Hydraulic Brake System Diagnosis

Question 1

List two (2) Alberta Government acts, regulations or programs relating to vehicle safety.

Answer 1

a) Motor Transport Act
b) Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program
c) Commercial Vehicle Standards Alliance

Question 2

A vehicle on which you did a brake job has been involved in an injury accident. The owner can sue your employer and you.

Answer 2

a) true

Question 3

Asbestos is a health hazard. What can you do to protect yourself from this material?

Answer 3

a) Wear a breathing mask, as asbestos affects your lungs.

b) Wash parts with water or a brake cleaning solution. c) Do not use compressed air to clean brake parts.

Question 4

Injuries can occur around heavy equipment and components. How can you protect yourself from injury?

Answer 4

a) Use hoists, jacks, lifting and moving equipment.
b) Have your co-workers assist when lifting and moving large parts.
c) Lift properly -use your legs.

Question 5

Flexible brake lines must not bulge or expand outward under high pressure applications. a) true b) false

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What is meant by the term maximum diameter as it relates to brake drums?

Answer 6

This is the greatest diameter recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (discard diameter).

Question 7

What is meant by the term minimum thickness as it relates to brake rotors?

Answer 7

This is the thinnest the rotor can be as recommended by the manufacturer (discard thickness).

Question 8

What or who are your sources of information regarding a customer's vehicle brake problem(s)? 
a) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
e)

Answer 8

a) the vehicle operator
b) a service advisor
c) a work order
d) your own observations on a walk-around
e) a road test

Question 9

What two (2) methods can you use to detect equipment problems once a customer brings a vehicle to your shop?
a)
b)

Answer 9

a) vehicle walk around; look and touch

b) vehicle road tests, listen and fee

Question 10

What safety precautions should you observe before working on or under a vehicle?
a)
b)
c)

Answer 10

a) Use recommended jacking points and an adequate capacity jack or hoist to lift the vehicle.
b) Place on correct capacity axle stands.
c) Use proper lifting and moving equipment.

Question 11

Why would you only work on one brake assembly at a time on the same axle?

Answer 11

The assembled side is a reference for checking your work.

Question 12

Drum diameter, out-of-round and taper are three checks used to determine brake drum condition?

a) true
b) false

Answer 12

. a) true

Question 13

A brake drum that has a crack in it can be welded and returned to service.

a) true
b) false

Answer 13

b) false; Never weld a brake drum.

Question 14

A new brake drum and a used brake drum can be used on the same axle? Explain your answer.

a) true
b) false

Answer 14

Not normally unless the worn drum is within 0.010” (0.254mm) of the new drum diameter.

Question 15

After machining, brake drums should be sanded with a 240 grit sandpaper. Why is this done?

Answer 15

This removes cutting grooves and creates a non-directional finish so the shoes do not move sideways during application.

Question 16

If brake return springs are discolored and slightly bent, they can be safely straightened and returned to service.

a) true
b) false

Answer 16

b) false; Springs will fail in service or not provide proper tension.

Question 17

Grease or oil on brake linings or on drum or disc friction surfaces can be wiped off with Varsol and the parts will remain serviceable.

a) true
b) false

Answer 17

b) false; Varsol itself is oil based and will contaminate linings and friction

Question 18

During inspection, brake rotors are measured for:

a) parallelism.
b) lateral run out.
c) rotor thickness.
d) maximum diameter.
e) all but d are correct.

Answer 18

e) all but d are correct.

Question 19

19. What two methods are used to mount brake linings to brake shoes and brake pads?
    a) Bolts and Machine screws
    b) Bonding and Riveting
    c) Brazing and Welding
    d) High temperature and High pressure

Answer 19

bonding and riveting.

Question 20

Prior to pad removal and caliper disassembly, what precaution should be taken before pushing the pistons back into the caliper bores?

Answer 20

Remove about½ the volume of brake fluid from the disc brake reservoir in the master cylinder.

Question 21

When the caliper is unfastened from the anchor plate what safety precaution should be followed?

Answer 21

Hang the caliper from a stable point to prevent damage to the flex hose

Question 22

Rotor thickness should be the same from one side of the vehicle to the other on the same axle.

a) true
b) false

Answer 22

True

Question 23

Wheel bearings which are adjusted too loosely can have a negative effect on braking.

a) true
b) false

Answer 23

True

Question 24

Explain why wear indicators are used with disc brake pads?

Answer 24

Wear indicators provide an audible and/or visual warning ofreduced pad lining thickness. This helps prevent rotor damage.

Question 25

The diaphragm seal between the filler cover and the master cylinder body prevents outside air from contacting the brake fluid. This prevents water vapour from contaminating the brake fluid.

a) true
b) false

Answer 25

True

Question 26

Aluminum master cylinders and aluminum wheel cylinders should not be honed as part of a repair process.

a) true
b) false

Answer 26

True

Question 27

What fluid is suitable for use when honing a brake cylinder?

Answer 27

Brake Fluid

Question 28

Grease or oil on rubber brake parts poses no problem for the parts or the system.

a) true
b) false

Answer 28

b) false; Grease and oil can cause rubber parts to swell.