Troubleshooting

TROUBLESHOOTING

DIAGNOSTIC SYMPTOM TABLE

Use the table below to determine the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate the priority of the probable cause. Check each part in order. If necessary, replace these components.

Symptom	Suspected Area	Reference
Pedal sinks or spongy pedal	1. Brake system (fluid leak) 2. Brake system (air in system) 3. Piston seals (worn or damaged) 4. Rear brake shoe clearance (incorrect adjustment) 5. Master cylinder (malfunction)	Repair Bleed air Replace Adjust Replace
Brake Drag	1. Brake pedal free play (minimum) 2. Parking brake lever travel (incorrect adjustment) 3. Parking brake cable (seized) 4. Rear brake shoe clearance (incorrect adjustment) 5. Gasket or seal (cracked or warped) 6. Piston (stuck) 7. Piston (seized) 8. Anchor or guide pins (malfunction) 9. Brake booster (vacuum leak) 10. Master cylinder (malfunction)	Adjust Adjust Repair Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace Repair Replace
Brake Application	1. Piston (seized) 2. Pad or lining (greasy) 3. Piston (seized) 4. Disc (scored) 5. Gasket or seal (cracked or warped)	Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace
Hard pedal, but ineffective braking	1. Brake system (fluid leak) 2. Brake system (air in system) 3. Lining or facing (damaged) 4. Gasket or seal (cracked or warped) 5. Rear brake shoe clearance (incorrect adjustment) 6. Pad or lining (greasy) 7. Pad or lining (glazed) 8. Disc (scored) 9. Brake booster (vacuum leak)	Repair Bleed air Replace Replace Adjust Adjust Replace Replace Repair
Brake Noise	1. Gasket or seal (cracked or warped) 2. Mounting bolt (loose) 3. Disc (scored) 4. Sliding pin (damaged) 5. Lining or pad (dirty) 6. Pad or lining (glazed) 7. Anchor or guide pins (malfunction) 8. Brake pad shim (damaged) 9. Lining retaining spring (damaged)	Replace Adjust Replace Replace Clean Replace Replace Replace Replace
Brake fading	1. Master cylinder (malfunction)	Replace
Brake vibration, pulsation	1. Brake booster (vacuum leak) 2. Pedal clearance 3. Master cylinder (malfunction) 4. Caliper (damaged) 5. Master cylinder cover gasket. 6. Brake lines damaged.	Replace Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace
Brake Judder	Brake vibration is usually caused by loose or worn components, or by worn or glazed linings. Rotors with hard spots can also contribute to brake vibration. Other causes of vibration include: rotors out of tolerance, brake pads improperly attached to the shoes, loose wheel bearings, and contaminated linings.