I have a hard brake pedal on my '03 x-type. I bled the system, which led to some improvement, but I think the power boost is missing.

The check valve on the vacuum line from the engine to the brake booster is brittle and falling apart. I want to remove it and the vacuum lines, but am afraid to snap off the nipple going into the engine or the plug going into the brake booster. Any suggestions?

 

The plug into the booster is just rubber and will pull right out. The connector to the manifold is a quick connector so you will have to put your fingernails between the bottom of the connector and the manifold which should release the connector. Both connectors are not notorious for breaking so you should be find if you give it a little pull.

 

Thanks for the input. I've found the whole assembly on-line for around $75 and the local parts dealers (NAPA, BAP, etc.) either do not carry it or are at $100. Should I go to the dealer or are there any other viable sources?

 

 

So, I got the vacuum line off and found a new one for a reasonable price(CarQuest). However, the nipple that goes into the intake manifold has a plastic sleeve, which is inside a brass sleeve. I got 95% of the plastic sleeve out and all of the rubber grommet(brittle & broken) from the bottom of the brass sleeve.

So how do I get the brass sleeve out of the intake manifold and what will happen to the 5% of the plastic sleeve that fell into the intake manifold?

 

Final synopsis, I used a vacuum cleaner and tweezers to get the bits of plastic out of the intake manifold, including the rubber grommet from the base of the brass sleeve. I took the grommet from the new brass sleeve and inserted it back into the old one, slipped the new plastic sleeve in, popped the new lines in place and done. Drives fine, brakes are top notch.