Brakes and Traction Control: Testing and Inspection

BRAKE SYSTEM TEST

Brake Pedal Sinks/Fades When Braking

1. Start engine and let it warm to operating temperature.
2. Attach a 2-inch piece of masking tape along the bottom of the steering wheel, and draw a horizontal referance mark across it.
3. With the transmission in neutral, press and hold the brake pedal lightly (about the same pressure needed to keep an A/T-equiped car from creeping), then release the parking brake.
4. While still holding the brake pedal, hook the end of the tape measure behind it. Then pull the tape up to the steering wheel, noting where the tape measure lines up with the referance mark you made on the masking tape.
5. Apply steady pressure to the brake pedal for 3 minutes.
6. Watch the tape measure.
- if it moves less then 10mm, the master cylinder is OK.
- if it moves more than 10mm replace the master cylinder.