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 | Reference |
Lower pedal or spongy pedal | 1. Brake system (Fluid leaks) 2. Brake system (Air in) 3. Piston seals (Worn or damaged) 4. Rear brake shoe clearance(Out of adjustment) 5. Master cylinder (Inoperative) | repair air·bleed replace adjust replace |
Brake drag | 1. Brake pedal free play (Minimum) 2. Parking brake lever travel (Out of adjustment) 3. Parking brake wire (Sticking) 4. Rear brake shoe clearance(Out of adjustment) 5. Pad (Cracked or distorted) 6. Piston (Stuck) 7. Piston (Frozen) 8. Anchor or Return spring (Inoperative) 9. Booster system (Vacuum leaks) 10. Master cylinder (Inoperative) | adjust adjust repair adjust replace replace replace replace replace replace |
Brake pull | 1. Piston (Sticking) 2. Pad (Oily) 3. Piston (Frozen) 4. Disc (Scored) 5. Pad (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 (Worn) 4. Pad (Cracked or distorted) 5. Rear brake shoe clearance(Out of adjustment) 6. Pad (Oily) 7. Pad (Glazed) 8. Disc (Scored) 9. Booster system (Vacuum leaks) | repair air·bleed replace replace adjust replace replace replace replace |
Noise from brake | 1. Pad (Cracked or distorted) 2. Installation bolt (Loosen) 3. Disc (Scored) 4. Sliding pin (Worn) 5. Pad (Dirty) 6. Pad (Glazed) 7. Anchor or Return spring (Faulty) 8. Brake pad shim (Damage) | replace adjust replace replace clean replace replace replace |
Brake fades | 1. Master cylinder (Inoperative) | replace |
Brake vibration, pulsation | 1. Brake booster (Vacuum leaks) 2. Pedal free play 3. Master cylinder (Inoperative) 4. Caliper (Damage) 5. Master cylinder cap seal 6. Damaged brake lines | replace adjust 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. |
