2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission HydroBoost question

[rchilders]

Anyone happen to know if 1997 and 2000 brake booster will interchange mine is leaking and have located used one off of a 2000 model,and how about a rebuild kit is there one available, any info appreciated.



97 2500

 

[Dave M]

I don't know about other hyroboost fitting on your 97 but I had my 97 hydroboost unit repaired (This is a NEW unit not a rebuilt one!) by Hydrotech Braking about 5+ years ago and have had no problems. Paul (Hydratech) was good to answer all my emails with specific questions on how to bleed the system etc. They were very good with customer service.



Here is a link to their web site (that I found on TDR back then. . of someone who used them and were satisfied):



Hydratech Braking Systems ::* FAQ ::* Hydratech Braking Systems - manufacturers of high performance hydraulic brake assist systems!* HydratechBraking.com / Hydroboost.com



You won't find Dodge listed on their site but give them a call or email. They mostly do race cars by modifying them to go from vacuum brakes to hyrdoboost but they will rebuild yours. You must send the hydroboost unit with the firewall mounting bracket and pedal plunger (since they cannot buy these from Dodge) and they will rebuild yours (Edit: They will give you a NEW unit and put the bracket and plunger from your old unit on the NEW unit) and return it. The turn around was a few days.



It means you can't drive the truck for the 2-3 weeks it's in transit but I highly recommend them. Rebuilt units are just not reliable from parts places but these guys stand behind their product.



PS: According to Hydratech, it takes specilized equipment to rebuid the hyrdoboost unit so I doubt there are rebuild kits available. Parts places like NAPA, Autozone etc can provide rebuilt units but I heard lots of complaints on returns of rebuilt units.



Good luck,

Dave

 

[rchilders]

What is the best way to bleed the hydro booster after installation

 

[Dave M]

There are rubber "O" rings on the ends of the hydraulic lines. I replaced them even though they looked good. Once everything is back together fill the resevoir with PS Fluid (synthetic is best... I used REDLINe but Royal Purple is good too... . make sure you have 2-3 quarts) and place your Jack so as to take most of the weight off the front tires. Allow your engine to idle and turn your steering wheel stop to stop several times and keep checking the fluid level because as the air goes out the fluid level will go down. You don't want to suck air into the lines if you can help it. The system should self purge the air.



A hint: When checking the power steering pump resovoir look for foaming or bubbles. If you see that wait 5 minutes or until no bubbles or foam appears. Then fill it and turn engine on and turn wheel lock-to-lock. This will help keep the air out of the system and make bleeding easier. When you first add fluid, fill to top and turn engine on for 10 seconds and then off and refill since it will suck up fluid quickly at first. Repeat and turn steering wheel slightly left to right and turn off engine and recheck fluid. Eventually you will be turning the wheel lock to lock several times as you purge air and fill system but always let the foam and air bubbles settle in resovoir before turning engine on and you will get less air in system.



To bleed, get the front tires off the ground and turn the steering wheel lock to lock about 10 times with engine off. Check every so often that theres still p/s fluid in the pump reservior. After hold down the brake pedal and fire it up, turning lock to lock. Do that 5-10 times. That's it. Good idea to check the fluid later on cause there might be a bit more air that will work it's way out. ”After you test drive check the fluid level again.

 

[Dave M]

Are you currently using synthetic PS fluid? If not, this is a good time to switch. I went back thru emails I saved when I did the hydroboost. I was switching from regular to synthetic fluid so they recommeneded purging out the old fluid. Here is an excerpt from a response from Paul at hyratech regarding how to convert fluids:

PS fluid? I'd prefer you use the commonly available Valvoline SynPower semisynthetic fluid as opposed to the NAPA, though you'd be OK with the NAPA fluid too. I would like to see the system flushed before installation of the new brake assist unit. How? Yank the return line off the ps pump reservoir, cap the fitting on the pump, extend the return line as needed to reach a suitable container, fill the ps pump reservoir up then start the engine briefly - this will vigorously push the fluid through the system into the container. Next, reconnect the ps return line to the ps pump, fill pump up again, start engine, run for 2-3 minutes while steering the vehicle full right / left a few times and also applying the brakes randomly. Shut the engine off, depress the brake pedal firmly a few times to relieve any pressure in the brake assist unit accumulator. Disconnect the low pressure return line again, and repeat the first part of the procedure 2-3 times, or until you see clearer, cleaner fluid coming out of the system into your container. If you are "fast enough", you could continue pouring fresh ps fluid into the pump while it dumps out into your waste container...

Here is info on how to remove the hydroboost for shipping and all the bracketry on it they wanted intack:

What needs to get sent in? Essentially everything you see in the replacement pics provided in an earlier e-mail. I know what you need back and will insure that you aren't sitting there with a missing part. You might as well unbolt the master cylinder from the assist unit, secure it forward and off to the side a few inches using a bungee cord or coat hanger, disconnect the 3 lines from the assist unit, disconnect the brake pedal rod connection, unbolt it from the firewall, yank it out of the vehicle and drain it out as best you can. Do not remove anything more from the brake assist unit, as I have had guys "outsmart themselves" by attempting to "dig into the assist units / remove small parts" to ultimately cause some minor issues. Specifically, leave the funky mc adapter plate on the unit, leave the rubber firewall seal / grommet on the unit, basically leave the assist unit "dressed" / as removed from the truck. This will allow us to clean everything up and make sure that what you get beck is literally ready to "slam dunk" back into the truck without hassles.

Good Luck,

dave

 

[Dave M]

I must correct a mistake I made regarding Hydratech rebuilding my hydroboost. They did not rebuild mine but send me a NEW replacement hydroboost not a rebuilt one.



I sent my old one in because they needed to salvage the firewall mounting plate, the special mc pushrod, or the brake pedal rod since they cannot source these parts from Dodge. This means that you would have to yank your hydoboost assist unit out of the vehicle, send it in for them to transfer these components onto your replacement assist unit (using highly specialized equipment and procedures), then ship back to you.



You get a NEW not rebuilt hyrdoboost unit.



Sorry for the confusion.



dave