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 tires for incorrect pressure.

Is the tire pressure incorrect?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Adjust the tires to the correct pressure. Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

4

Inspect the front suspension for loose components.

Are there loose components?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Tighten the loose components. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

6

Inspect the brake 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 6

Go to Step 7

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
    • Grooved rotor surface

Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement or Rear Brake Rotor Replacement 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 brake assembly for loose, broken or missing components.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

11

Tighten or replace loose or missing brake assembly components. 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 .

--

12

Inspect the following brake caliper assembly components for corrosion:

    • The mounting bolts
    • The guide pins
    • The steering knuckle
    • The Brake caliper and bracket
    • The brake caliper piston

Are any of the above components corroded or sticking?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 14

13

Replace the corroded components. Refer to the following procedures:

    •  Front Brake Caliper Overhaul in Disc Brakes
    •  Rear Brake Caliper Overhaul in Disc Brakes
    •  Front Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes
    •  Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

14

Inspect the park brake for improper adjustment.

Is the park brake adjusted improperly?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 16

15

Adjust or replace the park brake cable.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

16

Inspect the front suspension for incorrect alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Front Suspension.

Is the wheel alignment incorrect?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 18

17

Correct the front wheel alignment. Refer to Front Caster Adjustment in Front Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

18

Inspect for contaminated or improper brake fluid.

Is the brake fluid contaminated or improper?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 20

19

  1. Replace all rubber brake system components. Refer to the following procedures:
  2. Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

20

Inspect for a restricted brake fluid passage. Inspect 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 Bleeding .

Is there a restricted brake fluid passage?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 22

21

  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 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 .

--

22

Verify proper brake system operation.

Does the original condition still exist?

--

Go to Step 1

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