Tech Corner

Guide To General Brake Problems

Low/Spongy PedalHigh Pedal ForceBrake DragBrake PullBrake GrabBrake NoiseVibrationBrake Wear
Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

Pedal nearly touches floorboard before brakes function.

No brake reserve.

No fluid in master cylinder. Check system for fluid leak and repair.
Excessive free play in brake pedal linkage. Adjust for proper linkage.
Pad “knock-back”. Examine rotor run out and parallelism, bearing adjustment, etc.
Excessive clearance between linings and drums. Adjust brakes.
Contaminated fluid. Replace with approved brake fluid.
Residual line pressure valve faulty. Check/replace.
Air in hydraulic system. Bleed brake system.
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Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

Excessive stopping distance, excessive pedal effort, brakes do not react properly. 		Worn/glazed pads or linings. Replace with new pads or linings.
Frozen calipers or wheel cylinders. Free up and replace if necessary.
Brake booster failure. Inspect booster Assy. Repair as required.
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Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

Sticking brakes may be failing to release properly. 		Brakes adjusted too tight. Readjust and allow sufficient clearance between lining and drum.
Master cylinder by-pass port blocked. Clear blockage.
Weak pedal return spring. Install new springs.
Distorted backing plates. Replace with new plates.
Sticky wheel cylinder. Repair with new cups.
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Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

Car pulls to one side when brakes are applied. 		Contamination of pads or linings with brake fluid, oil, grease, etc. Clean or replace pads or linings.
Unmatched pads or linings. Replace with correct parts.
Faulty caliper pad alignment. Check for loose caliper mounting bolts, guide pins, broken clips.
Unequal brake adjustment. Readjust all brakes.
Seized Calliper. Overhaul both calipers (ie. pin and seal kits) on that axle.
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Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

“Touchy” brakes that grab with least pressure. 		Contamination of pads or linings with brake fluid, oil, grease, etc. Clean or replace pads or linings.
Caliper not aligned with disc. Correct alignment.
Mounting bolts loose. Tighten to specified torque.
Brake lines, hoses kinked, collapsed or clogged. Repair or replace.
Caliper pistons or slides seized. Free up and replace if damaged.
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Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

Brakes should operate with minimal amount of noise.

However excessive squeal, screech, groaning, grinding chatter or rattle means your brakes need attention.

Too much lateral run out of rotor Correct run out to manufacturers spec.
Worn pads or linings. Replace with new pads or linings.
Twisted brake shoe. Replace brake shoes.
Weak or broken spring components. Replace with new springs.
Drums out of round. Turn or replace drums.
Loose wheel bearing. Adjust or replace faulty parts.
Foreign particles embedded in material. Replace with new pads or linings.
Faulty caliper alignment. Readjust.
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Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

Brake pedal, steering wheel or entire wheel shakes, vibrates or pulsates when brake is applied. 		Rotor run out and parallelism. Resurface disc brake rotors.
Wear in steering and suspension components. Examine and replace worn components.
Wheels out of balance. Wheel balance required.
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Description Probable Cause Corrective Action

Premature wear can be caused by a number of faults in the brake system.

To avoid costly repairs have the brakes checked at least once a year.

Wrong type of pad or lining material for operating conditions. Replace with correct pad or lining material for application.
Caliper pistons and/or pins seized. Fit pin and seal kits.
Extremely rough rotor surface. Regrind rotors.
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