GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1999 🢒 Grand Am 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Hydraulic Brakes 🢒 Brake Pedal Excessive Effort

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 brake pedal assembly for the following conditions:

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

Are the components misaligned or binding?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Repair or replace the cause of misalignment, interference or binding.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

4

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 5

Go to Step 6

5

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 .

--

6

Inspect the brake rotor for the following conditions:

    • Hot spots
    • Scored rotor surface
    • Grooved rotor surface

Refer to Brake Rotor Lateral Runout Check in Disc Brakes.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7
  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 .

--

8

Inspect the vacuum brake booster for leaks.

Is the vacuum brake booster leaking?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

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

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

10

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

Are the outlet ports restricted?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

11
  1. Replace the master cylinder. Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement .
  2. Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

12

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 13

Go to Step 14

13
  1. Determine the area of the restriction. This will involve the disassembly of individual brake lines and checking for low or no fluid output.
  2. Flush the individual brake line or hose. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .
  3. If the restriction cannot be removed, replace the brake hose or pipe as necessary. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement or ISO Flares Replacement .
  4. Flush the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Flushing .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

14

Verify proper brake system operation.

Does the original condition still exist?

--

Verify customer complaint. Go to Step 1.

System OK