My 1991 Dodge Spirit recently decided to give me a heart-stopping moment when the brake booster failed. Approaching an intersection, I hit the brakes, but the car continued for an unnerving 10-15 feet further than expected. Thankfully, disaster was averted. There were no warning signs—no brake light, no unusual pedal feel. After some cautious experimentation, I realized the problem only surfaced at higher speeds.
Initially, I suspected worn brake pads, but an inspection revealed they were in good condition. No fluid leaks, master cylinder levels were fine. As I reversed out of the driveway for a test drive, the reduced braking power returned, accompanied by a distinct “whooshing” sound from under the dash. A leaking brake booster was the culprit.
Contemplating junking the car, I decided to price a replacement booster first. To my surprise, a remanufactured unit cost little more than a full tank of gas. I compared prices at Rock Auto, Advance Auto, NAPA, and AutoZone. Even with online discounts, AutoZone offered the best deal with a 20% off coupon. Rock Auto’s price became uncompetitive after factoring in shipping. A local AutoZone just 16 miles away had the Cardone remanufactured unit in stock, and after the core return, the final cost was around $58.
The replacement process was far from enjoyable, thanks to the cramped space under the dash. Removing the old booster required removing the brake light switch, lower dash panel, and even lowering the steering column. The upper right nut was particularly challenging to access. This was a stark contrast to a previous booster replacement on a Toyota Celica, which was comparatively straightforward. Frequent breaks were necessary to avoid injury. After wrestling with the old unit, I managed to install the new booster, master cylinder, brake lines, and cruise control unit.
The next morning, I finished the job by reconnecting the brake pedal, reinstalling the switch, steering column, and dash components. The new booster seems to have solved the braking issue. Braking feels solid, and the “whooshing” sound is gone. The pedal travel is slightly longer, requiring a brake bleed and potential booster rod adjustment, as outlined in the instructions. The lack of a brake light suggests minimal air in the lines.
In my years of experience with older cars, this was my first encounter with a brake booster failure. It’s a testament to AutoZone’s competitive pricing and convenient location that I was able to resolve this issue quickly and affordably. While the repair itself was physically demanding due to the tight working area, the remanufactured booster from AutoZone has restored my Dodge Spirit’s braking performance. Hopefully, this fix will keep the car on the road for another year or so.
