i have a 1997 Chevy 1500 1/2 ton. i think it has a bad brake booster but i'm looking for conformation before i tear into it and replace it and then have it not be it. when i depress the brake pedal there is a hissing noise coming from the pedal area. when coming to a stop i can stop fine. once stopped if i let off the brake and then push the pedal to stop again i have to put a lot of force on the pedal to get the truck to stop as if i have no assist. also when stopped i can pump the pedal but not let up enough for the truck top move, you can hear the engine almost sturggling to stay running, almost sounds like a miss. any help would be great, thanks.

If it is leaking vacuum it is bad.
MT

how hard is something like that to replace. do i have to rip apart the dash? where can i find a good price on one?

Check your bone yard for used or/and local parts place for rebuilt one.
Not that hard to replace.
Stand on your head and get under dash and unpin brake pedal rod and get the mounting bolt/nuts out from under dash.
Be careful of brake light and cruise switches.
From under hood remove master cylinder but do not take brake line off.
Just remove master cylinder to booster 2 nuts and move master cylinder over to side out of road.

Piece of cake.
1-2 hrs labor.

MT

thanks

You are welcome and Good luck
Let us know how it goes.
MT