For 1990-2009 cars

Complaint/Condition | Possible Cause(s) | Correction(s)
--- | --- | ---
Pedal Feel
Excessive Pedal Travel | Air in brake system. | Bleed brake system.
Front or rear brakes not adjusting to lining wear. | Check adjuster mechanism and replace or repair as needed.
Excessive brake system heat. | Refer to "Brakes Drag."
Excessive wheel bearing end play. | Replace wheel bearing.
Excessive wheel hub runout. | Replace wheel hub.
Caliper not sliding freely. | Repair or replace caliper/mounting pins.
Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper piston seal. | Replace wheel cylinder or overhaul caliper.
Leak at brake pipe or hose connections. | Tighten connection. Replace pipe or hose.
Internal master cylinder seal leak. | Overhaul or replace master cylinder.
Uneven lining wear or damaged lining. | Replace linings.
Rotor or drum out of specifications (e.g. rotor thickness variation, lateral runout, etc.). | Refinish or replace rotor or drum.
Improper vacuum booster to master cylinder pushrod length. | Adjust pushrod length.
Pedal Creeps Down | Internal master cylinder seal leak or damaged master cylinder bore. | Replace master cylinder.
Leaking wheel cylinder or caliper piston seal. | Replace wheel cylinder or overhaul caliper.
Leak at brake pipe or hose connections. | Tighten connection. Replace pipe or hose.
Pedal Pulses | Excessive brake system heat. | Refer to "Brakes Drag."
Rotor or drum out of specifications (e.g. lateral runout, parallelism, out of round, etc.). | Replace or refinish rotor or drum.
Excessive front hub lateral runout. | Replace front hub.
Worn out linings or linings wearing unevenly. | Replace linings.
Wheel bearings worn. | Replace wheel bearing.
Damaged suspension, knuckle or axle. | Replace damaged parts.
Excessive Pedal Effort | Low vacuum to booster. | Check and repair engine vacuum, booster check valve or hose.
| Leaking or damaged vacuum booster (e.g. cut diaphragm, cracked power piston, restricted air passages). | Replace booster.
| Worn out brake linings (glazed). | Replace linings.
| Damage to braking surface of rotor or drum. | Replace rotor or drum.
| Crimped brake pipe or collapsed brake hose. | Replace pipe or hose.
Noise
Squeal/Scrape While Not Braking | Worn linings, sensor scraping on rotor (normal). | Replace linings.
Loose drum brake component (spring, lever, adjuster, etc.). | Check drum brake and repair.
Loose front suspension attachments. | Tighten attachments or replace.
Caliper interference with rotor. | Check clearance and repair.
Bent or cracked suspension parts. | Replace components.
Drum or rotor contacting backing plate or dust shield. | Check clearance and repair.
Squeal/Scrape While Braking | Worn linings, sensor scraping on rotor (normal). | Replace linings.
Linings worn out, shoe contacting drum or rotor. | Replace linings.
Lack of lubrication on backing plate or on adjuster screw. | Lubricate backing plate or adjuster screw.
Lack of lubrication on caliper sliding surfaces. | Lubricate.
Lack of lubrication on brake pedal attachments. | Lubricate.
Damage to insulator between disc brake shoe and caliper piston. | Replace shoe and linings as needed.
Hot spots or worn surface on drum or rotor. | Replace rotor or drum.
Weak hold down springs or worn drum brake components. | Replace drum brake springs.
Chatters/Rattles | Hot spots or worn surface on drum or rotor. | Replace drum or rotor.
Rotor or drum out of specifications (e.g. lateral runout, parallelism, out of round, etc.). | Replace or refinish rotor or drum.
Lining contaminated with foreign substances. | Replace linings.
Linings wearing unevenly. | Replace linings.
Bent or loose brake shoes. | Replace shoes and linings.
Weak or broken retractor springs. | Replace drum brake springs.
Loose brake cable, brake pipe, or ABS wiring. | Check cable or pipe connection and tighten or replace as needed.
Groans (at Near Stop) | Linings worn out. | Replace linings.
Incorrect or damaged lining material. | Replace linings.
Hot spots or worn surface on drum or rotor. | Replace drum or rotor.
Cracked or bent knuckle or suspension parts. | Replace suspension component.
Loose suspension. | Tighten suspension or replace.
