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Disc Brake System Testing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Cadillac Eldorado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Were you sent here from a Brake Symptom table? If so, go to next step. If not, go to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - HYDRAULIC BRAKES  .
  2. Visually inspect the disc brake pads for the following conditions: See BRAKE PAD INSPECTION  in DISC BRAKE SYSTEM under TROUBLE SHOOTING
    • Lining thickness below specifications.
    • Uneven and/or abnormal wear - edge-to-edge and/or side-to-side.
    • Evidence of contamination from an external substance.
    • Looseness or damage - including pad hardware.
    Did you find any conditions to indicate a concern with any of the front and/or rear disc brake pads? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  12 .
  3. Are any of the front and/or rear disc brake pads contaminated? If so, go to step  8 . If not, go to next step.
  4. Are any of the front and/or rear disc brake pads worn unevenly? If so, go to step  7 . If not, go to next step.
  5. Are any of the front and/or rear disc brake pads and/or pad hardware loose or damaged? If so, go to step  7 . If not, go to next step.
    1. Remove and inspect the worn disc brake pads for glazing, looseness, heat spots or damage.
    2. Replace the worn disc brake pads as a complete axle set. See BRAKE PADS - FRONT  and/or BRAKE PADS - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    After completing the inspection and replacement, go to step  12 .
    1. Remove the front and/or rear disc brake calipers, as appropriate, from the mounting brackets and support the calipers. DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flex hoses from the calipers. See BRAKE CALIPER - FRONT  and/or BRAKE CALIPER - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    2. Inspect the disc brake caliper mounting bracket and the mounting/sliding hardware for the following conditions: See BRAKE MOUNTING & HARDWARE - FRONT  and/or BRAKE MOUNTING & HARDWARE - REAR  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.
      • Loose, bent, cracked, or damaged caliper mounting bracket.
      • Binding or seized hardware.
      • Worn, damaged or missing hardware components.
    3. Replace components as required. Refer to the following procedures, as required:
    4. Replace the unevenly-worn, loose or damaged disc brake pads as a complete axle set. See BRAKE PADS - FRONT  and/or BRAKE PADS - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    After completing the inspection and replacement, go to step  12 .
    1. Inspect the disc brake calipers, brake hoses and brake pipes for evidence of an external brake fluid leak.
    2. Replace any components found to be leaking brake fluid. Refer to the following procedures as required:
    Did you find and correct the source of the leak causing contamination of the pads? If so, go to step  11 . If not, go to next step.
    1. Inspect the wheel drive shaft outer seals for damage and evidence of a grease leak.
    2. Replace any wheel drive shaft seal that is found to be leaking grease which may be the source of the contamination to the pads. See appropriate AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVELINES/AXLES.
    Did you find and correct the source of the leak causing contamination of the pads? If so, go to step  11 . If not, go to next step.
    1. Inspect the following systems for damage and evidence of an external fluid leak.
    2. Replace any components found to be leaking fluid which may be the source of the contamination to the pads. Refer to the following procedures:
      • See appropriate POWER RACK & PINION article in STEERING.
      • See appropriate ENGINE MECHANICAL article in ENGINES.
      • See appropriate AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICING article in TRANSAXLES/TRANSMISSIONS.
    Did you find and correct the source of the leak causing contamination of the pads? If so, go to next step.
    1. Clean the remaining disc brake system components to remove any traces of the contaminant.
    2. Remove the front and/or rear disc brake calipers, as appropriate, from the mounting brackets and support the calipers. DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flex hoses from the calipers. See BRAKE CALIPER - FRONT  and/or BRAKE CALIPER - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    3. Inspect the disc brake caliper mounting/sliding hardware for the following conditions:
      • Binding or seized hardware.
      • Distorted, worn, damaged or missing hardware components.
      See BRAKE MOUNTING & HARDWARE - FRONT  and/or BRAKE MOUNTING & HARDWARE - REAR  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.
    4. Replace the caliper mounting/sliding hardware components as required. See DISC BRAKE HARDWARE - FRONT  and/or DISC BRAKE HARDWARE - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    5. Replace the contaminated disc brake pads as a complete axle set. See BRAKE PADS - FRONT  and/or BRAKE PADS - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    After completing the cleaning, inspection and replacement, go to next step.
  12. Visually inspect each of the rear disc brake rotor shields/backing plates for evidence of contact with the brake rotors. Are any of the rear brake rotor shields/backing plates contacting the brake rotors? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  14 .
  13. Repair or replace the rear disc brake rotor shields/backing plates as required. See appropriate REAR article in SUSPENSION. After completing the repair or replacement, go to next step.
    1. Check the thickness of each of the disc brake rotors.
    2. Make a determination for each brake rotor if the rotor can be refinished and remain above the minimum requirements.
    See BRAKE ROTOR THICKNESS  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Does the disc brake rotor meet the minimum requirements for refinishing? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  17 .
    1. Inspect each of the disc brake rotors for the following surface and wear conditions: See BRAKE ROTOR SURFACE & WEAR  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.

      Braking Surface Conditions

      • Heavy rust and/or pitting.
      • Cracks and/or heat spots.
      • Excessive blueing discoloration.

      Braking Surface Wear Conditions

      • Deep or excessive scoring beyond maximum acceptable level.
      • Lateral runout beyond maximum acceptable level.
      • Thickness variation beyond maximum acceptable level.
    2. Make a determination for each brake rotor if the rotor requires refinishing based upon the results of the inspection. If the brake rotor exhibits any of the following conditions, it requires refinishing.
      • Rotor exhibits one or more of the Braking Surface Conditions listed previously.
      • Rotor is beyond the acceptable level in one or more of the Braking Surface Wear Conditions listed previously.
    Does the brake rotor require refinishing? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  20 .
    1. Refinish the brake rotor. See BRAKE ROTOR REFINISHING  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    2. Inspect the brake rotor thickness. See BRAKE ROTOR THICKNESS  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.
    Were you able to refinish the brake rotor within the minimum requirements? If so, go to step  20 . If not, go to step  19 .
  17. Is the brake rotor at or below the DISCARD requirements? If so, go to step  19 . If not, go to next step.
    1. Inspect each of the disc brake rotors for the following surface and wear conditions: See BRAKE ROTOR SURFACE & WEAR  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.

      Braking Surface Conditions

      • Heavy rust and/or pitting.
      • Cracks and/or heat spots.
      • Excessive blueing discoloration.

      Braking Surface Wear Conditions

      • Deep or excessive scoring beyond maximum acceptable level.
      • Lateral runout beyond maximum acceptable level.
      • Thickness variation beyond maximum acceptable level.
    2. Make a determination for each brake rotor if the rotor requires replacement based upon the results of the inspection. If a brake rotor exhibits any of the following conditions, it requires replacement.
      • Rotor exhibits one or more of the Braking Surface Conditions listed previously.
      • Rotor is beyond the acceptable level in one or more of the Braking Surface Wear Conditions listed previously.
    Does the brake rotor require REPLACEMENT? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  20 .
  19. Replace the brake rotor. See BRAKE ROTOR - FRONT  and/or BRAKE ROTOR - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
  20. Install or connect components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. After completing the operation, the system should be okay.
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