Troubleshooting

Symptom Table

Use the table below to find the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate the priority of the likely cause of the problem. Check each part in order. If necessary, replace these parts.

Symptom	Suspect area	Reference
Pedal sinks 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 (Insufficient) 2. Parking Brake Lever Stroke (Not Adjusted) 3. Parking Brake Cable (Seized) 4. Rear Brake Shoe Clearance (Not Adjusted) 5. Lining or Pad (Cracked or Deformed) 6. Piston (Stuck) 7. Piston (Frozen) 8. Anchor or Shoe (Malfunctioning) 9. Power Assist System (Vacuum Leaks) 10. Master Cylinder (Malfunctioning)	Adjust Adjust Repair Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace Repair 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 Air Replace Replace Adjust Adjust Replace Replace Repair
Brake noise	1. Pad or Lining (cracks or deformation) 2. Mounting Bolt (loose) 3. Disc (scored) 4. Sliding Pin (worn) 5. Backing Plate or Shoe (dirty) 6. Backing Plate or Shoe (glazed) 7. Anchor or Shoe (faulty) 8. Brake Pad Shim (damaged) 9. Pad 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. 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
Brake Judder	Brake vibration is usually caused by loose or worn components, or glazed or burnt pads. Rotors with hard spots may also contribute to brake judder. Other causes of vibration include rotors out of tolerance, brake pads improperly attached to the shoes, loose wheel bearings, and contamination of the brake pad friction surface.