hydroboost/power steering line leak

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Hartwell

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I’ve got a 94 k2500 with a 454 with the hydroboost setup. Ever since I bought it back in march, the thing’s been going through ps fluid like crazy. Been trying to source the leak but every time I clean the lines, they all just get dirty again with fluid on the fire wall under the hydroboost. Leads me to think its the hydroboost to blame. I plan to replace all the lines and I wanna replace the hydrobooster, if not, repair it somehow. Was wondering if anyone had anymore knowledge on these hydroboosters- how to repair them if it comes to that, fitment of an after market hydroboost, etc. Thanks in advance.


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454cid

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There are guys that get seals for them, but it's always seemed a little bit dicey to me... like you really needed to know what you were doing, or have the patience to possibly do it over again. I think it's only possible to replace some of the parts/seals any way... something having to do with a rod not being removable? You can Google it, and find the specifics. It's been awhile since I looked at it.

When mine started leaking, I bought a rebuilt AC Delco unit through Amazon or Rockauto. It's been fine. I saved my original to possibly rebuild/reseal later.

Putting in the new Hydroboost wasn't hard to do. If I recall correctly some of the bolts/nuts were a little difficult clearance-wise, but doable with some patience. I didn't even have to open up the brake hydraulics.

I think the brake switch, had to come out under the dash. There is some sort of fancy clip that needs to be removed. Some people rip it off, and get a new one. I was able to carefully remove it, and then re-use it.

Doing your PS lines at the same time, is probably a good idea, just keep track of where they all go. I re-used my originals, and they lasted a few more years, but I had to replace them all last year. They had been leaking for awhile before I finally got annoyed with it enough to do something about it.

Be ready for something else to leak... my driveway looks like I might step out of the house one day and find a rescue team with Dawn dish soap, ready to clean up baby seals and ducks.
 

JackE

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I replaced the hydro unit on mine last year. Rebuilding it isn't something I was willing to even try. Brakes are one major thing I will not mess around with. New parts all the time, stopping is very important to me! I bought mine off Rock Auto. Changing isn't too bad. I found it much easier to lower the steering column to the floor and work on the rod/pedal connection and didn't break anything doing it that way. I also changed all my lines at the same time. Of course, I rebuilt the engine at the same time, so everything that came off went back on new.
 

Hartwell

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There are guys that get seals for them, but it's always seemed a little bit dicey to me... like you really needed to know what you were doing, or have the patience to possibly do it over again. I think it's only possible to replace some of the parts/seals any way... something having to do with a rod not being removable? You can Google it, and find the specifics. It's been awhile since I looked at it.

When mine started leaking, I bought a rebuilt AC Delco unit through Amazon or Rockauto. It's been fine. I saved my original to possibly rebuild/reseal later.

Putting in the new Hydroboost wasn't hard to do. If I recall correctly some of the bolts/nuts were a little difficult clearance-wise, but doable with some patience. I didn't even have to open up the brake hydraulics.

I think the brake switch, had to come out under the dash. There is some sort of fancy clip that needs to be removed. Some people rip it off, and get a new one. I was able to carefully remove it, and then re-use it.

Doing your PS lines at the same time, is probably a good idea, just keep track of where they all go. I re-used my originals, and they lasted a few more years, but I had to replace them all last year. They had been leaking for awhile before I finally got annoyed with it enough to do something about it.

Be ready for something else to leak... my driveway looks like I might step out of the house one day and find a rescue team with Dawn dish soap, ready to clean up baby seals and ducks.

Yeah I feel you with the war zone of stains on the driveway, my street is a mess with the ps fluid and i’ve also got a coolant leak to tackle. As for replacing the hydroboost, are all the ones online remanufactured? There’s no new ones available? If not would any gm/acdelco hydrobooster work on these trucks?


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454cid

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Yeah I feel you with the war zone of stains on the driveway, my street is a mess with the ps fluid and i’ve also got a coolant leak to tackle. As for replacing the hydroboost, are all the ones online remanufactured? There’s no new ones available? If not would any gm/acdelco hydrobooster work on these trucks?


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You'll want one for our trucks because of differences in pedals and master cylinders.

You might find a new AC Delco, but it would probably be a lot more expensive.
 

Hartwell

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You'll want one for our trucks because of differences in pedals and master cylinders.

You might find a new AC Delco, but it would probably be a lot more expensive.

I don’t suppose you’ve got a part number or a link to one online? I’d really hate to order one and have the rods be too short or the studs not match up to the holes in the firewall


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454cid

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I don’t suppose you’ve got a part number or a link to one online? I’d really hate to order one and have the rods be too short or the studs not match up to the holes in the firewall


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Look your truck up on Rockauto and then search the number on Amazon to compare prices. My truck is a 99 and may use a different part number than your 94.
 

Zoneless

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Also you may want to cross check your brake rpo code. My 98 k2500 suburban is a JD7 setup but on some sites that sometimes shows up as for diesel only while I have the L29 gas. I found the list of codes for my truck in the glove compartment.
 

Sparkysikes

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I bought new on rockauto. It was a clearance so I bought a spare. Thought F it I plan to own this truck a long time. I did get a reman and it had issues. Autozone..... So when I found a real AC Delco I jumped on it TWICE! But I was told this now I believe it and spread the word.

Name brands matter. On our trucks it's ac Delco or Bosch.... Or replace it again and again. Thermostat was my lesson learner!
 
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