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Vacuum Power Assist Service

Most late-model vehicles use a vacuum booster to help apply the brakes. The booster is usually located behind the master cylinder on the firewall. A leak in the vent valve can cause a reduction in the performance of the booster and increase pedal travel. A manifold vacuum of 20 inHg or greater can be achieved during deceleration. The booster chambers can be evacuated and retained at this pressure by a properly operating check valve.

Vacuum Pumps and Parking Brake Actuators

As the car parc evolves, so do service opportunities. This video is sponsored by Standard.

VIDEO: Performing A Power Steering Flush

Here is the process for performing a simple but effective manual flush. This video is sponsored by CARDONE.

Servicing Volkswagen Gas Engine Vacuum Pumps

VW has been using vacuum pumps to power the brake booster on its diesel-powered vehicles for almost 40 years.

Hydro-Boost: The Non-Vacuum Booster

Hydro-boost brake boosters can be mysterious to the untrained technician because part-swapping will not solve some brake issues. These systems use the pressure of the power steering pump to power the brake booster. The booster is essentially a power steering unit that supplements the driver’s input.

Brake Assist: Diagnosing Low And Hard Brake Pedals

Brake pedal assist complaints are often subjective in nature and, for that reason, can be difficult to solve. Grandma, with her arthritic feet, might be highly sensitive to a slight loss of pedal assist, but her lead-footed grandson not so much. But on-going technology is bringing a certain degree of objectivity into brake-assist diagnosis.

Converting the Masses: Turning a Gas Powered Vehicle into an EV

While some will choose to purchase a new EV, there has been a growing group of enthusiasts who would rather convert or have someone else switch their petroleum-burning vehicles into electric drive.

Undercover: Stopping Power — Servicing Ford’s Hybrid Braking System

In traditional vehicles, the energy used to decelerate the car is lost as heat when the driver applies the brakes. Hybrids, on the other hand, can recover a substantial portion of what would otherwise be “lost energy” and store it in the battery for later use. This is known as regenerative braking.

Performance Primer: Induction Production — Bolt-On Horsepower Tactics

There are a lot of induction system options to consider. Which setup you choose to use will depend on the application (street performance, circle track, drag race, off-road or marine), any rules that may restrict the kinds of parts that can be used, and your customer’s budget.

Component Connection: Breaking Down Power Steering Pump Diagnostics

Although installing a new or remanufactured replacement pump usually remedies the majority of power assist and noise complaints, a technician may still encounter a few complaints that appear to have no outward cause.