Step 
 | Action 
 | Yes 
 | No 
 | 
DEFINITION: Brake pedal requires an increased amount of input from the driver to obtain good braking action and/or stopping distance is increased. 
 | 
1 
 | Were you sent here from the Hydraulic Brake Symptom table? 
 | Go to 
Step 2
  
 | Go to 
Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic Brakes 
 | 
2 
 | 
- Inspect the brake assist system for the following conditions:
 
| •  | Vacuum leaks, if equipped with vacuum power assist |  
  
| •  | Power steering fluid leaks, if equipped with hydraulic power assist |  
  
| •  | Lack of lubrication, binding or excessively worn pushrod or pedal pivots or pivot bushings |  
  
| •  | Bent or damaged pedal pushrod, pedal, or pedal bracket |  
  
| •  | Damaged or improperly operating brake booster assembly |  
  
- Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to 
Brake Assist System Diagnosis
 .
 
 
Did you find and correct a condition? 
 | Go to 
Step 6
  
 | Go to 
Step 3
  
 | 
3 
 | 
- Inspect the hydraulic brake system for the following conditions:
 
| •  | Binding caliper pistons |  
  
| •  | Binding wheel cylinder pistons, if equipped |  
  
| •  | Internally damaged flexible brake hoses; hindering fluid flow |  
  
| •  | External brake fluid leaks |  
  
| •  | Kinked or damaged flexible brake hoses and/or pipes |  
  
| •  | Internal brake fluid leaks; improperly operating master cylinder |  
  
| •  | Poor brake fluid quality; low boiling point |  
  
- Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to 
Hydraulic Brake System Diagnosis
 .
 
 
Did you find and correct a condition? 
 | Go to 
Step 6
  
 | Go to 
Step 4
  
 | 
4 
 | 
- Inspect the disc brake system for the following conditions:
 
| •  | Excessively worn linings |  
  
| •  | Cracked, distorted or damaged linings |  
  
| •  | Binding, damaged or excessively worn caliper hardware and/or lining hardware |  
  
| •  | Lack of lubrication or excessive corrosion on metal to metal contact surfaces |  
  
| •  | Excessively worn or corroded rotor friction surfaces |  
  
| •  | Glazed rotor friction surfaces |  
  
| •  | Hard spots, heat checks, blueing discoloration of rotor friction surfaces |  
  
- Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to 
Disc Brake System Diagnosis
 .
 
 
Did you find and correct a condition? 
 | Go to 
Step 6
  
 | Go to 
Step 5
  
 | 
5 
 | 
- Inspect the drum brake system, if equipped, for the following conditions:
 
| •  | Excessively worn linings |  
  
| •  | Improper adjustment or improper adjuster operation |  
  
| •  | Cracked, distorted or damaged linings |  
  
| •  | Out of round or damaged drum |  
  
| •  | Bell-mouth or barrel-shaped drum friction surface |  
  
| •  | Hard spots, heat checks, blueing discoloration of drum friction surface |  
  
| •  | Lack of lubrication on backing plate |  
  
| •  | Excessive dust or foreign matter in drum |  
  
- Adjust, repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to 
Drum Brake System Diagnosis
.
 
 
Did you find and correct a condition? 
 | Go to 
Step 6
  
 | Go to 
Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic Brakes 
 | 
6 
 | 
- Install or connect components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis.
 
- Road test the vehicle in order to confirm proper operation. Refer to 
Brake System Vehicle Road Test
.
 
 
Is the condition still present? 
 | Go to 
Step 2
  
 | System OK 
 |