Description & Operation

WARNING: Brake friction materials such as brake linings or pads contain abrasive fibers which can lead to illnesses. Do not create dust by grinding or sanding, or cleaning the pads with compressed air. Wash away or vacuum up brake dust. Avoid breathing any brake friction fibers or dust.

WARNING: Brake fluid is poisonous, highly corrosive and dangerous to the environment. Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when working with brake fluid. Do not siphon brake fluid with your mouth. Use a siphon system dedicated to brake fluid only. Immediately clean away any fluid spilled on painted surfaces and wash with water. Dispose of brake fluid properly.

CAUTION: Do not reuse self-locking nuts, bolts or fasteners. They are designed to be used only once and may fail if reused. Always replace them with new self-locking nuts. Ensure cleanliness and only use rags which do not lose lint. Ensure that no oils or grease enter the brake system. These substances would cause complete failure of the entire brake system. When cleaning brake components with brake cleaning fluid, none must enter the brake system.

NOTE: For information on Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS), see appropriate ANTI-LOCK article.

Brake system is hydraulically-operated, using a tandem master cylinder and power brake booster. All models are equipped with four piston front, and single piston rear disc brake calipers. A brake pressure regulator is used to reduce fluid pressure to rear brakes. Parking brake is cable actuated on rear brake and consists of internally mounted parking brake shoes.

The power flow regulator taps a slight delivery flow of 1.5 pints (.7 ltr.) per minute from the operating circuit of the power steering and charges the hydraulic reservoir in a pressure range without impairing the function of the power steering.

The hydraulic oil volume stored under pressure is available for the booster to support the operating force and is called by operating the bolted standard tandem brake master cylinder.

If the power steering pump fails, sufficient reserve pressure will be stored in the hydraulic reservoir to be able to execute several braking actions with full brake boosting support.

After consumption of this reserve pressure, the brakes can still be applied, but without boost and therefore with considerably more force on the brake pedal.