Note: In addition to regular inspections, the brake system should be inspected each time a wheel is changed or malfunctions occur. From a safety point of view, checking the brake system is the most important procedure when servicing your vehicle.
Symptoms of malfunctions in the brake system
1. Disc brake pads are equipped with built-in indicators. which, at a certain level of wear, emit a high-frequency squealing or grinding sound. As soon as you hear such a sound, immediately change the pads, otherwise the brake discs may be damaged.
2. Any of the following symptoms may signal impending brake failure:
- the car pulls to one side when the brake pedal is pressed
- brakes make a squealing or rubbing sound when they are used
- too much brake pedal travel
- the pedal pulsates, brake fluid leaks are noticeable (usually on the inside of a tire or wheel)
If any of these symptoms are noticeable, have your brake system checked immediately.
Brake lines and hoses
Note: The brake system uses steel piping, except for the flexible hoses on the front wheels and connectors on the rear axle. It is very important to check these pipelines periodically.
3. Park the vehicle on a level surface and turn off the engine.
4. Remove the wheel covers. Loosen but do not remove the mounting nuts on all four wheels.
5. Raise the vehicle and place it securely on jack stands.
6. Remove the wheels (see "Jacking and towing").
7. Check all brake hoses and tubes for cracks, peeling of the outer coating, leaks, abrasions and swelling. Check all threaded ends for leaks and make sure the mounting bolts and brake hose clamps are intact.
8. If damage and leaks are found, they should be identified immediately. Detailed information on the repair of the brake system is given in chapter 9.
Front disc type brakes
9. Raise the front of the vehicle and jack it up securely. Apply the parking brake and remove the front wheels.
10. Inspect disc brake caliper and pads. Each caliper has inner and outer pads - all of them need to be checked.
11. The thickness of the lining is determined visually by looking through the hole in the caliper (see picture). The pads should be replaced if the thickness of the cover material is less than or equal to (1/8 inch), or if longitudinal stripes are visible along their entire length (see chapter 9). Please note that the cover material (overlays), riveted or attached to a metal plate (block) - therefore, the thickness of the metal is not taken into account during measurements.
12. Check up a condition of a brake disk. Look for deep scratches, nicks and burnt areas (they look like colorless or have a blue color). Noticing damage or wear, the disk is removed and restored, or replaced with a new one. For more detailed inspection and repair procedures, see chapter 9.
Rear drum brakes
13. Checking the thickness of the brake pads is carried out after the rubber pad covering the inspection hole is bent (see picture). A complete inspection requires the removal of the brake drums as described below.
14 Remove the rear brake drums as recommended in chapter 9.
Warning: as a result of wear of the brake linings, dust is formed, which settles on the elements of the brake system. It contains asbestos and is harmful to health. Do not blow it off with compressed air or inhale it. Do not wash off dust with benzine or thinner. The dust is washed off into the sump with the help of a brake system cleaner. Wiping the brakes clean with a damp (solvent impregnated) rags, store the rags and solvent in the sealed, labeled container. If possible, replace parts with asbestos-containing ones.
15. Determine the lining thickness on the rear brake pad (see picture) and check that there are no traces of brake fluid or grease contamination. If the lining thickness is about (1/16 inch) - from the place of fastening or metal pad, replace the brake pads with new ones. The pads should also be changed if they are cracked, shiny (shiny material surface) or contaminated with brake fluid or grease. The replacement procedure is described in chapter 9.
16. Check the shoe return springs and adjustment mechanism to make sure they are properly installed and in working order. Weak or deformed springs, if not replaced, can cause sticking and premature pad wear.
17. Check for leaks in the wheel cylinders by carefully peeling off the rubber casings. If brake fluid is found under the casing, the wheel cylinder must be changed.
18. Check the drums for cracks, nicks, deep scratches, and hard spots that look like slight local discoloration of the material (For surface restoration details, see chapter 9).
19. Install the brake drums as recommended in chapter 9.
20. Install the wheels, but do not lower the vehicle.
Parking brake
Note: The parking brake cable and linkage should be checked and lubricated periodically. These procedures prevent the parking brake cable adjuster and linkage from binding.
Lubricant
21. Apply the parking brake.
22. Apply multi-purpose grease to the parking brake link, adjuster, connections, and parts of the parking brake cable that come into contact with other parts of the vehicle (see picture).
23. Release the parking brake and repeat the lubrication procedure.
24. Remove the jack stands and lower the car.
25. Tighten the vehicle wheel nuts.
Examination
26. The simplest method of checking the parking brake is to park the vehicle on a steep slope, apply the parking brake, and place the shift lever in neutral. If the brake cannot prevent the vehicle from rolling, adjust it according to chapter 9.
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