Brakes and Traction Control: Description and Operation
BRAKES - BASEDESCRIPTION
The base brake system consists of the following components:
^ Brake pedal
^ Power brake booster
^ Master cylinder
^ Brake tubes and hoses
^ Proportioning valve (non-ABS vehicles only)
^ Disc brakes
^ Drum brakes
^ Brake lamp switch
^ Brake fluid level switch
^ Parking brakes
Front disc brakes control the braking of the front wheels; rear braking is controlled by rear drum brakes or rear disc brakes depending on options.
The hydraulic brake system is diagonally split on both the non-antilock braking systems and antilock braking systems. That means the left front and right rear brakes are on one hydraulic circuit and the right front and left rear are on the other.
Optional antilock brakes are available with or without traction control. ABS components are described in detail in ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.
DESCRIPTION - BASE BRAKES (EXPORT)
Four-Wheel Disc Antilock Brakes are standard on all models.
OPERATION - BASE BRAKES
When a vehicle needs to be stopped, the driver applies the brake pedal. The brake pedal pushes the input rod of the power brake booster into the booster. The booster uses vacuum to ease pedal effort as force is transferred through the booster to the master cylinder. The booster's output rod pushes in the master cylinder's primary and secondary pistons applying hydraulic pressure through the chassis brake tubes to the brakes at each tire and wheel assembly.
The parking brakes are foot-operated. When applied, the parking brake lever pulls on cables that actuate brake shoes at each rear wheel. These shoes come in contact with a hub mounted drum (drum for disc/drum brakes or drum-in-hat for disc/disc brakes) and hold it in place.
WARNING
WARNING: DUST AND DIRT ACCUMULATING ON BRAKE PARTS DURING NORMAL USE MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS FROM PRODUCTION OR AFTERMARKET BRAKE LININGS. BREATHING EXCESSIVE CONCENTRATIONS OF ASBESTOS FIBERS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM. EXERCISE CARE WHEN SERVICING BRAKE PARTS. DO NOT SAND OR GRIND BRAKE LINING UNLESS EQUIPMENT USED IS DESIGNED TO CONTAIN THE DUST RESIDUE. DO NOT CLEAN BRAKE PARTS WITH COMPRESSED AIR OR BY DRY BRUSHING. CLEANING SHOULD BE DONE BY DAMPENING THE BRAKE COMPONENTS WITH A FINE MIST OF WATER, THEN WIPING THE BRAKE COMPONENTS CLEAN WITH A DAMPENED CLOTH. DISPOSE OF CLOTH AND ALL RESIDUE CONTAINING ASBESTOS FIBERS IN AN IMPERMEABLE CONTAINER WITH THE APPROPRIATE LABEL. FOLLOW PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) FOR THE HANDLING, PROCESSING, AND DISPOSING OF DUST OR DEBRIS THAT MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS.