Brake Booster problem

Guys, I need the expertise of this thread. I have a 1998 Tacoma Limited (extended cab, 4x4, manual, 3.4) that has ABS. The brakes have sucked substantially the whole time of my ownership (30k miles)being very spongy and squishy and slowww to stop. So much so that they are rendered useless when the vehicle is off and in neutral. I have put in a new master cylinder and full system bleed. Got only slightly better. Abs doesn’t work, electrical ground issue was the code. I’m thinking it may be the booster, because it hisses when depressed pretty loudly. I can’t tell if there is a special model booster for systems with ABS, they appear to be the same but online is misleading. Any advice? Kinda been thinking about bypassing the ABS all together. Thoughts? Pic for attention

 

First, clean looking truck....
Second, I just did this as well. If I needed to stop quick, the brake engagement was terrible. It felt like the truck would need a second or two for the booster to build pressure and then the brakes would grab. My symptoms were: a whine and hiss from the booster and also after shutting the truck off I could hear a faint air leak from the booster for a few seconds after and then the brake pedal would be rock hard (indicative of a leak in the booster or vac lines)
After replacing the booster all this is much better. Builds pressure right away when I need to stop and after shutting the truck off there is 3-4 brake pumps before the pedal is stiff again.

The OEM booster is pretty expensive and I think there is a company remanufacturing them but also pricey. I ended up finding one on RockAuto that turned out to be the O'reileys brand and its worked so far so good. The booster is pretty straightforward to replace, just tricky to maneuver at times.

As for the ABS, if you want to get rid of it, just pull the fuse under the hood. I also was having some issues with it turning on at random times, and after pulling the fuse its all gone. The only thing is the light on the dash is lit.

 

@Rucas is there a special version of booster that is for ABS trucks, or are they all the same? I can’t tell online

 

How did you bleed the brakes (are you 100% sure you got everything)?
Truck looks a smidge higher in back, have you adjusted your LSPV?
Have you checked AND adjusted your rear shoes properly? Is your E-brake cable tight and does it hold the truck?

 

@LightsOff i had a shop do the flush/bleed. Don’t know what LSPV is, but I haven’t checked the shoes. I did adjust the parking cable and it holds the truck, but not very well.

 

@LightsOff to be fair the brakes still sucked before I lifted it (2” front, 3” rear)

 

Do you do your own work or do you have a trusted mechanic you bring it to?

 

@LightsOff i normally do everything myself, except brakes. Always given me peace of mind to take it to a reputable shop

 

So you did the master and bled the system yourself? If so, you can adjust the rear brakes.

Do you have an FSM to follow?

I'm trying to get to the point and that is, your system needs to be bled properly (to include ABS, which can be tricky so I've heard with 1st gen) and then adjusted properly thereafter BEFORE you go replacing parts and assuming you have issues elsewhere.

 

I second the LSPV... Crawl under the truck and look to see which way the lever moves if there is a load in the bed. Disconnect it and wire tie/zip tie it in that position and take her for a drive and see how the braking is. There are a few manufacturers that make brackets that will lift the rod for normal braking, some are a single piece of steel some are 2, do your research. Remember to blead the LSPV when you bleed the system.

 

The ABS module is separate from the brake booster. They should all be the same even for the 2.4, 2.7, and 3.4L trucks (at least on rock auto they all have the same part numbers).
You can try everything else that was mentioned if its easy, but since you have a whine from the booster, it sounds like it has a bad seal/leak.

Let us know what works so anyone else with similar symptoms can use this to trouble shoot as well!

 

@LightsOff @Glamisman @Rucas love this thread. Took significant raising but the truck is stopping wayyy better with my homemade bracket. Found out I have blown an axle seal and one of my drums is cover with diff fluid, so I don’t imagine I will get great braking until that is repaired. But substantially better. Thanks guys

 

Nice! good job

 

That bracket is a great idea, looks awesome. Looks like this issues been solved but I will say I just did the 13WL (tundra/sequoia) front brake upgrade and it’s a night and day difference, highly recommend.