Sign/Cause
The brake pedal is spongy
- Air in the hydraulic system
- The master cylinder is faulty
- The flexible hose is loose
Excessive pedal travel
- Incorrect pedal adjustment
- The brake caliper is faulty, sticking or seized (disc brakes)
- The automatic clearance adjustment device stand is faulty (drum brakes)
- The master cylinder is faulty
- Air in the hydraulic system
- Failure in the primary or secondary circuit
- Worn or improperly adjusted hub bearings
- The brake disc or drum is warped or worn out
The pedal sinks to the floor when pressed
- Brake fluid leak - first check the caliper or piston seals of the wheel brake cylinder
- Leaking cuff and/or master cylinder piston seals
Excessive pressure on the pedal is required to stop the car
- Vacuum hose leaking or disconnected
- The check valve is faulty
- The vacuum booster is faulty
- Partially seized caliper or wheel cylinder
- Brake caliper guide pins are seized or worn
- Brake pad or shoe friction material is polished, worn or contaminated
- New brake pad or friction material not fully adjusted
- Failure in the primary or secondary circuit
The car pulls to one side when braking
- Brake pad or shoe friction material contaminated with oil (on the opposite side)
- Partially seized caliper or wheel cylinder (on the opposite side)
- The brake disc or drum is warped or worn out
- Automatic clearance adjustment device stand is seized (drum brakes)
- The brakes are adjusted on one side only
- Damaged tires - wrong type, incorrect pressure, or excessive wear on one side
- Steering or suspension fault (see Section 10)
Rear wheel locking when braking
- The pedal pressure is greater than required
- Adverse road conditions
- Tires are incorrectly inflated or severely worn
- Front brakes are ineffective or rear brakes are grabbing
- The pressure reducing valve is faulty (early models) or master cylinder (late models)
Brake grab
- Brake pad or shoe friction material is wet - brake gently until dry
- Brake pad or shoe friction material is worn out
- The brake disc or drum is warped, cracked or worn out
- Brake components are loose
- Worn or improperly adjusted hub bearings
Intense vibration felt through the brake pedal or steering wheel when braking
- The brake disc or drum is warped, cracked or worn, especially the front one
- Warped hubs, or worn or improperly adjusted hub bearings
- Brake pad or shoe friction material is worn or contaminated
- Brake caliper guide pins are worn out
- Brake components are loose
- Steering or suspension fault (see Section 10)
- Wheel beating or vibration (see Section 10)
Squealing or noise when braking
- The brake pad or friction material is polished
- Lots of brake dust in the brake assembly
- Foreign object is trapped between the brake pads and the disc
Brakes are binding or dragging
- Partially seized caliper or wheel cylinder
- The handbrake is not adjusted correctly
- The handbrake cable or actuator is seized
- The breather on the master cylinder reservoir cap is blocked
- The master cylinder is faulty
- The metal tube or flexible hose is pinched or blocked
- Air in the hydraulic system
Note: This chapter does not provide comprehensive troubleshooting information, but describes more common damage that may be encountered during the life of the vehicle. Consult your dealer for more specific advice.