Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Symptom Table

Use the table below to find the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate the priority of the possible causes. Check each part in order. Replace these parts as necessary.

Symptom	Suspect area	Reference
Low or Spongy Pedal	1. Brake system (fluid leak) 2. Brake system (air) 3. Piston seals (worn or damaged) 4. Rear brake shoe clearance (not adjusted) 5. Master cylinder (malfunction)	Repair Bleed Replace Adjust Replace
Brake drag	1. Brake pedal free play (minimum) 2. Parking brake lever travel (not adjusted) 3. Parking brake cable (seized) 4. Rear brake shoe clearance (not adjusted) 5. Lining or shoe (cracked or deformed) 6. Piston (stuck) 7. Piston (frozen) 8. Anchor or return spring (malfunction) 9. Brake booster system (vacuum leaks) 10. Master cylinder (malfunction)	Adjust Adjust Repair Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace
Brake linkage	1. Piston (sticking) 2. Pad or shoe (greasy) 3. Piston (frozen) 4. Disc (scored) 5. Lining or shoe (cracked or deformed)	Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace
Hard Pedal, but Brakes Ineffective	1. Brake system (fluid leak) 2. Brake system (air) 3. Lining or pad (worn) 4. Lining or pad (cracked or deformed) 5. Rear brake shoe clearance (not adjusted) 6. Pad or shoe (greasy) 7. Pad or shoe (glazed) 8. Disc (scored) 9. Brake booster system (vacuum leaks)	Repair Bleed Replace Replace Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace
Brake noise	1. Lining or pad (cracked or deformed) 2. Mounting bolt (loose) 3. Disc (scored) 4. Sliding pin (worn) 5. Pad or shoe (dirty) 6. Pad or shoe (glazed) 7. Anchor or return spring (malfunction) 8. Brake pad shim (damaged) 9. Pad retaining spring (damaged)	Replace Adjust Replace Replace Clean Replace Replace Replace Replace
Brake fading	1. Pad or Lining (Worn) 2. Master Cylinder (Malfunction)	Replace Replace
Brake Vibration, Pulsation	1. Brake booster (vacuum leak) 2. Brake pedal free play 3. Master cylinder (malfunction) 4. Caliper (damage) 5. Master cylinder cap seal 6. Brake lines damaged.	Replace Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace