Automotive Technology/Brakes

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This material will cover the ASE A5 test.

This is just an outline for the material

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 135 assures the performance but not the design of passenger vehicle brake system.

Hydraulic System Diagnosis and Repair edit

see Brake Hydraulic System Diagnosis and Repair

Master Cylinder edit

(3 Questions)

  • Diagnose Problems with Master Cylinder
    • Poor Stopping
    • Dragging
    • High or Low Pedal
    • Hard Pedal
    • Spongy Pedal
    • Leakage
  • Determine proper response of master cylinder


  • Remove, Repair, Replace
    • Bench bleed a Master Cylinder
    • Measure and adjust Master Cylinder push-rod length

Lines and Hoses edit

(3 Questions)

  • Diagnose
    • Poor stopping
    • Pulling
    • Leaks and Clogs
  • Remove and Replace

Valves and Switches edit

(3 Questions)

  • Diagnose
  • Remove and Replace

Bleeding, Flushing, and Leak Testing edit

(3 Questions)

  • Diagnose problems in the Brake fluid
    • Sponginess
    • Dragging
    • Poor stopping
    • Incorrect Pedal travel
  • Select, handle store and install proper brake fluids
  • Bleed and/or flush hydraulic system
    • Manual
    • Pressure
    • Vacuum
    • surge gravity

Drum Brake Diagnosis and Repair edit

see Drum Brake Diagnosis and Repair

  • Diagnose
    • Hydraulic
    • Mechanical
  • Inspect Drums
  • Machine Drums
  • Parts
    • Brake shoes/linings
    • Wheel cylinder
    • Parking Brake
    • Self-adjusters
    • Springs, Pins, Levers, Clips

Drum Brake Diagnosis and Repair edit

see Drum Brake Diagnosis and Repair

  • Diagnose
    • Hydraulic
    • Mechanical
  • Inspect Drums
  • Machine Drums
  • Parts
    • Brake shoes/linings
    • Wheel cylinder
    • Parking Brake
    • Self-adjusters
    • Springs, Pins, Levers, Clips

Power Assist Units Diagnosis and Repair edit

see Power Assist Units Diagnosis and Repair

  • Diagnose with and without engine running
  • Inspect

Vacuum Power Booster edit

Hydro-boost System and Accumulator edit

Miscellaneous Systems Diagnosis and Repair edit

see Brake Systems Diagnosis and Repair

Pedal Linkage edit

  • Binding, looseness, adjustment

Wheel Bearings edit

  • Wheel shimmy, vibration, noise
  • R&R Wheel Bearing

Parking Brakes edit

  • Adjust Parking brake
  • switch, wiring, brake indicator

Electrical edit

  • Brake switch, lamps, circuits

Electronic Brake Control Systems Diagnosis and Repair edit

see Electronic Brake Control Systems Diagnosis and Repair

  • Diagnose
    • Poor stopping, Wheel lock-up, false activation, noise
    • Pedal feel and travel, pulsation


Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) edit

Traction Control System (TCS) edit

Electronic Stability Control System (ESC) edit

  • Observe electronic brake control system indicator light(s) at startup and during road test; determine if further diagnosis is needed.
  • Diagnose electronic brake control system, electronic control(s), components, and

circuits using on-board diagnosis and/or recommended test equipment; determine needed repairs.

  • Bleed and/or flush the electronic brake control hydraulic system following

manufacturers’ procedures.

  • Remove and install electronic brake control system components following

manufacturers’ procedures and specifications; observe proper placement of components and routing of wiring harness.

  • Test, diagnose and service electronic brake control system sensors (such as

speed, yaw, steering angle, brake pedal position, etc.) and circuits following manufacturers’ recommended procedures (includes output signal, resistance, shorts to voltage/ground, and frequency data.).

  • Diagnose electronic brake control system braking concerns caused by vehicle modifications
    • (wheel/tire size, curb height, final drive ratio, etc.)
    • and other vehicle mechanical and electrical/electronic modifications
    • (communication, security, and radio, etc.).
  • Repair wiring harness and connectors following manufacturers’ procedures.