GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

DEFINITION: Brake pedal requires an increased amount of input from the driver to obtain good braking action and/or stopping distance is increased.

1

Were you sent here from the Hydraulic Brake Symptom table?

Go to Step 2

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2

  1. Inspect the brake assist system for the following conditions:
  2. • Vacuum leaks, if equipped with vacuum power assist
    • Power steering fluid leaks, if equipped with hydraulic power assist
    • Lack of lubrication, binding or excessively worn pushrod or pedal pivots or pivot bushings
    • Bent or damaged pedal pushrod, pedal, or pedal bracket
    • Damaged or improperly operating brake booster assembly
  3. Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to Brake Assist System Diagnosis.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Inspect the hydraulic brake system for the following conditions:
  2. • Binding caliper pistons
    • Binding wheel cylinder pistons, if equipped
    • Internally damaged flexible brake hoses; hindering fluid flow
    • External brake fluid leaks
    • Kinked or damaged flexible brake hoses and/or pipes
    • Internal brake fluid leaks; improperly operating master cylinder
    • Poor brake fluid quality; low boiling point
  3. Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Diagnosis.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Inspect the disc brake system for the following conditions:
  2. • Excessively worn linings
    • Glazed linings
    • Cracked, distorted or damaged linings
    • Contaminated linings
    • Binding, damaged or excessively worn caliper hardware and/or lining hardware
    • Lack of lubrication or excessive corrosion on metal to metal contact surfaces
    • Excessively worn or corroded rotor friction surfaces
    • Glazed rotor friction surfaces
    • Hard spots, heat checks, blueing discoloration of rotor friction surfaces
  3. Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to Disc Brake System Diagnosis.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Inspect the drum brake system, if equipped, for the following conditions:
  2. • Excessively worn linings
    • Improper adjustment or improper adjuster operation
    • Glazed linings
    • Cracked, distorted or damaged linings
    • Contaminated linings
    • Out of round or damaged drum
    • Bell-mouth or barrel-shaped drum friction surface
    • Hard spots, heat checks, blueing discoloration of drum friction surface
    • Lack of lubrication on backing plate
    • Excessive dust or foreign matter in drum
  3. Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to Drum Brake System Diagnosis.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 6

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6

  1. Install or connect components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis.
  2. Road test the vehicle in order to confirm proper operation. Refer to Brake System Vehicle Road Test.

Is the condition still present?

Go to Step 2

System OK