GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1999 🢒 Malibu 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Hydraulic Brakes 🢒 Brake System Slow Response

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

2

Inspect the hydraulic brake system for leaks.

Are there any leaks?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3
  1. Tighten the brake hose or pipe fittings. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications .
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Press the brake pedal several times.
  4. Turn OFF the engine.
  5. Inspect the hydraulic brake system for leaks.

Has the leak returned?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

4

Replace the brake hose or pipe as necessary. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement , Rear Brake Hose Replacement or ISO Flares Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

5

Inspect the disc brake pads and brake shoe linings for the following:

    • Excessive wear
    • Uneven wear
    • Abuse
    • Glazing
    • Contaminated lining material
    • Incorrect lining material

Refer to Brake Pad Inspection in Disc Brakes or Brake Shoe Replacement in Drum Brakes.

Do any of the above conditions exist?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

Replace the brake linings. Refer to Brake Pad Inspection in Disc Brakes or Brake Shoe Replacement in Drum Brakes.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

7

Inspect the following brake caliper assembly components for corrosion:

    • Mounting bolts
    • Guide pins
    • Steering knuckle
    • Brake caliper and bracket
    • Brake caliper pistons

Are any of the above components corroded or sticking?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8

Replace the corroded components. Refer to Brake Caliper Overhaul or Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

9

Inspect the brake assembly for loose, missing or broken components. Refer to Brake Pad Inspection in Disc Brakes or Brake Shoe Replacement in Drum Brakes.

Are there loose, missing or broken brake assembly components?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

Tighten or replace the components as necessary. Refer to Brake Pad Inspection in Disc Brakes or Brake Shoe Replacement in Drum Brakes.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

11
  1. Inspect the wheel cylinder for leakage.
  2. Inspect the wheel cylinder for binding.

Is the wheel cylinder leaking or binding?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

Overhaul or replace the wheel cylinder. Refer to Wheel Cylinder Overhaul or Wheel Cylinder Replacement in Disc Brakes.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

13
  1. Inspect the brake pedal assembly for bent or misaligned components.
  2. Inspect the brake pedal for interference (binding) between the pedal and the booster input rod.

Is the brake pedal binding?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 15

14

Disassemble and realign or replace components as necessary.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

15

Check the brake pedal for interference with other components. Inspect the brake pedal area for the following:

    • Loose or misaligned trim panels
    • Loose components, wiring harnesses or aftermarket devices

Are there any loose or interfering components?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 17

16

Realign or reposition components as necessary.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

17
    • Check for collapsed , dented, or bent brake pipes.
    • Check the brake hoses for sharp kinks.

Are the brake hoses or the brake pipes collapsed, bent, or kinked?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 19

18

Reroute or replace the brake hoses or pipes as necessary. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement , Rear Brake Hose Replacement or ISO Flares Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

19
  1. Remove the master cylinder reservoir cover.
  2. Rapidly apply the brake pedal 3 cm (1 in), observing the brake fluid in the reservoir.

Does the fluid surface in the forward reservoir show movement, or spouting?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

20
  1. Install the master cylinder reservoir cover.
  2. Loosen the master cylinder mounting nuts 13 mm (0.5 in).
  3. Separate the master cylinder from the vacuum brake booster.
  4. Apply the brake pedal 3 cm (1 in).

Does the booster output rod move?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 22

21

Replace the master cylinder. Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

22

Replace the vacuum brake booster. Refer to Power Vacuum Brake Booster Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

23
  1. Remove the master cylinder reservoir cover.
  2. Inspect the brake fluid for contamination.

Is the brake fluid contaminated?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 25

24
  1. Replace all rubber brake system components. Refer to the following procedures:
    2. •  Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes
    •  Wheel Cylinder Overhaul in Drum Brakes
  2. Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

25

Check the master cylinder outlet ports for restricted passages. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding .

Are the outlet ports restricted?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 27

26
  1. Replace the master cylinder. Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement .
  2. Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

27

Check the brake pipes and the brake hoses for restricted passages. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Check for the following:

    • low fluid or no fluid output
    • spurting of fluid while pressing the brake pedal
    • particles suspended in the fluid

Do any of the above conditions exist?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 29

28
  1. Determine the area of the restriction. This will involve the disassembly of individual brake lines and checking for low fluid output.
  2. Flush the individual brake line or the brake hose.
  3. If the restriction cannot be removed, replace the brake hose or the brake pipe as necessary. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement , Rear Brake Hose Replacement or ISO Flares Replacement .
  4. Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

29

Verify proper brake system operation.

Does the original condition still exist?

--

Go to Step 1

System OK