Hydro boost brakes awful sound after finishing motor swap

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Ryanbrown36

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Posts
48
Reaction score
52
Location
Ontario, Canada
First Name
Ryan
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
350
I have just completed a Oldsmobile diesel to sbc 355 swap and on my first start every sounded great but the first time I pushed my brakes in it make a grinding noise, and would go away when I let off, I’ve had the truck running about 10 times since then and would come on randomly at idle, now comes on about 5 seconds after the truck starts, the brakes and power steering still work and the fluid is full, anyone have any ideas?
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,888
Reaction score
5,725
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,76,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, k30, k20, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350
Have you tried bleeding it at all? Just finished as in never driven or really ran? Sounds like air in the system. I'm not fluent in the hyrdoboosts though.
 

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
2,637
Reaction score
6,995
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
My hydro boost experience begins and ends with my Dodge, but I believe the systems are reasonably similar. They both use Saginaw pumps and steering gear, the hydro boost units themselves might even interchange (to some extent).

Anyways, mine took quite a bit to get it bled out, lots of turning the wheel lock to lock (in the air), pumping the brake pedal while running. Checking and adding fluid as needed.
 

Ryanbrown36

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Posts
48
Reaction score
52
Location
Ontario, Canada
First Name
Ryan
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
350
Have you tried bleeding it at all? Just finished as in never driven or really ran? Sounds like air in the system. I'm not fluent in the hyrdoboosts though.
I haven’t tried yet, the truck was running with the diesel and everything worked properly until I did the swap so air would definitely make sense, I’m going to bleed it and see what happens, I just didn’t think air would produce that much noise but starting to seem like that’s what it is
 

Ryanbrown36

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Posts
48
Reaction score
52
Location
Ontario, Canada
First Name
Ryan
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
350
My hydro boost experience begins and ends with my Dodge, but I believe the systems are reasonably similar. They both use Saginaw pumps and steering gear, the hydro boost units themselves might even interchange (to some extent).

Anyways, mine took quite a bit to get it bled out, lots of turning the wheel lock to lock (in the air), pumping the brake pedal while running. Checking and adding fluid as needed.
Thank you, will try this tomorrow when I’m off school
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,888
Reaction score
5,725
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,76,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, k30, k20, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350
I haven’t tried yet, the truck was running with the diesel and everything worked properly until I did the swap so air would definitely make sense, I’m going to bleed it and see what happens, I just didn’t think air would produce that much noise but starting to seem like that’s what it is
A "dry" fluid pump will make very many noises. Pretty loud usually too. Haven't you heard all of the 90's-2000's fords whining everywhere they go? lolol
 

jwconnelly

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2024
Posts
2
Reaction score
1
Location
San Antonio
First Name
John
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C15
Engine Size
305
I am troubleshooting mine for the same thing. Replaced the hydrbooster, all lines, power steering pump, and master cylinder. Spent hours upon hours bleeding and still does the same thing.
 

Ryanbrown36

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Posts
48
Reaction score
52
Location
Ontario, Canada
First Name
Ryan
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
350
I am troubleshooting mine for the same thing. Replaced the hydrbooster, all lines, power steering pump, and master cylinder. Spent hours upon hours bleeding and still does the same thing.
I didn't get around to doing a proper bleed tonight but while messing with the carb and had it running for a while I took the cap off for about a minute and forgot about it totally, but now thinking back the sound went away. not sure how long it took to go away but it’s not there currently.
 

Ryanbrown36

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Posts
48
Reaction score
52
Location
Ontario, Canada
First Name
Ryan
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
350
I am troubleshooting mine for the same thing. Replaced the hydrbooster, all lines, power steering pump, and master cylinder. Spent hours upon hours bleeding and still does the same thing.
Is yours almost a grinding noise or a whistle?
 

K5 Blazer

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2023
Posts
54
Reaction score
69
Location
Sant Cruz, CA
First Name
Holden
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K5 Blazer
Engine Size
6.0L LS
I installed a hydroboost on my 1973 K5 Blazer while doing a LS swap. First I jacked up the front end and with the motor running, went lock to lock about 10 times.That purged a majority of the air.
 

Ryanbrown36

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2024
Posts
48
Reaction score
52
Location
Ontario, Canada
First Name
Ryan
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
350
I installed a hydroboost on my 1973 K5 Blazer while doing a LS swap. First I jacked up the front end and with the motor running, went lock to lock about 10 times.That purged a majority of the air.
Oh ok, mine only ever had one line off so wasn’t much air. Mine was almost a grinding noise but slowly went to a whistle and now nothing. But I assume I didn’t have much air in the system which is probably why it was so easy to bleed
 

jwconnelly

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2024
Posts
2
Reaction score
1
Location
San Antonio
First Name
John
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C15
Engine Size
305
Mine is a loud squealing when steering hits the stops. Same when you push hard on the brakes.
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,888
Reaction score
5,725
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,76,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, k30, k20, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350

K5 Blazer

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2023
Posts
54
Reaction score
69
Location
Sant Cruz, CA
First Name
Holden
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K5 Blazer
Engine Size
6.0L LS
Hopefully with the air purged, you are good to go. I differently like the feel of the hydroboost versus vacuum.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,463
Posts
958,487
Members
36,854
Latest member
vince6868
Top