Brakes

The vehicles covered by this manual are equipped with hydraulically operated front and rear brake systems. The front and rear brakes are disc type. Both the front and rear brakes are self adjusting; disc brakes automatically compensate for pad wear.

Hydraulic system

The hydraulic system consists of two separate circuits. The master cylinder has separate reservoirs for the two circuits, and, in the event of a leak or failure in one hydraulic circuit, the other circuit will remain operative.

Power brake booster

The power brake booster on models with a gasoline engine uses engine manifold vacuum to provide assistance to the brakes. It is mounted on the firewall in the engine com­partment, directly behind the master cylinder.

Diesel engines, which have no manifold vacuum, are equipped with a hydraulic brake booster that relies on pressure provided by the power steering pump.

Parking brake

The parking brake mechanically oper­ates the rear brakes only. The parking brake cables actuate a pair of parking brake shoes mounted inside the drum (hub) portion of each rear brake disc.

Service

After completing any operation involv­ing disassembly of any part of the brake sys­tem, always test drive the vehicle to check for proper braking performance before resum­ing normal driving. When testing the brakes, perform the tests on a clean, dry, flat surface. Conditions other than these can lead to inac­curate test results.

Test the brakes at various speeds with both light and heavy pedal pressure. The vehicle should stop evenly without pulling to one side or the other.

Tires, vehicle load and wheel alignment are factors which also affect braking perfor­mance.

Precautions

There are some general cautions and warnings involving the brake system on this vehicle:

a) Use only brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or 4 specifications.

b) The brake pads and linings contain fibers which are hazardous to your health if inhaled. Whenever you work on brake system components, clean all parts with brake system cleaner. Do not allow the fine dust to become airborne. Also, wear an approved filtering mask.

c) Safety should be paramount whenever any servicing of the brake components is performed. Do not use parts or fas­teners which are not in perfect condi­tion, and be sure that all clearances and torque specifications are adhered to. If you are at all unsure about a certain pro­cedure, seek professional advice. Upon completion of any brake system work, test the brakes carefully in a controlled area before putting the vehicle into nor­mal service. If a problem is suspected in the brake system, don’t drive the vehicle until it’s fixed.