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 Brake 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 (i.e. rotor thickness variation, lateral runout, etc.) | Refinish or replace rotor or drum.
Improper vacuum booster to master cylinder pushrod length | Replace booster and pushrod.
Pedal Creeps Down | Internal master cylinder seal leak or damaged master cylinder bore | Repair or 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 (i.e. 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 engine vacuum to booster | Check and repair engine vacuum, booster check valve or hose.
Leaking or damaged vacuum booster (i.e. 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 contacting backing plate | 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 (i.e. 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 bracket | 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 (i.e. lateral runout, parallelism, out of round, etc.) | Replace or refinish rotor or drum.
Damaged vacuum booster | Replace booster.
Brakes Drag | Incorrect stop lamp switch adjustment | Adjust stop lamp switch.
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 | Clean master cylinder and rebuild.
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 | Replace booster and push rod.
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. (Base brake only) | Replace master cylinder.
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.
Linings contaminated | Replace linings.
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 | Overhaul 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. (Base brake only) | Replace master cylinder.
Odor | Linings over heated | Refer to Brakes Drag.
Lining contaminated with foreign substances | Replace lining.
Poor Fuel Economy | Linings over heated | Refer to Brake Drag..
TELLTALE
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.
Antilock Brake System (ABS) problem | Refer to ABS diagnosis.
Amber (ABS) Telltale On (Solid/Flashing) | 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.