GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

2

Inspect the vehicle for overloading. Refer to Loading Your Vehicle in the Vehicle Owner's Manual.

Is there excessive weight in the vehicle?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Remove the extra weight from the vehicle.

Does the original condition still exist?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

4

Inspect the brake pedal assembly for the following conditions:

    • Bent or misaligned components
    • Binding or interference between the pedal and the booster input rod
    • Interference with other components

Are the components misaligned or binding?

--

Go to Step 5

Go Step 6

5

Repair or replace the cause of the misalignment.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

6

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

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

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

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

Replace the brake linings. Refer to the following procedures:

    •  Front Disc Brake Pads Replacement in Disc Brakes
    •  Rear Disc Brake Pads Replacement in Disc Brakes
    •  Brake Shoe Replacement in Drum Brakes

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

8

Inspect the brake rotors for the following conditions:

    • Hot spots
    • Scored rotor surface

Refer to Brake Rotor Lateral Runout Check in Disc Brakes.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

  1. Refinish the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Refinishing in Disc Brakes.
  2. If refinishing the brake rotor results in a thickness that is less than the thinnest (Refinishing) thickness, replace the rotor. Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement or Rear Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

10

Inspect the vehicle brake booster for the following:

    • Leaks
    • Damage
    • Restricted passages

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

11

Repair or replace the brake booster. Refer to Power Vacuum Brake Booster Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

12

Inspect the vehicle for a leaking master cylinder (internal). Refer to Master Cylinder Diagnosis .

Is the master cylinder leaking?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 14

13

Overhaul or replace the master cylinder. Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

14

Inspect for leaking brake pipes, hoses, or connections. Refer to Brake Fluid Leak .

Are any of the above components leaking?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 16

15

Repair the cause of the leak.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

16

Inspect the brake pipes and hoses for the following conditions:

    • Low fluid or no fluid output
    • Spurting of fluid while pressing the brake pedal
    • Particles suspended in the fluid

Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 18

17

  1. Determine the area of the restriction. This will involve the disassembly of the individual brake lines and checking for low or no fluid output.
  2. Flush the individual brake pipe or hose. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .
  3. If the restriction cannot be removed, replace the brake hose or pipe. Refer to the following procedures:
  4. Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check

--

18

Verify the proper brake system operation.

Does the original condition still exist?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK