Step
| Action
| Yes
| No
|
DEFINITION: This diagnostic
table is designed to diagnose ONLY the components of the HYDRAULIC brake system
in order to determine if the Hydraulic brake system is operating properly.
You will be directed by the appropriate Symptom table to go to other brake
system diagnostic tables as appropriate.
|
1
| Were you sent here from a Brake Symptom table?
| Go to
Step 2
| Go to
Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic Brakes
|
2
| Inspect and adjust the brake fluid level in the brake master
cylinder. Refer to
Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling
.
Was the brake fluid level low?
| Go to
Step 3
| Go to
Step 4
|
3
|
- Inspect the brake fluid for the following conditions, indicating
brake fluid contamination:
| • | Fluid separation -- indicating two types of fluid are present |
| - | Swirled appearance - oil-based substance |
| - | Layered appearance - silicone-based substance |
| - | Cloudy appearance - moisture |
| - | Dark appearance/suspended particles in fluid - dirt, rust, corrosion,
brake dust |
- Inspect the master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm and the reservoir-to-master
cylinder grommets for swelling, indicating fluid contamination.
Do any of the above conditions exist?
| Go to
Step 5
| Go to
Step 6
|
4
|
- Inspect the brake fluid for the following conditions, indicating
brake fluid contamination:
| • | Fluid separation -- indicating two types of fluid are present |
| - | Swirled appearance - oil-based substance |
| - | Layered appearance - silicone-based substance |
| - | Cloudy appearance - moisture |
| - | Dark appearance/ suspended particles in fluid - dirt, rust, corrosion,
brake dust |
- Inspect the master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm and the reservoir-to-master
cylinder grommets for swelling, indicating fluid contamination.
Do any of the above conditions exist?
| Go to
Step 5
| Go to
Step 12
|
5
|
- Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to
Hydraulic Brake System Flushing
.
- If the brake fluid WAS contaminated with an oil-based or a silicone-based
fluid -- indicated by fluid separation and/or a swollen master cylinder
reservoir cap diaphragm and/or swollen reservoir-to-master cylinder grommets
-- perform the following steps. Refer to the procedures indicated.
| 2.1. | Remove ALL of the following components listed. Each component
contains internal rubber seals/linings which have been contaminated. |
| 2.2. | Clean out the hydraulic brake pipes using denatured alcohol, or
equivalent. |
| 2.3. | Dry the brake pipes using non-lubricated, filtered air. |
| 2.4. | Repair or replace ALL of the following components listed. Each
component contains internal rubber seals/linings which have been contaminated. |
| • | Brake master cylinder reservoir: Clean the brake master cylinder
reservoir using denatured alcohol, or equivalent, then dry the reservoir
using non-lubricated, filtered air, or if necessary, replace the brake master
cylinder reservoir. |
| • | Replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm. |
- If the brake fluid was NOT contaminated with an oil-based fluid,
but WAS contaminated with water or dirt, rust, corrosion, and/or brake dust,
replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm which may
have allowed moisture or dirt to enter the system.
- Refill and bleed the hydraulic brake system. Refer to
Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding
.
Did you complete the operation and any required repairs and/or replacements?
| Go to
Step 9
| --
|
6
|
- Inspect the following hydraulic brake system components for external
fluid leaks. Repair or replace any of the components found to be leaking brake
fluid. Refer to the appropriate procedures:
| • | Brake master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm |
- If you repaired or replaced any of the brake system components
listed, bleed the hydraulic brake system. Refer to
Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding
. While bleeding the hydraulic
brake system, observe for the following conditions:
| • | The presence of air in the system at a bleeder valve location
other than at the repair location -- except if the brake master cylinder
was replaced |
| • | An unrestricted and even flow of brake fluid per axle --
during the bleeding procedure |
Did you find and correct a condition?
| Go to
Step 7
| Go to
Step 12
|
7
| Was there air in the system at a bleeder valve location other than at
the repair location -- except if the brake master cylinder was replaced?
| Go to
Step 19
| Go to
Step 8
|
8
| Was the flow of brake fluid unrestricted
and even per axle during the bleeding procedure?
| Go to
Step 9
| Go to
Step 10
|
9
| Inspect the hydraulic function of the brake calipers for proper operation.
Refer to
Hydraulic Brake Component Operation Visual Inspection
.
