So I had a word with the mechanic who installed the brake booster and master cylinder in my ute last October. After originally paying $1400 for new brake booster, master cylinder, brake lines, new caliper pistons, and new rear brake shoes, he told me the brake booster is under 6 months parts and labour guarantee. As it has been 10 months he is not willing to look at the brake booster without yet again charging me more money.

Last night I tried driving with the brake booster line blocked. While the engine idles and performed much more smoothly, the brakes were almost inoperable and very dangerous. The brake pedal felt extremely stiff and braking distance was very great. Unfortunately I can’t identify the brake booster that he put in as I have been told that it is not a standard booster. People have told me that it may come from Toyota as the master cylinder has a Toyota brake fluid reservoir on it that the mechanic decided to put on.

The engine is running like #OOPS# with the brake booster as it stands now and cannot be driven safely by blocking the booster.