Hydroboost troubleshooting

[hlb3]

I'm having some issues with the hydroboost system on my truck (2000 7.3 F550). The brakes still work, but the brake pedal had gotten very stiff. The power steering totally fine 90% of the time, but occasionally gets a bit heavier than usual, usually at low speeds. How can I tell if the booster is bad or if the pump is weak?

I flushed out all of the fluid last summer and it didn't make any difference and I haven't found any leaks.

I'm leaning toward the brake booster being the problem, but I hate throwing money at problems if I don't know for sure what the problem is. I've been reading crap for the last few days and it seems like it is kind of a crap shoot.

Any recommendations on how to test the pump and booster?

 

[crash2]

When parking lot turning what happens when ya tap the brake pedal?

 

[srgould41]

Mine exhibits similar hard turning when the filter is plugged.

 

[TreeClimber]

Mine exhibits similar hard turning when the filter is plugged.

The little screen in the back of the pump (at the pressure hose output)?
or.. is there another filter somewhere in the hydroboost system?

 

[srgould41]

I have an inline filter. I made the assumption that your system would have a filter too.