Tech Tips
Use the table below to help determine the cause of problem symptoms. If multiple suspected areas are listed, the potential causes of the symptoms are listed in order of probability in the "Suspected Area" column of the table. Check each symptom by checking the suspected areas in the order they are listed. Replace parts as necessary.
| Symptom | Suspected Area | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Low pedal or spongy pedal | Fluid leaks in brake system | - |
| Air in brake system (w/ VSC) | ||
| Air in brake system (w/o VSC) | ||
| Front disc brake piston seals (Worn or damaged) | ||
| Rear disc brake piston seals (Worn or damaged) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe clearance (Adjustment necessary) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Brake master cylinder (Faulty) | ||
| Booster push rod (Adjustment necessary) | ||
| Brake drag | Brake pedal free play (Minimal) | |
| Parking brake shoe lever travel (Adjustment necessary) | ||
| No. 1 parking brake wire (Stuck) | ||
| No. 2 parking brake wire (Stuck) | ||
| No. 3 parking brake wire (Stuck) | ||
| Front disc brake pad (Cracked or distorted) | ||
| Rear disc brake pad (Cracked or distorted) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe lining (Cracked or distorted) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Front disc brake piston (Stuck or frozen) | ||
| Rear disc brake piston (Stuck or frozen) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear wheel cylinder (Stuck or frozen) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe tension or return spring (Faulty) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Booster push rod (Adjustment necessary) | ||
| Vacuum leaks in booster system | ||
| Brake master cylinder (Faulty) | ||
| Brake pull | Front disc brake piston (Stuck or frozen) | |
| Rear disc brake piston (Stuck or frozen) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear wheel cylinder (Stuck or frozen) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Front disc brake pad (Oily, cracked or distorted) | ||
| Rear disc brake pad (Oily, cracked or distorted) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe lining (Oily, cracked or distorted) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Front disc (Scored) | ||
| Rear disc (Scored) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Brake pedal is depressed firmly but brake is insufficient | Fluid leaks in brake system | - |
| Air in brake system (w/ VSC) | ||
| Air in brake system (w/o VSC) | ||
| Front disc brake bad (Worn, cracked, distorted, oily or glazed) | ||
| Rear disc brake bad (Worn, cracked, distorted, oily or glazed) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe lining (Worn, cracked, distorted, oily or glazed) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe clearance (Adjustment necessary) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe clearance (Adjustment necessary) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Front brake disc (Scored) | ||
| Rear brake disc (Scored) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Booster push rod (Adjustment necessary) | ||
| Vacuum leaks in booster system | ||
| Noise from brakes | Front disc brake pad (Cracked, distorted, dirty or glazed) | |
| Rear disc brake pad (Cracked, distorted, dirty or glazed) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe lining (Cracked, distorted, dirty or glazed) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Front brake installation bolt | ||
| Rear brake installation bolt (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Front disc (scored) | ||
| Rear disc (scored) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe tension or return spring (Faulty) (for Rear Drum Brake) | ||
| Front disc brake anti-squeal shim (Damaged) | ||
| Rear disc brake anti-squeal shim (Damaged) (for Rear Disc Brake) | ||
| Rear brake shoe hold down spring (Damaged) (for Rear Drum Brake) |