How Long Does a Hydraulic Brake Booster Last?

Being able to brake at a moment’s notice is important and can help to save you from an accident. A car’s braking system has so many different components and keeping them all in good shape is not an easy task. The brake pedal on a car is very easy to press due to the presence of the hydraulic brake booster. This booster is a vacuum system that will help to relieve the pressure off of the brake pedal when trying to stop suddenly. When the brake pedal is pressed, the power booster will go to work making sure that it is easy for you to use the pedal.

Generally, the hydraulic brake booster will last as long as your car does. There are some factors that can lead to the booster being damaged and having to be replaced. Taking the time to notice the signs that your car is giving you when the booster is broken can help to reduce the amount of downtime experienced due to a booster replacement. Usually, this part will not inspected by a professional as part of a routine maintenance procedure, which means that the only time you will notice it is when there are repair issues.

In most cases, the main cause of this booster having to be replaced is a leaking master cylinder. The fluid from the cylinder can leak into the hydraulic brake booster and will lead to a variety of different damages. Having a professional inspect the master cylinder when leaks are suspected can allow you to reduce the damage that is done to your booster.

There will usually be a number of signs that the brake booster on your car is broken and here are some of them.

  • The brake pedal is very hard to press down
  • There is a noticeable loss in braking power
  • A hissing noise occurs when trying to press down on the brake pedal
  • Puddles of brake fluid start to appear

Having the hydraulic brake booster on your car replaced by a professional will help to ensure that it is done the right way. Trying to handle this type of complicated work alone may lead to you doing more harm than good.


The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

How to Replace a Leaking Brake Line
Metal brake lines can rust and need to be replaced if they start to leak. Upgrade yours to a copper-nickel line to resist corrosion.
How to Replace an Anti-Lock Brake Pressure Switch on Most Modern Cars
Anti-lock brake systems (ABS) have a pressure switch that fails if the the light appears on your dashboard or there is wheel locking during braking.
How to Replace a Vacuum Brake Booster
The vacuum brake booster generates extra force for car brakes. If your car is hard to stop or wants to shut off, replace your brake booster.

Related questions

Driver has to pump brake pedal multiple times to brake
I'm not familiar with a pump assisting the system, but the master cylinder creates the hydraulic pressure needed to transfer power from your floor to the brake assemblies. A failing master cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-master-cylinder-replacement) can feel like a leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-fluid-leak-inspection) in...
Rattling noise from front left during left turns or while going over bumps.
Hello. A rattling noise during turns can be caused by many things. If you suspect the noise sounds like a pebble rattle it may be possible that there is one stuck somewhere, perhaps in between the vehicle's wheel well covers,...
Brake keep locking up while driving and coming to a stop and while in park.
The calipers could have a piston that is sticking or the combination valve on the brake system is sticking causing the brakes to be locking up after touching the brake pedal. I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com