Hydro brakes

[liam]

Does anyone know if hydro brakes are worse than vacuum brakes or are hydro brakes better

 

[AuroraGirl]

Does anyone know if hydro brakes are worse than vacuum brakes or are hydro brakes better

A dual diaphram brake booster thats vacuum, is a very solid thing to have for brakes.

But hydroboost is known for being better , being its run off your power steering pump, and not dependent on the engines vacuum. so you could have a diesel or a big cam in your v8 and not worry about under "powering" your brakes.

Hydroboost feels different in the pedal, and I think its added bulk might not be the best for a smooth everyday driver

you also may have a heavy steering wheel holding the brakes on a hydroboost, but Im not sure if thats just my pump being a little weak or part of the system as it is

I mentioned diaphram being dual because a lot of these trucks came with single diaphrams. dual diaphrams are better.

 

[fast 99]

From the factory generally hydroboost was used on higher GVW and diesel vehicles.

I had a fleet of these trucks with both vacuum and hydroboost. If vacuum will work for the application that's what I prefer. Hydroboost is more expensive to repair. Adds several more components [hoses] and other possible leak locations. My experience vacuum boosters lasted longer provided master cylinder didn't leak in the rear. Most of our trucks with hydroboost started developing leaks around 100k.

 

[SquareRoot]

Vacuum brakes suck

 

[Craig Nedrow]

I have vacuum on the 73, never was that great, Going to hydraboost, as Aurora Girl said, good for big cammed engines with low vacuum, like my engine. My 86 is hydraboost and I like it alot, will put the exact unit in my 73.