BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM SYMPTOMS TABLE
Tech Tips
Use the table below to help determine the cause of the 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 | See page |
|---|---|---|
| Low pedal or spongy pedal | Fluid leaks in brake system | - |
| Air in brake system | ||
| Piston seal (Worn or damaged) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Piston seal (Worn or damaged) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Wheel cylinder cup (Damaged) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Brake master cylinder (Faulty) (LHD) | ||
| Brake master cylinder (Faulty) (RHD) | ||
| Brake drag | Brake pedal free play (Minimum) | |
| Parking brake lever travel (Out of adjustment) | ||
| Rear drum brake shoe clearance (Out of adjustment) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Front disc brake piston (Stuck) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Rear disc brake piston (Stuck) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Piston (Stuck) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Front disc brake piston (Frozen) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Rear disc brake piston (Frozen) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Piston (Frozen) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Tension or return spring (Faulty) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Booster system (Vacuum leaks) | ||
| Brake master cylinder (Faulty) (LHD) | ||
| Brake master cylinder (Faulty) (RHD) | ||
| Brake booster push rod (Adjustment necessary) | ||
| Brake pull | Front disc brake piston (Stuck) (Front disc brake) | |
| Rear disc brake piston (Stuck) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Piston (Stuck) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad (Oily) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Oily) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Oily) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Front disc brake piston (Frozen) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Rear disc brake piston (Frozen) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Piston (Frozen) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Front disc (Scored) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Rear disc (Scored) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Rear brake drum (Scored) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Hard pedal but braking inefficient | Fluid leaks in brake system | - |
| Air in brake system | ||
| Front disc brake piston (Stuck) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Rear disc brake piston (Stuck) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Piston (Stuck) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad (Oily) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Oily) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Oily) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad (Glazed) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Glazed) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Glazed) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Front disc (Scored) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Rear disc (Scored) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Rear brake drum (Scored) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Booster system (Vacuum leaks) | ||
| Noise from brakes | Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) | |
| Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Cylinder mounting bolt (Loose) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Cylinder mounting bolt (Loose) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Front disc (Scored) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Rear disc (Scored) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Rear brake drum (Scored) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad support plate (Loose) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad support plate (Loose) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Slide pin (Worn) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Guide pin (Worn) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Dirty) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Dirty) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Dirty) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Pad (Glazed) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Pad (Glazed) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Brake shoe (Glazed) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Tension or return spring (Faulty) (Rear drum brake) | ||
| Anti squeal shim (Damaged) (Front disc brake) | ||
| Anti squeal shim (Damaged) (Rear disc brake) | ||
| Shoe hold down spring (Damaged) (Rear drum brake) |