Component Tests and General Diagnostics

BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT INSPECTION

Power Brake Unit Inspection
1. Check the hydraulic brake system for leaks or insufficient fluid.
2. With the transmission in Neutral, stop the engine and apply the parking brake. Apply the brake pedal several times to exhaust all vacuum in the system.
3. Apply the brake pedal and hold it in the applied position.
4. Start the engine.
^ If the vacuum system is operating, the brake pedal will tend to move downward under constant foot pressure.
^ If no motion is felt, the power brake unit is not functioning. Continue the test with the following steps.
5. Remove the vacuum hose from check valve connection.
^ Manifold vacuum must be available at the check valve end of the vacuum booster hose with the engine at idle speed and the transmission in Neutral.
^ If the manifold vacuum is available to the power brake, connect the vacuum hose to the check valve.
6. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 above.
^ Check, and if no downward movement of the brake pedal is felt, replace the power brake unit.
7. Operate the engine a minimum of 10 seconds at fast idle.
8. Stop the engine, and let the vehicle stand for 10 minutes.
9. Apply the brake pedal with approximately 89 N (20 lbs.) of force. The brake pedal feel should be the same as that noted with the engine operating.
^ If the brake pedal feels hard (no power assist), replace the check valve and retest.
^ If the brake pedal feels spongy, bleed the hydraulic system to remove air.

Check Valve Inspection
The function of the check valve is to allow manifold vacuum to enter the power brake unit and prevent the escape of vacuum in case manifold vacuum is lost during sustained full throttle operation.
To check the check valve:
1. Start and run the engine for at least 10 seconds.
2. Operate the brake pedal to check for power assist.
3. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the power brake unit. Do not remove the check valve from the power brake unit.
^ There should be enough vacuum retained in the power brake unit for at least one more power assisted brake operation.

Brake Master Cylinder Inspection
Normal Conditions
The following conditions are considered normal and are not indications that the brake master cylinder is in need of service.

Condition 1: During normal operation of the brake master cylinder, the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir will rise during brake application and fall during release. The net fluid level (after brake application and release) will remain unchanged.

Condition 2: A trace of brake fluid will exist on the booster shell below the master cylinder mounting flange. This results from the normal lubricating action of the master cylinder bore and seal.

Condition 3: Fluid level will decrease with pad wear.

Abnormal Conditions
Changes in brake pedal feel or travel are indicators that something could be wrong in the brake system.

Bypass Condition Test
1. Disconnect the brake lines at the brake master cylinder.
2. Plug the outlet ports of the brake master cylinder.
3. Apply the brakes.
^ If brake pedal height cannot be maintained, the brake master cylinder has an internal leak and must be replaced.

Compensator Port Check
The purpose of the compensator ports in the brake master cylinder is to supply any additional brake fluid required by the system due to brake pad wear and to allow brake fluid returning from the brake lines to the brake master cylinder to enter the brake master cylinder reservoir.

The returning brake fluid will cause a slight turbulence in the brake master cylinder reservoir. Turbulence seen in the brake master cylinder reservoir upon release of the brake pedal is normal and shows that the compensating ports are not plugged.