Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 404

SECTION 5
BRAKES
-
GENERAL
The following caution applies to one or more steps in the assembly proce-
dure of components in this portion of the manual as indicated at appropri-
ate locations by the terminology "See Caution on page 1 of this Section".
CAUTION: THIS FASTENER IS AN IMPORTANT A TTA CHING
PART IN THA T IT COULD AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF
VITAL COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS, AND/OR COULD RE-
SULT IN MAJOR REPAIR EXPENSE. IT MUST BE REPLACED
WITH ONE OF THE SAME PART NUMBER OR WITH A N
EQUIVALENT PART IF REPLACEMENT BECOMES NECES-
SAR Y. DO NOT USEA REPLACEMENTPAR T OFLESSER QUAL-
ITY OR SUBSTITUTE DESIGN TORQUE VALUES MUST BE
USED AS SPECIFIED DURING REASSEMBL Y TO ASSURE
PROPER RETENTION OF THIS PART.
CONTENTS OF THIS SECTION
Trouble Diagnosis and Testing
................................
5-1
Brake Noises
..............................................................
5-5
Brake Cautions
..........................................................
5-7
General Description
..................................................
5-7
....................................................................
Operation 5-9
Self Adjusting Brake Mechanism
............................
5-9
Hydraulic System
..................................................
5-10
Parking Brake
.......................................................
5-10
Service
.....................................................................
5- 11
................................................
Inspecting System 5-1 1
..........................................................
Brake Pedal 5-1 1
Brake Mechanisms and Drums
..........................
5- 15
....................................................
Hydraulic System 5-22
..................................................
Master Cylinder 5-23
........................................
Brake Hoses and Pipes 5-25
Brake Fluid Precautions
......................................
5-29
......................................................
Parking Brake 5-29
TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
TESTING FOR LEAK IN HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
NOTE: If
there is any evidence of air in system,
brakes must be bled before making this test.
not found, remove master cylinder, disassemble and
inspect parts. Leaks will usually be past primary pis-
ton cup due to porous or damaged cup or cylinder
bore.
1. Apply brakes manually, holding as steady a force as
NOTE: Linings should be replaced i f suitable
possible.
solvent will not adequately clean brake fluid
from linings.
2. If pedal sinks slowly toward floor, a leak is indicated.
Check for location of the leak by examining all lines,
Following is a list of common troubles occurring in the
connections and wheel cylinders. If external leak is
brake system with possible causes and remedies:
LOW PEDAL
CAUSE
Hydraulic System Failure.
REMEDY
Check master cylinder for empty reservoir. Check for
leak at master cylinder, wheel cylinder, hoses,
metal pipes, and all connections.