Brake booster

A brake booster, also called a vacuum servo or power brake unit, is the part of the braking system that cuts the effort needed to press the brakes. It uses a vacuum, usually from the engine, to amplify the force from the pedal and make braking easier.When the booster loses its ability to hold a vacuum, all that assistance disappears and the pedal turns stiff and unresponsive. It's the round drum-shaped unit on the bulkhead, sandwiched between the brake pedal and the master cylinder. That makes stopping much harder work, and in an emergency, it can stretch your braking distance dangerously, so a failing servo is well worth sorting quickly.If the brake pedal suddenly goes rock-hard and the car takes far more effort and distance to stop, the booster has lost vacuum and the brakes need attention straight away. Signs it's on the way out:

• A hard, stiff pedal: The most common symptom is that lost vacuum leaves your foot doing all the work.
• Longer stopping distances: The car needs noticeably more pedal and road to pull up.
• A hissing noise when braking: Air leaking through a split diaphragm or seal.
• The engine stumbles as you brake: A leaking booster upsets the engine's vacuum and idle.
• A pedal that creeps up over time: Assistance fades as the unit slowly loses its seal.
• Stalling when the brakes are pressed: A serious vacuum leak is pulling the idle down.

A used or rebuilt brake booster comes in far below a new one, though the listings sit dotted across plenty of separate sites. Parthunt24 pulls brake booster listings together from marketplaces like Ovoko, ProxyParts, eBay, and TotalParts, putting 1605 options in one view to weigh on price, condition, and fitment before you pick a seller.

A booster has to match your car closely, because it sits at the heart of how the brakes feel and perform. The booster diameter sets how much assistance it gives, and a petrol car drawing vacuum from the intake may need a different setup from a diesel running off a vacuum pump.Match the OEM number first, then check the master cylinder it pairs with, the firewall mounting pattern, and the pushrod length; all line up with what you're removing.Type your make and model into Parthunt24 and the results trim to boosters that suit your car. Each listing carries you to the marketplace hosting it, where the seller's full description and the checkout sit together.

• Vehicle make, model, and year: Brake booster units are chassis- and version-specific.
• OEM part number: The most reliable way to ensure correct fitment.
• Brake system type: ABS and non-ABS systems may use different boosters.
• Engine type: Petrol and diesel engines may require different vacuum setups.
• Booster diameter: Must match the vehicle’s braking-force requirements.
• Vacuum source type: Check whether the vehicle uses a vacuum pump or an intake-manifold vacuum system.
• Master cylinder compatibility: The booster must match the attached master-cylinder design.
• Mounting pattern: The firewall mounting points must align exactly.
• Push rod length: An incorrect length can affect braking performance.
• Left-hand vs. right-hand drive: The booster layout differs depending on the steering position.

On the seller's page, a booster's health is sealed inside its diaphragm, so the seller's account of how it held vacuum is what you're really buying. A booster can look spotless outside while leaking through a perished diaphragm, so a note confirming it held vacuum and gave firm assistance on the donor is the detail that matters.

• Photos: The booster body, the master cylinder face, the vacuum port, and the mounting studs.
• Seller reputation: Length of trading history, overall score, and recent reviews.
• Compatibility: OEM number and master cylinder match confirmed for your car.
• Included components: Booster only, or with the master cylinder, gasket, or pushrod?
• Condition: Used, tested, or rebuilt? Ask about vacuum leaks and corrosion.
• Testing: Confirmation that it held a vacuum and the diaphragm wasn't leaking before removal.
• Warranty and returns: A clear policy, which counts for a lot on a brake part.
• Shipping: The vacuum port is sealed and the unit is boxed so the casing isn't dented.
• Documentation: Which car it came off, with proof of a clean removal.

If you are satisfied with the seller's listing, order the brake booster through their marketplace.

What you pay for a brake booster turns on the car, the brand, and whether the master cylinder comes attached. A used booster for a common car runs around €30-€90, an OEM unit or one sold with its master cylinder sits at €90-€220, and boosters for premium or performance models can climb past €300.Brake booster prices on Parthunt24 open from 5.00.Here's what sets one brake booster price above another:

• Master cylinder included: A booster sold with its cylinder costs more but saves a separate buy.
• Brand: Known braking brands sit above unbranded aftermarket units.
• Rebuilt vs used: A rebuilt booster costs more but comes with a fresh diaphragm and warranty.
• Model rarity: Common cars stay cheap; rare or premium models cost more.
• Condition: A tested, vacuum-tight booster takes the higher price.

Sort the Parthunt24 results by price and the best listing should become clear to see.

The booster sits between the vacuum supply and the hydraulics, so swapping it is the moment to check both what feeds it and what follows. The vacuum source ahead of the booster and the brake parts behind it both shape how it performs, and the system has to be bled regardless, so give these a look while you're in there. Browse these on Parthunt24:

• Vacuum hose: A cracked hose starves the booster of the vacuum it needs.
• Master brake cylinder: Bolts straight to the booster and is often renewed with it.
• Brake fluid reservoir: Worth refreshing while the master cylinder is off.
• Brake pedal: Worn pivots affect how the pushrod meets the booster.
• Brake pads: Worth checking while the system is open and being bled.
• Vacuum pump: On diesels, a weak pump leaves the booster short of vacuum.
• Brake fluid: Always bleed through fresh fluid to the correct DOT spec after fitting.

The wrong brake booster means a heavy, awkward safety part to box up and return, so a careful comparison beforehand pays off. Parthunt24 gathers the major used-parts marketplaces onto one page, with the condition, the diameter and vacuum detail, and the price set against every brake booster in the results, across mainstream and premium cars in Europe.Compare every booster in one place and the cheapest sound one is simple to pick. Compare prices, find the best deal, and buy a brake booster for your car today on Parthunt24.