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Thread: Very Stiff Brake Pedal

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Grand Island, NE
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    1994 BMW 325i

    Very Stiff Brake Pedal

    2008 X3 3.0si 102,000 miles
    At the end of a 3 hr drive I came to a stop and had to push extremely hard on the brake pedal to get the car to stop. I tried the pumping of the brakes while car is off then applied pressure to brakes as it was started and the pedal did give some. Looking for advice on where to start in diagnosing the problem. Don't have any other issues. Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    Sounds like a booster issue, check valve ext

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Grand Island, NE
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    1994 BMW 325i
    Quote Originally Posted by jclausen View Post
    Sounds like a booster issue, check valve ext
    Where's the check valve ?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Edmond, OK
    Posts
    19
    My Cars
    Audi A6
    jclausen is right. Booster is not doing it's job. You have three factors to look into:

    1- Check that the vacuum pump to booster hose is attached and it isn't cracked. That's the easy check.
    2- Vac pumps don't go out often on these cars but a failed pump would make the booster inoperable. However a vac pump going out TYPICALLY is a gradual deal, not a sudden one
    3- The booster itself could be not holding vacuum anymore. But it's not a common issue on these cars.

    I think the factor with the highest likeliness to be at fault is the hose being dry-rotted with heat and age and it developed a crack somewhere. That's just the more likely suspect, and easiest/ cheapest to replace. So I really hope this is the problem for you.

    Good luck!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Grand Island, NE
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    1994 BMW 325i
    Took to mechanic and wants to replace vacuum pump to brake booster. Said it took a special tool that he didn't have but could order for $150. Not much experience with X3, (mostly with 325i).
    Quoted estimate of around $1100. Sounds a little much. Is this difficult to replace? Anyone know of a DYI ? i can't believe it's that hard or expensive.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    I believe the vacuum pump on the 6 cylinder is driver side in front of and below a little bit of the intake manifold, its driven off the back of the timing chain system. . It will be harder to replace than the v8 engines, which is quite easy.

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