Problem Symptoms Table
Use the table below to help you find the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate priority of the likely cause of the problem. Check each part in order. If necessary, replace these parts.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
| Symptom | Suspect Area | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Lower pedal or spongy pedal | 1. Brake system (Fluid leaks) | Repair |
| 2. Brake system (Air in) | Air bleeding | |
| 3. Piston seals (Worn or damaged) | Replace | |
| 4. Master cylinder (Faulty) | Adjust | |
| Brake drag | 1. Brake pedal free play (Minimum) | Adjust |
| 2. Parking brake lever travel (Out of adjustment) | Adjust | |
| 3. Parking brake wire (Sticking) | Repair | |
| 4. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) | Replace | |
| 5. Piston (Stuck) | Replace | |
| 6. Piston (Frozen) | Adjust | |
| 7. Return spring (Faulty) | Replace | |
| 8. Booster system (Vacuum leaks) | Replace | |
| 9. Master cylinder (Faulty) | Repair | |
| Brake pull | 1. Piston (sticking) | Replace |
| 2. Pad or lining (Oily) | Replace | |
| 3. Piston (Frozen) | Replace | |
| 4. Disc (Scored) | Replace | |
| 5. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) | Replace | |
| Hard pedal but brake inefficient | 1. Brake system (Fluid leaks) | Repair |
| 2. Brake system (Air in) | Air bleeding | |
| 3. Pad or lining (Worn) | Replace | |
| 4. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) | Replace | |
| 5. Pad or lining (Oily) | Replace | |
| 6. Pad or lining (Oily) | Adjust | |
| 7. Pad or lining (Glazed) | Replace | |
| 8. Disc (Scored) | Replace | |
| 9. Booster system (Vacuum leaks) | Repair | |
| Noise from brake | 1. Pad or lining (Cracked or distorted) | Replace |
| 2. Installation bolt (Loosen) | Retighten | |
| 3. Disc (Scored) | Replace | |
| 4. Pad retainers (Loosen) | Retighten | |
| 5. Sliding pin (Worn) | Replace | |
| 6. Pad or lining (Dirty) | Clean | |
| 7. Pad or lining (Glazed) | Replace | |
| 8. Return spring (Faulty) | Replace | |
| 9. Brake pad shim (Damage) | Replace | |
| 10. Shoe hold-down spring (Damage) | Replace | |
| Brake fades | 1. Master cylinder | Replace |
| Brake vibration, pulsation | 1. Brake booster | Replace |
| 2. Pedal free play | Adjust | |
| 3. Master cylinder | Replace | |
| 4. Caliper | Replace | |
| 5. Master cylinder cap seal | Replace | |
| 6. Damaged brake lines | 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. |