GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1999 🢒 Grand Am 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Hydraulic Brakes 🢒 Brake System Slow Release

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 park brake lever for proper operation:

  1. Turn the ignition ON.
  2. Press the park brake pedal until it stops. Verify the brake warning lamp is ON.
  3. Pull the park brake release lever. Verify the brake warning lamp is OFF.

Did the park brake warning lamp turn OFF and the pedal return to its original height?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3
  1. Inspect the park brake assembly for interference, binding or for broken components.
  2. Lubricate the park brake assembly.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

4
  1. Start the engine.
  2. Shift the vehicle into DRIVE.
  3. Attempt to move the vehicle by slowly pressing the accelerator pedal.

Does the engine rpm increase without the vehicle moving?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 7

5

Inspect the park brake cables for corrosion, kinks, or interference with other components.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

Realign or replace the park brake cable(s). Refer to Parking Brake Front Cable Replacement or Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement in Park Brake.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

7
  1. Remove the brake drum.
  2. Inspect the brake linings for the following conditions:
    3. • Excessive wear
    • Uneven wear
    • Abuse
    • Glazing
    • Contaminated lining material
    • Incorrect lining material

Refer to Brake Shoe Inspection in Drum

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8

Replace the brake shoe linings. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement in Drum Brakes.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

Inspect the brake shoe mounting hardware and springs for corrosion or binding.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

Replace the mounting hardware or springs as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

11

Inspect the park brake lever for corrosion and free movement without binding.

Does the park brake lever move freely without binding?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

Clean the park brake lever components and check for proper movement.

If the park brake lever still does not move freely, replace the park brake lever components.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

13

Inspect the disc brake caliper mounting bolts for corrosion. Refer to Brake Pad Inspection in Disc Brakes.

Are the mounting bolts corroded?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 15

14

Replace the mounting bolts as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

15
  1. Remove the caliper piston. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Overhaul or Rear Brake Caliper Overhaul in Disc Brakes.
  2. Inspect the caliper bore and the piston for the following conditions:
    3. • Scoring
    • Corrosion
    • Pitting

Is there damage to the piston or caliper bore?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 17

16

Replace the piston or the caliper as needed.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

17
  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 18

Go to Step 19

18
  1. Disassemble and realign or replace components as necessary.
  2. Replace the brake pedal. Refer to Brake Pedal Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

19

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

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

Are there any loose or interfering components?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

20

Realign or reposition components as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

21
    • Inspect for collapsed, dented, or bent brake pipes.
    • Inspect the brake hoses for sharp kinks.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 23

22

Reroute or replace the brake hoses or pipes as necessary. Refer to the following procedures:

    •  ISO Flares Replacement

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

23
  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 24

Go to Step 25

24
  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 27

Go to Step 26

25

Replace the master cylinder. Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

26

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

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check .

--

27
  1. Remove the master cylinder reservoir cover.
  2. Inspect the brake fluid for contamination.

Is the brake fluid contaminated?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 29

28
  1. Replace all of the 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 .

--

29

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

Are the outlet ports restricted?

--

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 31

30
  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 .

--

31

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

Check for the following conditions:

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

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 32

Go to Step 33

32
  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 .

--

33

Verify proper brake system operation.

Does the original condition still exist?

--

Go to Step 1

System OK