How to Perform a Brake Booster Push Rod Adjustment

To make sure you car’s brake system functions safely, it’s important to regulate the brake-booster push-rod adjustment. If your push rod isn’t the correct length, it can cause issues, like a soft car pedal. Not only is a soft pedal annoying to deal with, but also it can be a safety hazard. Learn how to adjust your brake system’s push rod by following the steps below.

Step 1 – Prepare the Car

Before beginning, put the car in "park" or "neutral." Then, set the emergency brake and raise the hood. Carefully disconnect the negative battery terminal to ensure there is no power running through the vehicle before working on it.

Step 2 – Identify the Correct Push-Rod Length

Next, you must figure out the correct length your push rod should be. A too-long rod might make the brakes drag in your automobile, but if a rod is too short, it will make noises. For correct and reliable braking, use a push-rod checking kit or push-rod depth gauge to identify the correct length. Follow the directions that come with the kit to get the correct length.

Step 3 – Make Adjustments to the Push Rod

Disconnect the cylinder and locate the push rod. Using your pliers, adjust the push rod to the appropriate length. Turn the adjusting nut on the push rod inward or outward to shorten or lengthen the rod.

Using Shims

If you can’t make adjustments onto the push rod itself, you can use a shim to shorten the rod. If the rod is already too short, remove the original shims.

Step 4 – Reconnect Cable to Battery

Once you’ve adjusted the push rod to the appropriate size, reconnect the power and test out your brakes to see if the problem has been fixed.