Brakes

General

1. The vehicles covered by this manual are equipped with hydraulically operated front and rear brake systems. The front brakes are disc-type and the rear brakes are either disc or drum type brakes.

Hydraulic system

2. The hydraulic system consists of two separate circuits. The master cylinder has separate reservoirs for the two circuits, and, in the event of a leak or failure in one hydraulic circuit, the other circuit will remain operative and a warning indicator will light up on the instrument panel when a substantial amount of brake fluid is lost, showing that a failure has occurred.

Power brake booster

3. The power brake booster uses engine manifold vacuum to provide assistance to the brakes. It is mounted on the firewall in the engine compartment, directly behind the master cylinder.

Parking brake

4. On models with rear disc brakes, control cables are routed to the rear axle, where they operate small drum brake shoes that apply pressure to the inner diameter of the rear brake discs. On models with drum brakes, the cables pull on levers that actuate the rear brake shoes.

Service

5. After completing any operation involving disassembly of any part of the brake system, always test drive the vehicle to check for proper braking performance before resuming normal driving. When testing the brakes, perform the tests on a clean, dry, flat surface. Conditions other than these can lead to inaccurate test results.

6. Test the brakes at various speeds with both light and heavy pedal pressure. The vehicle should stop evenly without pulling to one side or the other. Under hard braking, the ABS system may engage, resulting in brake pedal pulsation. This is considered normal operation.

7. Tires, vehicle load and wheel alignment are factors which also affect braking performance.

Precautions

8. There are some general cautions and warnings involving the brake system on this vehicle:

  1. ) Use only brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 specifications.
  2. ) The brake pads and linings contain fibers which are hazardous to your health if Whenever you work on brake system components, clean all parts with brake system cleaner. Do not allow the fine dust to become airborne. Also, wear an approved filtering mask.
  3. ) Safety should be paramount whenever any servicing of the brake components is performed. Do not use parts or fasteners which are not in perfect condition, and be sure that all clearances and torque specifications are adhered to. If you are at all unsure about a certain procedure, seek professional advice. Upon completion of any brake system work, test the brakes carefully in a controlled area before putting the vehicle into normal service. If a problem is suspected in the brake system, don’t drive the vehicle until it’s fixed.
  4. ) Used brake fluid is considered a hazardous waste and it must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local
  5. ) DO NOT pour it down the sink, into septic tanks or storm drains, or on the ground.
  6. ) Clean up any spilled brake fluid immediately and then wash the area with large amounts of water. This is especially true for any finished or painted surfaces.

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