LB7: Weakening Brakes, new hydroboost or ???

[diesel53]

Guys,

my lb7 has 80k on the clock and Ive been driving it more lately and getting a softer pedal. So i am thinking its the hydroboost weakening.

Whats the protocol for this? Is a new hydroboost or rebuild the only option? Not sure a flush would help anything...

 

[Chevy1925]

if you hit the pedal quickly like in a panic situation, does the pedal feel like it kicks back at your for a spilt sec then start falling?

have you noticed a drop in the ability to turn the steering wheel easily?

 

[02Dmaxdually]

^^^X2 I had this happen a couple of months ago and it ended up being the high pressure hose on the power steering pump. (steering wheel still worked as it should) replaced both lines and everything has been fine since, and the pedal is back to normal.

 

[btfarm]

Flush made quite a difference on mine when the pedal got mushy.

 

[malibu795]

mostly likely had above 3% water in the brake fluid

 

[diesel53]

-Chevy1925
If I stomped yes it would press back alittle, but I thought that was the ABS working. Maybe not?? Steering is noticably weaker even for 37's, if I ever had to turn at a stop it would not turn without muscling the wheel.

-02Dmaxdually
Hmm, I never thought about the hoses, it is 12 years old now. Ill take a look. Did you have physical bulging or something going on

 

[diesel53]

Its not pressing to the floor, it just feels weak and definitely alittle longer throw before getting the stopping power.

 

[Chevy1925]

the kick back is an indication of the hydroboost starting to go.

IMHO, id replace it, flush the brake fluid and flush the powersteering fluid. if you have not noticed the steering getting progressivly weak SINCE you put the 37s on, it leads me to think the powersteering pump is "ok".

 

[diesel53]

Thanks, is this common at a low mileage? The other 6 duramax trucks in my family do not have this issue.

Age may play a role, mine is the oldest.

 

[Chevy1925]

Thanks, is this common at a low mileage? The other 6 duramax trucks in my family do not have this issue.

Age may play a role, mine is the oldest.

well its kinda like how one of my wheel bearings when 165k before it finally died while the other only lasted 90k. not everything last forever nor created equal so some parts fail sooner than others and others later. i drove on my bad hydroboost for 2-3 years with it kicking back like that till it finally started spitting powersteering fluid out out the bottom of it. i also flushed the brake lines and both of those made a HUGE difference in stopping power

 

[diesel53]

Cool, thanks James, sounds like what I need to do. Its hard enough stopping with good brakes and 37's.

 

[x MadMAX DIESEL]

What about very sensitive steering and soft brakes? Not my truck but a suburban I know they other ones I've drove don't feel the same. Don't mean to hijack figured it was close enough on topic for a quick question

 

[diesel53]

What about very sensitive steering and soft brakes? Not my truck but a suburban I know they other ones I've drove don't feel the same. Don't mean to hijack figured it was close enough on topic for a quick question

If it is the hydro boost style like on the dmax I would assume its the same type of issue.

 

[diesel53]

Last question,

what year hydro boost do i buy? Looks like there are differences between body styles so I have to get an 01?

 

[Chevy1925]

What about very sensitive steering and soft brakes? Not my truck but a suburban I know they other ones I've drove don't feel the same. Don't mean to hijack figured it was close enough on topic for a quick question

could be bad brake fuild, air in the lines, hydrboost (if it has it), or master cylinder. soft brakes is a very vage description

Last question,

what year hydro boost do i buy? Looks like there are differences between body styles so I have to get an 01?

buy what ever comes up for your 2001 chevy 2500hd with the diesel in her

 

[02Dmaxdually]

Yes, the lines were wet

 

[TheBac]

Ive got the seals for my hydroboost in the garage, just have to find the time to rebuild it. I'm not looking forward to it.

 

[Catalinajack]

I am experiencing this problem also. What is a hydroboost, where is it located, and what does it look like?

 

[duratothemax]

what I want to know is if a 2011+ HD hydroboost unit would work, and if its any better than the 2001-2010 unit.

 

[malibu795]

have you tested your brake fluid for water ? anything above 3% is bad