what's a brake booster and why do i need one replaced?

[suitcasegirl]

I cant say i didnt join this site to see if anyone could help me with my integra problems. i have a 90 integra ls, and i know i need the master cyliner replaced, i had two shops two months ago tell me this. i got my lines replaced about a year ago. then last week i went to some guy and told him i wanted to know the labor price for him to put on a master cylinder and he asked me if i needed the brake booster replaced. i dont know what a brake booster is and didnt even know i had one. do i need to get both replaced?
as you may be able to decipher, i am a girl and i know dick about cars. and i am just not trying to get screwed.
thanks.

 

[Samurai_Blue]

Your brake booster is the black wheel behind the master cylinder. that usually doesnt need to be replaced.
its the black thing behind the orange sweat bands

 

[Tam4511]

yummmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[lsjdmteg]

how much did they quote u for the work were u located i have a extra master cylynder if you need one. once u swap the master u need to bleed the brakes

 

[suitcasegirl]

i live in the DC area. i got my first estimates in CO, where they quoted me 300, then another place quoted me 200. here they quoted me 425. and i told them id bring them the part, and they quoted me 200 for 2 hours of labor. thats just the master cylinder. i still am unsure whats the deal with this guy asking me about my brake booster.

 

[BrokenTalon27]

i live in the DC area. i got my first estimates in CO, where they quoted me 300, then another place quoted me 200. here they quoted me 425. and i told them id bring them the part, and they quoted me 200 for 2 hours of labor. thats just the master cylinder. i still am unsure whats the deal with this guy asking me about my brake booster.

The brake booster essentially does what it's name suggests. It uses vacuum from your motor to boost the power your brakes apply to the system without you having to expend loads of energy to depress the pedal.
Just because your Master cylinder is bad doesn't mean the brake booster is bad. I'd find a reputable repair shop in the DC area to look over your car before you pay for the service.

Also, $200 for 2 hours of labor is right at the industry's standard price at the moment.

 

[phatintegra]

i live in the DC area. i got my first estimates in CO, where they quoted me 300, then another place quoted me 200. here they quoted me 425. and i told them id bring them the part, and they quoted me 200 for 2 hours of labor. thats just the master cylinder. i still am unsure whats the deal with this guy asking me about my brake booster.

You need to hit me up on PM for numbers. I know (2) shops in the area.

 

[lsjdmteg]

If i was vlose id swap it out and bleed ur brakes n do it for like 50 bux. See this when u gota get some car people friends. Roll ur sleaves up n get dirty. N learn by watching and doin it. Thats what i had to do i got tired of paying people to do work onma car. Gl if u need a madter i have one lmk

 

[Samurai_Blue]

IF you replace your booster yourself its a straight forward procedure, take off the master cyl, you see all the bolts on the outside. the bosster however has a cotter pin in the brake pedal. MAKE SURE YOU GET A USED OEM ONE or a NEW OEM ONE. like from a honda junk yard or HONDA/ACURA. the autozone ones are not in spec and you will waste your life getting it in spec