Found a recent upload on YouTube posted that HD. Hard to find anything new. Hopefully the link works as I think it’s a good resource.

Pine Hallow Auto Diagnostic is the channel name. Wish I could find someone like this in Metro Phx. I’m about to replace brake booster. First time. Wish me luck

 

Nice video. The guy in the video did really good job analyzing the failure. Once I saw the sheared pins on the reluctor wheel, I was waiting to see if he'll catch that it was adding another layer to the timing/TDC mismatch mystery. I'm super glad to see that he correctly explained at the end how all these pieces acted as added layers to produce the symptoms he had experienced. Good job on diagnostics. If he was in my area, I'd definitely add him to the list of mechanics approved to work on my Montero I wonder if he is one of the ScannerDanner students. He followed the same analysis/diagnostics pathway as SD often does.

2kXLS4x4, don't despair, you'll find someone in the your area that can work on your truck. The key is to find someone who is willing to think through the diagnostic process vs. just a parts swapper.

 

That’s what I am afraid I am about to do with the brake booster. I did the checks outlined in the FSM section 35A-11. I’m not 100% sure it’s the booster other than the next door neighbor who is a retired mechanic said it was also the booster. I know I would often hear hissing from the booster area. Without having current knowledge of testing and the tools to test I am betting it’s the booster. Can anyone with more expertise confirm it seems to be the booster?

 

Brake booster is an easy DIY job. You did not describe what you are experiencing, so I can't confirm.
Symptoms I've experienced with failed brake booster - horrible "grinding" type of noise under the hood every time I pressed the brake pedal. Brake pedal feels harder than normal.
If you're doing it yourself, Park on level ground, engine off, key off, press brake pedal 20+ times until extra pressure bleeds of and pedal feels soft. Put some old rags around the brake booster and brake reservoir. Unscrew old booster. It will leak some brake fluid, that's why you have rags there... Screw in new booster. Torque to spec. I don't recall proper torque, but it is listed in the manual and often is listed with materials included with the new part. Turn on ignition and prime brakes. Top off brake fluid to Max level. You are good to go.

 

Thanks for the reassurance. Symptoms I am experiencing

brake pedal hard to press after about halfway
hissing noise near brake booster area
pump brakes no change in brake pedal and brakes
trouble stopping even at 5mph.

 

You're right - booster issues result in hard pedal (no assist). I incorrectly listed soft pedal feel. Definitely sounds like you have booster issues. Did you find a replacement?

 

I purchased a part from Rock Auto , Quality-Built part # B3152. I hope it’s a quality replacement