-2115 or at www.hydraboost.com or email -- email address removed --. They can rebuild them.

 

[smitty3500]

Paul Clark is a great person and knows his Hydra-Boost. He cannotsource mounting brackets and a few other parts to make the booster complete. You will have to send him your unit so that he can use a few things from it.



I had a very small leak with mine and had to replace due to inspection reasons. I just tried a NAPA unit and it was faulty. They replaced it with no questions and supplied me with another and I have had no problems with the unit in the rig now. The Napa unit is less then 300 dollars also.

 

[DCMille290]

www.hydroboost.com is the correct hyperlink.



DC Miller

 

[Extreme1]

e-bay, I bought one for $25.

 

[Dave M]

I replaced mine last year with the hydroboost unit from Paul Clark at www.hydroboost.com. It is difficult to find the OEM replacement on their site, so email or call. Paul was great to work with and he answered all my dumb questions about how to bleed the power steering etc.



The brake master cylinder is bolted to the hydroboost (thru about a 1 inch cast spacer)and the hydroboost is bolted to the firewall. There is a shaft that moves to transfer brake pedal movement (thru the hydroboost unit) into the master cylinder. You will see the rod coming out of the hydrboost unit when you get it apart.



Mine was leaking at the the junction of the master cylinder and hydroboost. I was not sure if it was p. s or brake fliud so I added dye to the p. s. fluid.



You can put ultraviloet transmission dye into the power steering fluid to determine for sure where its leaking by hitting it with an ultra-violet light. The fluid will take on a greenish color so you can tell without a light that its p. s. fluid leaking.



The unit they sell is new (not rebuilt). You may have trouble if you go rebuilt. It may take a few to get a good one. With the new "Hydratech Braking" unit I had to ship mine to them (they are in Michigan I think) so they could remove the firewall bracket, output shaft that goes thru firewall to the brake pedal. Otherwise it was brand new.



I did not follow the service manual but just unbolted the brake master cylinder from the hydroboost and left it hanging there and left all the brake lines connected. I also left the combo brake valve (under the master cylinder) alone. Then I did not have to bleed the brakes, just the power steering. Now is a good time to replace the power steering fluid with synthetic (I used NAPA Redline).



All in all it was not hard and I'm a novice at this stuff too! I had pics but my PC crashed. I did not drain all the power steering fluid but just kept refilling with Redline and (with tires off ground) kept turning the wheels lock to lock about 10 times with engine on and then I'd remove the P. S return line and pump the fluid into a can. Then I'd keep repeating unit a lot of the old fluid was removed.



Paul turned around the unit in a day but it still took 2 weeks (I live in California) from the time I shipped mine until I got the new one back... . the only drawback with sending it in. You cannot remove the parts they need (I asked), they must do it. But I got a NEW not REBUILT unit. It was worth it to me.



If I can offer help let me know. YOU can do it.



Dave