Performance
Brake Pull Left/Right | Caliper pistons sticking. | Overhaul caliper and replace piston.
Loose wheel bearings or suspension attachments. | Replace wheel bearings or tighten suspension attachments.
Worn suspension components. | Replace suspension components.
Loose steering or steering gear. | Repair or replace steering components.
Uneven wear on tires, tires not properly inflated or incorrect tires for vehicle. | Check tires and replace if necessary.
Uneven worn linings. | Replace linings.
Front suspension out of alignment. | Align suspension.
Restricted brake pipe or hose. | Replace pipe or hose.
Brakes Grab | Contaminated brake linings. | Replace linings.
Damage to braking surface of rotors or drums. | Replace rotors or drums.
Rotor or drum out of specifications (e.g. lateral runout, parallelism, out of round, etc.). | Replace or refinish rotor or drum.
Damaged vacuum booster. | Replace booster.
Brakes Drag | Caliper pistons stuck. | Overhaul caliper and replace piston.
Corroded caliper bolts. Caliper will not retract. | Replace bolts and bolt boots.
Compensating port or bypass hole in master cylinder clogged. | Replace master cylinder.
Worn or damaged drum brake return springs. | Replace drum brake springs.
Contaminated or improper brake fluid, rubber seals are swollen. | Flush brake system and replace all rubber parts including hoses.
Parking brake not releasing. | Check parking brake adjustment and cables.
Self-adjusters over adjusting for lining wear. | Overhaul or replace adjusters.
Improper vacuum booster push rod length. | Adjust push rod length.
Brake Action Uneven (Front - Rear) | Uneven wear on tires, tires improperly inflated or incorrect tires installed. | Check tires and replace if needed.
Proportioning valve not functioning properly. | Replace proportioning valve.
Linings wearing unevenly front to rear. | Replace linings.
Fluid leak in system. | Check system for leaks and repair or replace components.
Hot spots or worn surface on drum or rotor. | Replace drum or rotor.
Brakes Slow to Release | Caliper piston sticking. | Overhaul caliper and replace piston.
Corroded caliper bolts. Caliper will not retract. | Replace bolts and bolt boots.
Contaminated or improper brake fluid, rubber seals are swollen. | Flush brake system and replace all rubber parts including hoses.
Worn caliper piston seals. | Overhaul calipers.
Worn or damaged drum brake return springs. | Replace drum brake springs.
Worn or damaged master cylinder seals. | Replace master cylinder.
Damage to mechanical action of brake pedal. | Check pedal and repair or replace.
Slow Response/Excessive Stopping Distance | Improper rotor surface finish. | Refinish or replace rotor.
Linings not adjusting properly, damaged self-adjusters or worn piston seal. | Overhaul drum brake or caliper.
Caliper pistons sticking. | Overhaul caliper and replace piston.
Worn or glazed linings. | Replace linings.
Proportioning valve not functioning properly. | Replace proportioning valve.
Odor | Linings over heated. | Refer to "Brakes Drag."
Lining contaminated with foreign substances. | Replace lining.
Poor Fuel Economy | Linings over-heated. | Refer to "Brakes Drag."
Telltale Lamps
Red Brake Warning Lamp On | Park brake on. | Release park brake.
Low brake fluid level in master cylinder (check for leaks). | Fill reservoir. Check for leaks.
Improperly adjusted park brake switch. | Check park brake switch connection and adjustment.
Damaged park brake switch or switch circuit. | Replace switch or repair circuit.
Damaged low brake fluid switch or switch circuit. | Replace switch or repair circuit.
ABS System. | Refer to ABS diagnosis.
Amber (ABS) Telltale Lamp On | ABS System. | Refer to ABS diagnosis.
Parking Brake
Does Not Hold | Park brake not adjusted properly. | Adjust park brake.
Brakes not adjusting properly. | Check brake adjusters and repair or replace as needed.
Linings worn out. | Replace linings.
Linings contaminated with foreign material. | Replace linings.
Cable disconnected from lever. | Connect cable.
Lever bent or loose. | Replace lever.
Does Not Release | Park brake cables binding. | Check cable and cable attachments.
Release lever broken or binding. | Replace park brake lever.
Parking Brake Lever Hard to Apply | Lack of lubrication on apply mechanism. | Lubricate apply mechanism.
Park brake cables binding. | Check cables and cable attachments.