Was the hydraulic function of the brake calipers operating properly?
| Go to
Step 21
| Go to
Step 14
|
10
| Was the flow of brake
fluid restricted or uneven through front axle hydraulic components during
the bleeding procedure?
| Go to
Step 13
| Go to
Step 11
|
11
| Was the flow of brake fluid restricted
or uneven through rear axle hydraulic components during the bleeding procedure?
| Go to
Step 17
| --
|
12
| Inspect the hydraulic function
of the brake calipers for proper operation. Refer to
Hydraulic Brake Component Operation Visual Inspection
.
Was the hydraulic function of the brake calipers operating properly?
| Go to
Step 15
| Go to
Step 13
|
13
| Determine if the brake
caliper is restricting the flow of brake fluid and/or not operating properly:
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the appropriate tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires
and Wheels.
- To inspect a front brake caliper, perform the following steps:
| 3.1. | Open the suspected caliper bleeder valve. |
| 3.2. | Using a large C-clamp, compress the caliper piston and observe
for an unrestricted flow of brake fluid and for free movement of the caliper
piston. |
| 3.3. | Close the caliper bleeder valve. |
- To inspect a rear brake caliper, perform the following steps:
| 4.1. | Open the suspected caliper bleeder valve. |
| 4.2. | Using a screwdriver, or other suitable prying tool placed between
the brake rotor and a brake pad, gently compress one of the pistons into its
caliper bore and observe for an unrestricted flow of brake fluid and for free
movement of the caliper piston. |
| 4.3. | While maintaining steady pressure on the piston, close the caliper
bleeder valve. |
| 4.4. | Pump the brake pedal 2-3 times to engage the pads
to the rotors. |
| 4.5. | Open the caliper bleeder valve. |
| 4.6. | Using a screwdriver, or other suitable prying tool placed between
the brake rotor and the opposite brake pad, gently compress the piston into
its caliper bore and observe for an unrestricted flow of brake fluid and for
free movement of the caliper piston. |
| 4.7. | While maintaining steady pressure on the piston, close the caliper
bleeder valve. |
Was the flow of brake fluid unrestricted and did the caliper piston
move freely?
| Go to
Step 17
| Go to
Step 14
|
14
| Repair or replace any brake caliper that was not operating
properly. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
Did you complete the repair and/or replacement?
| Go to
Step 21
| --
|
15
| Bleed the hydraulic brake system to observe for the presence
of air in the system and to observe for an unrestricted and even flow of
brake fluid per axle, during the bleeding procedure. Refer to
Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding
.
Was there air in the system?
| Go to
Step 19
| Go to
Step 16
|
16
| Was the flow of brake fluid unrestricted
and even per axle during the bleeding procedure?
| Go to
Step 21
| Go to
Step 17
|
17
|
- Inspect the hydraulic brake pipes and flexible brake hoses for
signs of a fluid restriction; such as being bent, kinked, pinched or damaged.
Refer to
Brake Pipe and Hose Inspection
.
- Replace any of the hydraulic brake pipes and/or flexible brake
hoses found to be bent, kinked, pinched or damaged. Refer to the following
procedures as necessary:
- If none of the hydraulic brake pipes or flexible brake hoses were
visibly bent, kinked, pinched or damaged, replace the hydraulic brake flex
hose at the restricted location.
Did you find and correct a condition?
| Go to
Step 21
| Go to
Step 18
|
18
| Replace the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV), in order to correct
the hydraulic brake dynamic rear proportioning mechanical operation. Refer
to
Brake Pressure Modulator Valve Replacement
in Antilock Brake System.
Did you complete the replacement?
| Go to
Step 21
| --
|
19
|
- Inspect the hydraulic brake system components for brake fluid
seepage at a seal and/or fitting location, which may have drawn air into the
system.
- Inspect the hydraulic brake system components for evidence of
a recent repair, which may have introduced air into the system.
- Repair or replace any of the components found to be installed
incorrectly or seeping brake fluid.
Did you find and correct a condition?
| Go to
Step 21
| Go to
Step 20
|
20
|
- Inspect the brake master cylinder for internal fluid leaks. Refer
to
Brake System Internal Leak Test
.
- Repair or replace the brake master cylinder if it is found to
be leaking brake fluid internally. Refer to
Master Cylinder Overhaul
or
Master Cylinder Replacement
.
Did you find and correct a condition?
| Go to
Step 21
| Return to Symptom Table
|
21
| Install or connect components that were removed or disconnected
during diagnosis.
Did you complete the operation?
| Hydraulic Brake System OK
Return to Symptom Table
| --
|
