How to Replace the Vacuum Brake Booster in a 1996 Tahoe

Prior to the invention of the vacuum brake booster, brakes were a lot more difficult to operate. Foot power was all that pushed brake fluid into the system, making it tough to drive for long periods of time. The vacuum brake booster uses vacuum from the engine to make pushing the brake pedal easier. When the vacuum brake booster goes out, you're back to manual brakes until it's replaced.

Instructions

1

Pop the hood. Unbolt the master cylinder from the brake booster using an open-end wrench, then pull the master cylinder off of the brake booster, being careful not to bend the brake lines. Unplug the vacuum line to the brake booster.

2

Crawl under the dash and follow the brake pedal up to where the brake linkage connects to the brake pedal. Use the flathead screwdriver to remove the spring clip that holds the linkage to the pedal, then pull the linkage off the pedal assembly.

3

Unbolt the four bolts that secure the booster to the firewall from under the dashboard using the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets. If it becomes difficult to reach one of the bolts, use the universal joint on the end of the extension to gain extra articulation. Move to under the hood and pull out the old vacuum booster.

4

Put the replacement brake booster onto the firewall. Crawl underneath the dash and bolt the booster onto the firewall using the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets, and reattach the linkage to the pedal by pushing the spring clip back onto the pedal.

5

Bolt the master cylinder onto the brake booster using an open-end wrench. Plug the vacuum line onto the brake booster.