Use the table below to help you find the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate the priority of the like cause of the problem. Check each part in order. If necessary, replace these parts.
Symptom | Suspect Area | Remedy |
Lower pedal or spongy pedal | 1. Brake system (Fluid leaks) 2. Brake system (Air in) 3. Piston seals (Worn or damaged) 4. Master cylinder (Faulty) | Repair Air bleeding Replace Replace |
Brake drag | 1. Brake pedal free play (Minimum) 2. Parking brake lever travel (Out of adjustment) 3. Parking brake wire (Sticking) 4. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) 5. Piston (Stuck) 6. Piston (Frozen) 7. Return spring (Faulty) 8. Booster system (Vacuum leaks) 9. Master cylinder (Faulty) | Adjust Adjust Repair Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace |
Brake pull | 1. Piston (sticking) 2. Pad or lining (Oily) 3. Piston (Frozen) 4. Disc (Scored) 5. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) | Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace |
Hard pedal but brake inefficient | 1. Brake system (Fluid leaks) 2. Brake system (Air in) 3. Pad or lining (Worn) 4. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) 5. Pad or lining (Oily) 6. Pad or lining (Glazed) 7. Disc (Scored) 8. Booster system (Vacuum leaks) | Repair Air bleeding Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace |
Noise from brake | 1. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) 2. Installation bolt (Loosen) 3. Disc (Scored) 4. Sliding pin (Worn) 5. Pad or lining (Dirty) 6. Pad or lining (Glazed) 7. Return spring (Faulty) 8. Brake pad shim (Damage) 9. Shoe hold-down spring (Damage) | Replace Retighten Replace Replace Clean Replace Replace Replace Replace |
Brake fades | 1. Master cylinder | Replace |
Brake vibration, pulsation | 1. Disc (Excessive thickness variation) 2. Disc (Faulty run-out) 3. Disc (Uneven worn or crack) 4. Pad or lining (Uneven worn and contact) 5. Caliper (Faulty pad sliding) | Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace |
Brake chatter | Brake chatter is usually caused by loose or worn components, or glazed or burnt linings. Rotors with hard spots can also contribute to brake chatter. Additional causes of chatter are out-of-tolerance rotors, brake lining not securely attached to the shoes, loose wheel bearings and contaminated brake lining. |
